On some exotic physical properties of the 'extreme' element plutonium

The physical, chemical and mechanical properties of the element Pu (Z=94) are quite exotic and 'extreme' because of the presence of correlated 5f electrons. In this talk, we address some of these and describe some of own work. In particular, we explain for α-Pu, the temperature dependence of its bulk modulus, the very high value of its pressure derivative using the Birch law, determine the correct value of the Gruneisen parameter from first-principles equation of state calculations and reinterpret the crystal structure of the high pressure phase to be that of distorted α-U (Am IV) phase. (author)