Giant Lasers Heat Gold to Unimaginable Temperatures

In an astounding experiment at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, scientists wielded massive lasers to heat gold to a staggering 14 times its boiling point. Initially fearing they might have shattered the laws of physics, they soon discovered they had broken something else entirely: a decades-old model in physical chemistry regarding the fundamental properties of matter.

A First in Extreme Temperature Measurement

For the first time, researchers showcased a groundbreaking method to directly measure the temperature of materials in extreme states, characterized by exceptionally high temperatures, pressures, or densities. Their results suggest that under specific conditions, gold can be superheated beyond its previously accepted limits, remaining in a peculiar state between solid and liquid.

Defying the 'Three Times' Limit

The experiment’s findings directly contradict a well-known theory that stated metals like gold could not be heated beyond three times their boiling point—1,948 degrees Fahrenheit (1,064 degrees Celsius)—before suffering a catastrophic entropy breakdown. Surprisingly, this new research revealed the ability to heat gold to an eye-popping 33,740 degrees Fahrenheit (18,726 degrees Celsius), a feat far surpassing traditional theories.

Thomas White, the study’s lead author, recounted the moment of revelation: 2017; ;Wait a minute. Is this axis correct? That’s…really hot, isn’t it?'

A Momentary Victory in the Name of Science

Though this extreme state existed for only a few trillionths of a second and resulted in a spectacular explosion, it was long enough to provide valuable insights. "If you could prevent it from expanding, you could theoretically heat it indefinitely," White mused, fully embracing his role in explosive scientific discovery.

New Techniques Open Doors to Future Research

This new method paves the way for understanding temperature in extreme conditions that often challenge our current physics comprehension. Bob Nagler, a senior author of the study, remarked that temperature measurement typically relies on indirect methods, making their direct measurement technique crucial for studying phenomena like the cores of stars or nuclear fusion.

Exciting Prospects Ahead

With their innovative thermometer-like technique, the team plans to conduct more experiments involving other metals such as silver and iron, promising more exciting data in the future. "This exciting work could transform how we experiment with fusion reactions and the materials involved," White shared, highlighting the vast potential of their findings.

As this groundbreaking research continues to unfold, it promises to reshape our understanding of physical chemistry and explore new frontiers in science.