Laser shocks revise diamond melting point, solving a decades-long discrepancy
Researchers used ultraviolet laser shock compression on tiny synthetic diamond plates, measuring changes in reflectivity and glow to map the diamond’s melting temperature with unprecedented precision. They found the melting point is more than 1,300°F (about 700°C) lower than previously thought, bringing it in line with theoretical predictions and resolving a long-standing gap between data and models. The findings have implications for nuclear fusion experiments that rely on diamond capsules and for understanding the interiors of ice giant planets like Uranus and Neptune, where diamond-like carbon behavior under extreme pressures may occur.
