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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 | June 22, 2022

NRL at Astronomy Festival on the National Mall

By Michelle Patten, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory Corporate Communications

WASHINGTON  –   U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) astronomers and researchers will showcase space-related programs and technologies, during the Astronomy Festival on the National Mall (AFNM) June 25 from 6 to 11 p.m. EDT.

NRL exhibits are scheduled to include a long wavelength array antenna, h-alpha telescope, solar telescope, along with information on NRL’s student internship programs.

Also scheduled to be displayed are models of NRL’s Solar Orbiter Heliospheric Imager (SoloHI) and Vanguard satellite. Vanguard was the second U.S. satellite in Earth orbit launched in March 1958. SoloHI is the camera on board ESA/NASA’s Solar Orbiter spacecraft which launched in February 2020 to study the Sun.

“The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory has a storied history of pioneering space research,” said Jason Kooi, Ph.D., NRL research physicist in the High Angular Resolution Imaging Section. “In order for NRL to continue to be at the forefront of space research, we must not only attract the talented new astronomers and scientists of this generation, but we must also look ahead and inspire the next generation of space enthusiasts. The Astronomy Festival on the National Mall is a great event to showcase NRL research in astronomy, excite the K-12 crowd, and promote important student programs at NRL.”

This free public festival will take place on the National Mall between 3rd to 4th Streets, SW, across from the National Museum of the American Indian. Closest metro stop is Federal Center SW.

The Astronomy Festival on the National Mall will be presented in association with the Smithsonian Solstice Saturday events (www.si.edu/solsticesaturday). The Smithsonian Natural History, Arts and Industries, Castle, African Art, Freer and Sackler Galleries, and Folklife Festival will be open until midnight with free programs and performances.

The event is organized by Donald Lubowich, Ph.D., coordinator of astronomy outreach at Hofstra University. Updates for the event will be posted at: www.hofstra.edu/dcstars. There is no rain date.  

Other participants include: Amateur Observers’ Society of NY, American Association of Physics Teachers, American University, Ball Aerospace & Technology, Carnegie Science/ Carnegie Academy for Science Education, Catholic University of America, Chandra X-ray Observatory & NASA's Universe of Learning, George Mason University, Georgetown University, Goddard Astronomy Club, International Dark Sky Association, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, International Occultation Timing Association, Montgomery College NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center, National Air and Space Museum, National Capital Astronomers, National Center Earth Space Science Education, NSF’s NOIRlab, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, National Science Foundation, Northern Virginia Astronomy Club, The Planetary Society, Space Telescope Science Institute (HST), the Trust for the National Mall, and U.S. Naval Observatory.


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) 309-7259 or nrlpao@nrl.navy.mil.