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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 | Jan. 7, 2021

NRL Announces Executive Leadership Appointments

By Victor Chen, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory Corporate Communications

WASHINGTON  –   The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory today announced the following executive leadership appointments:

Stephen Meier, Ph.D., as director of the Naval Center for Space Technology. NCST’s core mission is to develop innovative basic and applied research through advanced development of spacecraft technology and ground command and control stations.

Stanley Chincheck, as superintendent of the Information Technology Division. ITD is responsible for conception, planning, and execution of research and development programs in the major areas of artificial intelligence and intelligent autonomy, information assurance and software development, networking and communications, knowledge management and decision support, and cybersecurity.

Virginia DeGiorgi, Ph.D., as superintendent of the Materials Science and Technology Division. The division performs multidisciplinary basic and applied research, focusing on scientific discovery and technological exploitation of fundamental materials physics, new devices and system concepts, power and energy, materials in extreme environments, materials and biology, and materials imaging and simulation to provide transformational capabilities to the warfighter.

Brian Houston, Ph.D., as superintendent of the Acoustics Division. Acoustics research spans classical through quantum physics with a focus in five strategic research areas: ocean and atmospheric acoustics, physical and structural acoustics, undersea signal processing, autonomous and distributed systems, and advanced materials for undersea warfare.

“I am confident our new leaders at NRL will lead their divisions in continuing to deliver strategically important basic and applied research for the Department of Navy that will lead to technological innovation and the development of disruptive technologies of importance to the Department”, said Bruce Danly, Ph.D., NRL’s Director of Research. “And I know they will position NRL’s research portfolio to be relevant and provide a high ROI to the department for decades to come.”


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.

For more information, contact NRL Corporate Communications at (202) 480-3746 or NRLPAO@nrl.navy.mil.