Scientists melted a diamond and cracked a secret of ice giants

Scientists melted a diamond and cracked a secret of ice giants. The experiment, conducted at the University of Rochester's Omega Laser Facility, used the Omega Laser to vaporize the outer layer of a diamond sample. The vaporization generated a shock wave that compressed the diamond to pressures more than three times that of Earth's core, with temperatures equivalent to the surface of the sun. The experiment provided the first solid experimental data on the precise pressures and temperatures needed for diamond rain to occur. The researchers confirmed that the measured melting point of diamond was consistent with modern quantum physics-based models. The experiment also revealed that under the right conditions, diamonds would float on a sea of carbon. The findings have implications for understanding the interiors of ice giants and for advancing nuclear fusion energy.

• The experiment used a diamond similar to the "target" in NIF experiments.
• The researchers found that diamonds can float on a sea of carbon.
• The experiment confirmed that the measured melting point of diamond is consistent with quantum physics-based models.

This work has practical implications for nuclear fusion. The findings could help in understanding how to achieve a perfectly melted diamond capsule for fusion energy. The experiment also shows that a slower, gentler initial shock can still achieve the desired outcome. The results could lead to a significant increase in fusion energy yield, though it is still orders of magnitude off from the "engineering breakeven" threshold. The experiment provides valuable data for understanding the interiors of ice giants and for advancing fusion energy.

AI-generated summary of the original article — see the source for the full story.