Gold Explodes Under Giant Lasers: Physicists Unintentionally Challenge Established Physics Model

Scientists at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory recently conducted an incredible experiment where they heated gold to an astonishing 33,740 degrees Fahrenheit (18,726 degrees Celsius). This temperature is over 14 times its boiling point! For a brief moment, they believed they might have violated the laws of physics, but luckily, they didn’t. Instead, they shattered long-held theories in physical chemistry.

This groundbreaking study, published in Nature, introduces a new technique to measure the temperature of matter in extreme states—those involving high temperatures, pressures, or densities. By superheating gold, researchers found it existed in a unique state between solid and liquid, suggesting that under certain conditions, gold may have no superheating limits. This revelation could have significant implications for fields like space travel and nuclear chemistry.

The experiment had two main steps. First, the scientists used a laser to superheat a gold sample, which prevented it from expanding—something it would typically do when heated. Then, they employed ultrabright X-rays to analyze the gold. By observing how the X-rays scattered, they were able to measure the speed and temperature of the gold atoms.

Traditionally, physics suggested that structures like gold couldn’t exceed three times their boiling point—about 1,948 degrees Fahrenheit (1,064 degrees Celsius)—in terms of superheating. Beyond that temperature, it was believed, the gold should “explode” due to a phenomenon known as “entropy catastrophe.” However, this new experiment exceeded expectations by reaching temperatures that far surpassed this limit.

Thomas White, the lead author from the University of Nevada, Reno, recalls the team’s surprise when they analyzed the data. “Is this axis correct? That’s…really hot, isn’t it?” he said, reflecting on the unexpected results. Though the superheated state lasted only a few trillionths of a second and did eventually explode, it was long enough to derive meaningful insights.

The concept of measuring temperature itself is fascinating. As Bob Nagler, a senior author on the study, pointed out, temperatures are often gauged by their effects rather than directly measuring them. This limitation complicates the study of hot, dense matter in extreme environments like the cores of stars or fusion reactors.

The practical applications of this study might be vast. For example, knowing the temperature of materials used in spacecraft could enhance engineering and design. White highlighted the challenges faced in replicating extreme conditions in labs, noting that many systems can quickly become unstable.

Now, thanks to this new technique, scientists can directly measure temperatures in experiments designed to understand or utilize these extreme conditions better. The potential can help improve nuclear fusion research and other areas that might benefit from this newfound knowledge.

As they continue their work, the team plans to explore other materials, such as silver and iron, to gather further insights. Their findings could pave the way for more groundbreaking discoveries in both physics and material science.

For additional details on related research, check out this study in Nature and more about SLAC’s cutting-edge work here.

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