In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have shed new light on the mysterious properties of superionic water, a rare state of water that may hold the key to understanding the magnetic fields of giant planets. When subjected to extreme temperatures and pressures, water transforms into superionic water, characterized by a rigid oxygen framework and freely moving hydrogen ions.
This unusual phase of water exhibits exceptional electrical conductivity, making it a prime candidate for explaining the enigmatic magnetic fields surrounding ice giant planets like Uranus and Neptune. Recent studies have revealed that superionic water's structure is far more complex than previously thought. Instead of forming a single, orderly pattern, the oxygen atoms assemble into a mixed structure comprising face-centered cubic regions and hexagonal close-packed layers. This hybrid and irregular sequence can only be detected using advanced X-ray lasers. To uncover these details, researchers conducted two separate experiments at the Matter in Extreme Conditions (MEC) instrument at LCLS in the US and the HED-HIBEF instrument at European XFEL. These powerful facilities enabled scientists to subject water to pressures exceeding 1. 5 million atmospheres and heat it to several thousand degrees Celsius, capturing snapshots of its atomic structure within trillionths of a second.
The findings align closely with advanced computer simulations, demonstrating that superionic water can adopt multiple structural ← →
When water is exposed to temperatures of several thousand degrees Celsius and pressures reaching millions of atmospheres, it undergoes a dramatic ...You might also find this interesting: Check here
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