The laser is capable of heating up to 15 million degrees Celsius

A new high-intensity laser can heat matter at a temperature of tens of millions of degrees Celsius as in the solar core for a fraction of a millionth of a second.

The ability of the laser to heat

According to IFL Science, nuclear fusion reactions occur spontaneously inside the core of stars under extreme temperatures. For example, the sun has a core temperature of 15 million degrees Celsius. Atoms of lighter elements bump into each other, their nuclei melting and producing heavier elements. In that process, energy is released. However, to activate this process, the nuclei must initially oscillate sufficiently to interact with each other.

Although some of the physical processes within the Sun can lower the ignition temperature to initiate fusion reactions, the amount of heat needed remains high. A group of theoretical physicists at the Royal College London, England, has sought to overcome this problem.

In their study, researchers said their new laser technology could heat matter at a solar core temperature of just under 20 billionths of a second. This time is 100 times faster than the current rate in fusion experiments conducted by the National Ignition Facility (NIF) of the United States.

Most lasers target electrons inside the material, causing them to oscillate, leading to increased general temperatures. The new high intensity laser focuses on the material's ions, using electrostatic shock to force them to accelerate and shatter at different speeds. As a result, the ions collide, producing friction and heat. According to the researchers, the new laser technology gives the best performance on materials including two types of ions such as plastic.

If it can prove effective, this laser technology will deliver the fastest heating speed ever and is a precursor to the rapid development of nuclear fusion reactor industries. power production.