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Record Temperatures Achieved in Gold

Researchers heated gold to 19,000 kelvins, challenging long-standing physics principles.

July 23, 2025 at 03:00 PM

Physicists Blast Gold to Astonishing Temperatures, Overturning 40 Years of Physics

A breakthrough study reveals gold can withstand extreme temperatures, challenging long-standing physics principles.

Physicists Achieve Record Temperatures in Gold Experiments

Researchers from the University of Nevada, Reno, have heated a nanometers-thick sample of gold to an astonishing 19,000 kelvins, far surpassing the metal's usual melting point of 1,300 kelvins. By using an ultra-fast laser for only 45 femtoseconds, scientists managed to keep the gold solid in these extreme temperatures. This result contradicts previous theories about the limits of solid materials. The study published in Nature indicates that this phenomenon highlights a new regime in physics for superheating materials.

Key Takeaways

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Gold can now withstand temperatures of 19,000 kelvins.

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This challenges 40 years of established physics about solid materials.

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The experiment was done using a laser pulse lasting 45 femtoseconds.

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New methods for measuring extreme temperatures have emerged.

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Further studies on materials simulating stellar conditions are possible.

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Impacts on understanding planetary cores and fusion technology are significant.

"We were totally shocked when we saw how hot it actually got."

Thomas White from the University of Nevada reacts to the unexpected temperature results of gold.

"The scale of superheating observed suggests a genuinely new regime."

Thomas White emphasizes the significance of the experiment's findings.

"The biggest lasting contribution is going to be that we now have a method to really accurately measure these temperatures."

Bob Nagler discusses the implications of the new temperature measurement technique.

"Melting under such ultrafast, ultrasmall, ultracomplex conditions could be overinterpreted."

Sheng-Nian Luo warns about possible misinterpretations of the results.

This groundbreaking research not only shocks established beliefs about the thermal limits of solids but opens doors for future studies into high-temperature physics. The implications stretch from understanding planetary interiors to aiding fusion technology. The quick laser pulse time played a critical role in this experiment, showing how quickly materials can be influenced under specific conditions. Such findings may inspire new approaches to energy generation and material sciences.