Negative Temperature Achieved

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SUMMARY

Scientists have achieved a "negative temperature" system, which operates below absolute zero, indicating a state that is hotter than infinitely high temperature. This phenomenon raises questions about its practical applications, such as potentially heating already hot objects or cooling electronic components. However, it is established that negative temperature systems cannot cool materials already at absolute zero, as they are near maximum energy and cannot absorb more heat. The discussion concludes that while negative temperature may have theoretical implications, practical applications remain uncertain.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of thermodynamics and temperature scales
  • Familiarity with quantum mechanics and energy states
  • Knowledge of fusion processes, particularly D-T fuel pellets
  • Basic principles of heat transfer and energy absorption
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  • Research the implications of negative temperature in quantum systems
  • Explore the role of lasers in heating D-T fuel pellets for fusion
  • Investigate potential applications of negative temperature in cooling technologies
  • Study the thermodynamic principles governing absolute zero and energy states
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Physicists, researchers in quantum mechanics, engineers working on cooling technologies, and anyone interested in advanced thermodynamic concepts.

sanman
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"Negative Temperature" Achieved

I was reading this article which says that scientists have recently achieved a "negative temperature" system, which apparently has a temperature which is "below absolute zero":

http://arstechnica.com/science/2013/01/scientists-create-negative-temperature-system/

So this seems to get into some legalistic debates on what temperature actually is, and how "negative absolute temperature" is actually hotter than infinitely high temperature, etc. I'm still parsing through it, trying to understand.

What are the practical applications of this, if any?
Could it be possible to use this "negative temperature" to heat up things which are already intensely hot?
Could it be possible to use this to cold down something which is already at absolute zero?

Could we use this to cool electronic or laser components more efficiently?
Could we use this to heat up D-T fuel pellets for fusion?
Could we use it for anything practical?
 
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sanman said:
Could it be possible to use this "negative temperature" to heat up things which are already intensely hot?

Maybe. I think it depends on how hot the object already is that you want to heat up further.

Could it be possible to use this to cold down something which is already at absolute zero?

I don't think so. First, you can't reach absolute zero. And second, as article states a negative temperature system is already near maximum energy. It can't really absorb more. You would end up heating the material you wanted to cool.

Could we use this to heat up D-T fuel pellets for fusion?

You could heat the pellets up, but D-T fusion pellets require an enormous burst of heating to cause them to implode. I don't see any way to make this work using a physical material to provide the heating. Lasers are used because they can deliver the energy quick enough and evenly enough for the implosion to work correctly.

Could we use it for anything practical?

No idea.
 


There is already a thread on this: [thread]662268[/thread]
 
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