Exotic magnesium (Mg) structures observed at extreme pressures (over three times the Earth’s center pressure) at the National Ignition Facility support decade-old theories that quantum-mechanical forces would localize valence electron density (gold) into spaces between Mg atoms (grey) to form "electrides.” Image by Adam Connell/LLNL.
(Download Image)Under pressure: solid matter takes on new behavior
Investigating how solid matter behaves at enormous pressures, such as those found in the deep interiors of giant planets, is a great experimental challenge. To help address that challenge, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) researchers and collaborators took a deep dive in understanding these extreme pressures.
The work was just published in Nature Physics with LLNL scientist Martin Gorman as lead author.
“Our results represent a significant experimental advance; we were able to investigate the structural behavior of magnesium (Mg) at extreme pressures — over three times higher than at the Earth’s core — which were previously only accessible theoretically,” Gorman said. “Our observations confirm theoretical predictions for Mg and demonstrate how TPa pressures — 10 million times atmospheric pressure — force materials to adopt fundamentally-new chemical and structural behaviors.” Read more...
