HIBEF provides insights into the structure of materials and into very fast natural processes, such as those that take place in samples of warm dense matter. Credit: HZDR / Science Communication Lab
The extraordinarily high pressures and temperatures required for fusion processes are achieved by compressing an initially very cold capsule filled with the hydrogen isotopes deuterium and tritium. During the fusion reaction, the hydrogen enters a particular state for a certain time – that of warm dense matter . This realm, located roughly between condensed matter and hotin terms of pressure and temperature, is Dornheim’s field of expertise.
Warm dense matter, as can be found, for example, in the cores of planets and stars, is researched experimentally at large-scale research facilities such as theat the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in the USA. At these facilities, WDM can be generated for fractions of a second using powerful laser flashes. Dornheim’s team is cooperating with both institutions.