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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 | Nov. 6, 2020

Scientific Development Squadron (VXS) 1 Holds Change of Command

By Nicholas E. M. Pasquini, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory Corporate Communications

NAVAL AIR STATION PATUXENT RIVER, Md.  –   Cmdr. Ian Lilyquist relieved Cmdr. Jared Tharp as commander of the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory’s Scientific Development Squadron (VXS) 1, Nov. 6 during a change of command ceremony held at Naval Air Station Patuxent River.

The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory Commanding Officer Capt. Ricardo Vigil presented Tharp with the Meritorious Service Medal.  Tharp served as the VXS-1 Commanding Officer from August 2019 to November 2020. Vigil said Tharp’s distinguished leadership was instrumental to the squadron’s continued record of superlative support to NRL’s airborne mission.

Chief of Naval Research Rear Adm. Lorin Selby, commander, Office of Naval Research presided over the ceremony, took the opportunity to praise Tharp on a successful tour marked by world-wide deployments that advanced critical Science and Technology to the Fleet.

“The work being done by the VXS-1 squadron is vital for the Naval Research Enterprise,” Selby said. “Conducting naval science and technology experiments in the air is a truly demanding job, but Cmdr. Tharp has done it -- helping our Sailors and Marines maintain their technological edge.” 

As the new head of VXS-1, Lilyquist will carry on the tradition of premier airborne Science & Technology support. 

“I am deeply humbled, honored, and excited to lead this incredible squadron as its 14th commanding officer,” Lilyquist said. “Our mission is more important now than ever.  As the Navy and Department of Defense modernize and take advantage of the rapid advances in technology that we see today, VXS-1 provides the ability to test and field new systems at the speed of relevance.”

In his remarks, Tharp thanked the VXS-1 personnel who remained steadfast in the commitment to supporting the Naval Research Enterprise airborne research missions.

“I have been blessed to be a part of the Warlock team for the last 30 months, and grateful to have served as the Commanding Officer for the last 15 months,” Tharp said. “Through it all the Warlocks rose to the occasion, were adaptable, flexible, and stayed positive.”

Lilyquist, a native of Grafton, Wisconsin, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Ocean Engineering, and received his Masters Degrees in Ocean Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley and in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College.

VXS-1 operates and maintains two uniquely modified NP-3C Orion, a RC-12 Huron, a UV-18 Twin Otter aircraft, and numerous Tiger Shark Unmanned Aircraft Systems used as airborne research platforms.

VXS-1's aircraft operate worldwide on extended detachments and annually log more than 400 flight hours. These aircraft are the sole airborne platforms for numerous projects such as bathymetry, electronic countermeasures, gravity mapping, and radar development research. 

The squadron has a flawless safety record, having amassed more than 77,000 hours of accident-free flying since 1963.


About the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory 

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