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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 | Dec. 8, 2020

Mississippi State Intern Makes Waves With AI at NRL

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

WASHINGTON  –   A U.S. Naval Research Laboratory intern with the Naval Research Enterprise Internship Program (NREIP) used machine learning to improve Navy wave forecasting predictions.

Braedon Kimball, a college senior majoring in software engineering at Mississippi State University’s Bagley College of Engineering, learned about neural networks and data framing using Python software that helps programmers write clear, logical code for small and large-scale projects at NRL’s Ocean Sciences Division.

This research could potentially increase the Navy’s ability to provide more accurate wave forecasting as well as a foundation of machine learning that could be extensible to other forecasting tasks.

“We aim to improve on numerical wave forecast models by using machine learning to make predictions,” Kimball said. “The methods used to accomplish this were to train an artificial neural network using historical observations and model data with the effect of improving existing model predictions in areas the model does not normally do well.”

Kimball’s NREIP mentor James Dykes, a physical scientist with NRL’s Ocean Sciences Division at Stennis Space Center, Mississippi said neural networks show promise to improve weather and wave forecasting with numerical models.

“This project was about improving performance of ocean surface wave forecasts using the WAVEWATCH III model and applying machine learning ideas,” Dykes said. “Braedon was familiarized with the model output, how to process statistics and plots regarding the WAVEWATCH III model's performance, and extending that to applying some machine learning concepts to the problem.”

Dykes said the research is groundbreaking and, “It has been very rewarding mentoring Braedon, imparting to him ideas about wave modelling and possibilities in machine learning.”

“In the future, this work will be a launching point for other weather prediction neural networks being expanded into other aspects of climate data,” Kimball said.

With access to the Navy Department of Defense Supercomputing Resource Center, Kimball constructed rudimentary neural network to demonstrate the possibility of improving wave forecasts.

After Kimball collected the necessary model and observation data using high performance computing, he trained the network to build a suite of classes to handle the data collection, as well as a neural network to make wave height predictions.

Although the topic presented to Kimball was new to him, his mentor was pleased Kimball could quickly learn about the tools to apply machine learning to the problem that in the end increased his overall understanding of the subject.

NREIP typically provides an opportunity for about 800 college students to participate in ten weeks of hands on research at 45 Navy laboratories during the summer, encouraging participants to pursue science and engineering careers. However, this year’s NREIP program was done virtually.

“I think we had a constructive experience and accomplished a lot,” Dykes said. “The remote connection environment provided a lot of flexibility, for instance Braedon could work from home nearby, as well as from his school hundreds of miles away at varying times without the need for an office building at a set 8-5 schedule. If Braedon comes back again soon, we can further build on what he has already learned.”

NRL mentors virtually hosted 67 college students and 11 high school students this summer and they hope students further their education via mentoring by laboratory personnel.

“At the end of the day, this method of mentoring can truly work,” Dykes said.

Learn more about NREIP at: https://nreip.asee.org/


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.