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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. 14, 2022

Webb Assumes Command of Warlocks

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

PATUXENT RIVER NAVAL AIR STATION, Md.  –   Cmdr. Jeffrey Webb relieved Cmdr. Ian Lilyquist as commander of the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory’s Scientific Development Squadron (VXS) 1, the Warlocks, Jan. 14 during a change of command ceremony held at Naval Air Station Patuxent River.

The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory Commanding Officer Capt. Gregory Petrovic presented Lilyquist with the Meritorious Service Medal. Lilyquist served as the VXS-1 Commanding Officer from November 2020 to January 2022.  Petrovic said Lilyquist’s distinguished leadership was instrumental to the squadron’s continued record of exceptional support to NRL’s airborne mission.

Rear Adm. Lorin C. Selby, the Chief of Naval Research, presided over the ceremony and took the opportunity to praise Lilyquist on a successful tour marked by world-wide deployments during a pandemic that advanced vital Science and Technology to the Fleet.

“The efforts being carried out by the VXS-1 Warlocks are critical for the Naval Research Enterprise,” Selby said. “The Warlocks conduct valuable airborne experimentation and advanced technology development that support naval scientific priorities and warfighting goals.”

This past year, VXS-1 laid the foundation to transition to the P-8A Poseidon – the Navy’s newest maritime patrol platform – retaining the ability for VXS-1 to support heavy lift, long endurance airborne research, ensuring the squadron has a fleet-representative platform to demonstrate technology in operational theaters to strengthen the ties between VXS-1 and the maritime patrol and reconnaissance community.

“Leading and performing these experiments is a demanding job,” Selby continued. “Cmdr. Lilyquist and his team are to be commended for the tremendous work they have done to help our Sailors and Marines maintain their technological edge.”

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

 “I am deeply honored and eager to lead this talented squadron as its 15th Commanding Officer,” Webb said. “Our mission remains imperative to deliver essential scientific solutions to the warfighter. As the Navy, Marine Corps, and Department of Defense modernize and propel the rapid advances in technology that we see today, VXS-1 provides the ability to test, integrate, and field new systems to win the fight.”

In his remarks, Lilyquist thanked the VXS-1 personnel who remained steadfast in the commitment to supporting the Naval Research Enterprise airborne research missions.
 
“I am humbled and honored to have had the opportunity to be a part of this squadron as its Commanding Officer for the last 15 months,” Lilyquist said.  “Our work allowed the Naval Research Enterprise to conduct six major projects on our aircraft, helping turn ideas into reality to transition technology into Fleet capability at the speed of relevance.

Webb, a native of Boise, Idaho, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, and received his Master’s of Science in System Engineering from the Naval Post Graduate School, with distinction, in June 2015.

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 78,000 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 3,000 civilian scientists, engineers and support personnel.
 
For more information, contact NRL Corporate Communications at (202) 480-3746 or nrlpao@nrl.navy.mil.