An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : Our Work : Areas of Research : Plasma Physics

    Plasma Physics
Phone: (202) 767-5635

 

Overview

The Plasma Physics Division conducts broad theoretical and experimental programs of basic and applied research in plasma physics, laboratory discharge, and space plasmas, intense electron and ion beams and photon sources, atomic physics, pulsed power sources, laser physics, advanced spectral diagnostics, and nonlinear systems. 

The effort of the Division is concentrated on a few closely coordinated theoretical and experimental programs. Considerable emphasis is placed on large-scale numerical simulations related to plasma dynamics; ionospheric, magnetospheric, and atmospheric dynamics; nuclear weapons effects; inertial confinement fusion; atomic physics; plasma processing; nonlinear dynamics and chaos; free electron lasers and other advanced radiation sources; advanced accelerator concepts; and atmospheric laser propagation.

Core Capabilities 

  • Radiation Hydrodynamics - The principal emphasis is in the development and application of theoretical models and state-of-the-art numerical simulations combining magnetohydrodynamics, high energy density physics, atomic and radiation physics, and spectroscopy.
  • Laser Plasma - Primary areas of research include physics underpinnings of laser fusion, high-energy-gain laser-inertial- fusion target designs, experiments and simulations of laser-matter interactions at high intensity, advancing the science and technologies of high-energy krypton fluoride and argon fluoride lasers, advancing the technologies of durable high-repetition-rate pulse power and electron-beam diodes for laser pumping and other applications, laser fusion as a power source.
  • Space and Laboratory Plasmas - Space research includes theoretical, numerical, and laboratory and space experimental investigations of the dynamic behavior of the near-Earth space plasmas and radiation belts, and the modification of space plasmas for strategic effects on HF communications, satellite navigation, over-the-horizon radar, and UHF satellite communications.  Applications-oriented plasma research is performed in the production, characterization, and use of low-temperature plasmas and related technology for applications to advance capabilities across the Navy and DOD.  Pulsed-power investigations include electromagnetic launch science and technology and research on directed energy systems for the U.S. Navy.
  • Pulsed Power Physics - Experimental and theoretical research is performed to advance pulsed power driven accelerator technology in areas relevant to defense applications. Research concerns the production, transport, characterization, and modeling of pulsed plasmas and intense high-power, charged particle beams using terawatt-class hundred-kilojoule pulsed power systems that employ capacitive or inductive energy storage and advanced switching. 
  • Directed Energy Physics - Research encompasses the integration of theoretical/computational and experimental research relevant to DOD, ONR, DARPA, and DoE in the areas of ultra-high field laser physics, atmospheric propagation of intense lasers, advanced radiation and accelerator physics, laser-generated plasma-microwave interactions, and dynamics of nonlinear systems. 

Facilities Fact Sheets

  • Electra Experimental Lab Facility - Electron beam pumped laser.  [ Download PDF]
  • NIKE KrF Laser Target Facility.  [Download PDF]
  • Space Plasma Simulation Chamber.  [Download PDF]

Plasma Physics News

NEWS | Aug. 14, 2020

NRL Chemist Receives Presidential Award

By U.S. Naval Research Laboratory Corporate Communications

WASHINGTON  –   Paul Charles, a research chemist with the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), was honored on Aug. 3 as a recipient of the Presidential Excellence Award in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM).

The PAESMEM recognizes the critical role mentors play outside the traditional classroom setting in the academic and professional development of the future Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) workforce. Colleagues, administrators, and students nominate individuals and organizations for exemplary mentoring sustained over a minimum of five years.

Mentors support learners from kindergarten through the collegiate levels, as well as those who recently started their careers in STEM. Mentors share their expertise and guidance with learners, sometimes through formal mentoring programs. Mentors have demonstrated impact on individuals historically underrepresented in STEM.

"The Presidential Award is one of the greatest highlights of my career for it is formal recognition of my commitment to be a servant leader and role model to our youth,” Charles said. “Throughout my career, I have tried to inspire students, especially minorities, to strive for excellence.”

Charles, who works in NRL's Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, conducts research in the design of novel sensors for the detection of explosives and environmental contaminants and sensors for unmanned underwater vehicles.

He has served for more than 15 years as the director of the Office of Naval Research-sponsored NRL summer internship program for underrepresented minority undergraduate, graduate, and Postdoctoral students who attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities and/or Minority Institutions. This multi-component, comprehensive program encourages talented students to pursue graduate degrees in STEM by providing a 10-week hands-on research and mentoring experience with NRL scientists.

Charles has implemented scientific seminars and workshops, professional development activities, and team-building events to enhance their NRL summer experience. Under Charles’ leadership, over 400 students have matriculated through the program with many having received advanced degrees.

“Knowledge and wisdom are among the gifts bestowed by a mentor,” said Charles. “Being able to provide a learning platform to instill confidence and empower youth to succeed can have a positive impact on the life of a student and mine as well."

NRL is a scientific and engineering command dedicated to research that drives innovative advances for the Navy and Marine Corps from the seafloor to space and in the information domain. NRL headquarters is located in Washington, D.C., with major field sites in Stennis Space Center, Mississippi, Key West, Florida, and Monterey, California, and employs approximately 2,500 civilian scientists, engineers and support personnel.


About the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory

NRL is a scientific and engineering command dedicated to research that drives innovative advances for the Navy and Marine Corps from the seafloor to space and in the information domain. NRL headquarters is located in Washington, D.C., with major field sites in Monterey, California; Key West, Florida; Stennis Space Center, Mississippi, and employs approximately 2,500 civilian scientists, engineers and support personnel.