Compression of D2 to 460 GPa and Isotopic Effects in the Path to Metal Hydrogen

How are nuclear quantum fluctuations affecting the properties of dense hydrogen approaching metallization? We report here Raman spectroscopy and synchrotron infrared absorption measurements on deuterium up to 460 GPa at 80 K. By comparing to a previous similar study on hydrogen, isotopic effects on the electronic and vibrational properties in phase III are disclosed. Also, evidence of a probable transition to metal deuterium is observed, shifted by about 35 GPa compared to that in hydrogen. Advanced calculations, quantifying a reduction of the band gap caused by nuclear quantum fluctuations, are compared to the present data.