Researchers have determined that previous measurements of diamond’s melting point were significantly inaccurate, correcting a scientific discrepancy that has puzzled experts for two decades. Using advanced laser techniques, scientists discovered that the material melts at approximately 1,300 degrees Fahrenheit lower than earlier experiments had indicated. This breakthrough aligns experimental findings with theoretical predictions, resolving a major inconsistency in the field.
The team employed ultraviolet lasers to subject synthetic diamond samples to extreme shock waves, generating temperatures hotter than the sun’s surface and pressures exceeding those at Neptune and Uranus’s centers. As the diamond underwent these conditions, its optical properties shifted from transparent to reflective, signaling the phase change. By combining this visual transformation with measurements of thermal radiation and atomic structure, researchers achieved unprecedented precision in determining the melting point at approximately 12,140 degrees Fahrenheit.
The findings also revealed that diamond doesn’t transition into a different carbon form before liquefying, contrary to some previous theories. Instead, at certain pressure levels, solid diamond chunks can coexist with liquid metallic carbon—a scenario similar to ice floating in water. This discovery carries implications beyond theoretical science, offering insights into the interiors of ice giant planets like Uranus and Neptune, where scientists believe diamond precipitation and metallic carbon oceans may exist. Additionally, the research advances understanding of conditions necessary for nuclear fusion development.
Originally reported by Livescience →
About the Author
