How do atoms alter during a supernova explosion?
Osaka University
For this research, Anatoly FAENOV of the Division of Photon Science and Technology of the Institute for Academic Initiatives and Mamiko NISHIUCHI of the JAEA's Quantum Beam Science Center, along with an international collaborative research team, performed an experiment to demonstrate that it is possible to remove the two most deeply bound electrons from atoms, emptying the inner most quantum shell and leading to a distinctive plasma state through the generation of ultra-bright x-rays. The irradiation of an incredibly powerful high contrast J-KAREN laser beam to a solid matter allowed successfully to attain X-rays with a radiative temperature of 15,000,000°C, and a plasma state of 3,000,000°C. In addition, it was discovered that multiple inner-shell electron excitations were generated, causing an explosive increase in the number of intense X-rays.
Through the results of this research it was shown that atoms can be empty from the inside out by ultra-intense visible lasers. The behavior of produced exotic atoms in an extreme state has come to light, which can provide a clue for understanding extreme states occurring in outer space, such as those in supernova explosions. Moreover, through the understanding that the generation efficiency of x-rays explosively increases in proportion with the power of the laser beam, this opens doors for the utilization of x-rays with the unprecedented intensities reached by the world's compact femtosecond leading laser facilities, which is expected to lead to industrial application such as more precise non-destructive x-ray testing and construction of new materials.
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