A giant black hole can spray beams of high-energy particles (the relativistic jet), which has the status of a giant plasma, can exit into space. But these plasma jets are created on Earth in the laboratories of the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and the European Organization for Nuclear Research.
Black holes are known objects in the universe that have extremely high gravity, capable of swallowing anything, even light. But not all matter is sucked into the black hole. Because there will be some material that will be sprayed as well. In some cases, this expelled material then forms a jet at speeds approaching the speed of light. This plane has plasma. Which consists of electrons and positrons (a pair of antimatter electrons), but the appearance of jets, including the consequences that follow. This matter remains mysterious and difficult to study through astronomical observation. Or even computer simulations
With such limitations so scientists at CERN built a jet in their laboratory. This is done using a device called HiRadMat is short for High Radiation Material.) The process begins with the research team capturing 300 billion protons from the Super Proton Synchrotron to create a jet. It is then fired at a target made of graphite and tantalum. This process causes particle interactions. This creates about 10 trillion electron-positron pairs, which is more than enough to make it start behaving like a real astrophysical plasma.
Gianluca Gregori, co-author of the study, said: The basic idea of this simulation is to simulate astrophysical phenomena. This is because the knowledge that humans previously had came almost entirely from observation and computer simulations. The exact physics cannot actually be examined, so laboratory experiments like this will allow a better understanding of the details.
Understanding the physics involved in this plasma jet can provide insight into how plasma jets form. Including its development and impact on its surroundings. This will lead to better models of human understanding of the universe.
The research was published in the June 12, 2024 issue of Nature Communication.
Image source CERN, NASA/JPL-Caltech