We calculate the equation of state of dense deuterium with two ab initio simulations techniques, path integral Monte Carlo and density functional theory molecular dynamics, in the density range of 0.67 < rho < 1.60 gcc. We derive the double shock Hugoniot and compare with the recent laser-driven double shock wave experiments by Mostovych et al. We find excellent agreement between the two types of microscopic simulations but a significant discrepancy with the laser-driven shock measurements.
Phys. Rev. Lett. 87 (2001) 275502.