Miniature universe was born in the laboratory

Scientists at the US National Accelerator Laboratory (SLAC) reconstruct some of the important events of the universe, helping to prove or reject many theories and predictions about the universe.

Siegfried Glenzer, the head of the high-energy density research unit, and his colleagues successfully replicated the meteorite's collision with the Earth's surface. Because graphite can turn into diamond under high pressure, scientists predict when a meteorite collides with graphite on the ground, it can produce lonsdaleite.

Miniature universe in the laboratory.(Photo: SLAC).

By placing a shock wave inside the graphite sample and compressing it with a powerful laser pulse, Glenzer's team turned graphite into lonsdaleite, a special diamond that is harder than conventional diamond , proving the theory of natural impact jelly.

According to Science Alert, the scientists also recreated the existence of giant gas planets like Jupiter by observing the phase transition of liquid hydrogen from a non-conductive state to normal conditions into a conductive state. at high pressure and temperature.

In this experiment, the Glenzer used liquid deuterium, a less stable isotope of hydrogen, then quickly heated and compressed it using high-energy Janus lasers. With pressures above 250,000 atmospheres and temperatures of more than 3,800 degrees Celsius, scientists found that deuterium turned into a conductive state like metal.

"Understanding this process helps people better understand the formation of planets and the evolution of the solar system," Glenzer said. At SLAC, researchers conduct many experiments to clarify the formation of planets, the impact of important events as well as other processes in the universe.