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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 | July 17, 2023

Black Relieves Petrovic as the 42nd NRL Commander

By Megan Gilliland, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory Corporate Communications

WASHINGTON  –   Capt. Jesse Black relieved Capt. Gregory Petrovic and assumed command as the 42nd commanding officer of the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) during a ceremony July 14, 2023. Black assumed command of NRL following his tour of duty as the executive officer.

Chief of Naval Research Rear Adm. Kurt Rothenhaus presented Petrovic with a Legion of Merit award for his exceptionally meritorious service as executive officer and commanding officer of NRL from June 2019 to June 2023.

“Capt. Petrovic led the lab through the arduous stages of the global pandemic while implementing long-lasting organizational improvements,” said Rothenhaus. “He dedicated himself to improving the material condition of a lab approaching its one hundred years of operation.”

During his tenure, Petrovic made significant contributions to the security of the United States by enabling the performance of a wide range of critical military research that will have enduring long-range impacts on both the military and economic instruments of power.

“For one hundred years, NRL has been researching, applying and transitioning critical technology to naval forces and our industry partners,” said Petrovic. “As an early-career naval aviator, I was surrounded by the very technologies developed at NRL. Those capabilities ensured the United States was never in a fair fight – we had the advantage.”

Black is a graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School, publishing his thesis on solid state power systems. As an officer, Black has led teams tasked with solving complex engineering challenges, such as Gerald R. Ford-class advanced weapons elevators, nuclear refueling complex overhauls and maintenance availabilities, and integrated power and propulsion systems on Zumwalt-class destroyers and Columbia-class submarines.

“I thought I came from a dangerous world, but when you are the first to touch science that has never been touched before, it is dangerous,” said Black. “As commanding officer, I will ensure safety remains at the forefront of our work while providing cutting-edge capabilities to our Sailors and Marines.”

Black was specially selected to serve in the White House as a Senior Sustainability Officer under two presidential administrations. He graduated from the University of Idaho with a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering and earned a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School in 2007, publishing his thesis on solid state power systems.

“We will continue to celebrate achievements of this laboratory,” said Black. “The science and engineering machine is moving forward to guarantee global strategic dominance for our nation.”


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 the U.S. 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, and 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.