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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, 2023

NRL Scientists Present Latest Research Findings at American Geophysical Fall Meeting

By Mary Hamisevicz, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory Corporate Communications

WASHINGTON  –   U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) scientist, Sasa Gabersek, Ph.D., will present findings from the Air-Sea Interaction Affecting Fog Formation experiment over the Yellow Sea at this year’s American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting in San Francisco, California, December 11-15.
 
Marine fog affects land, air, and water-based transportation in coastal regions: reduced visibility makes it challenging to navigate safely and increases risk of collision, traffic congestion, and accidents. Specifically, military operations related to reduced visibility such as visual observation and target acquisition, logistics and resupply, surveillance and reconnaissance are disrupted.
 
“This project explores fog and turbulence interaction in the atmospheric layer closest to the ocean,” said Gabersek. “The goal is to enhance visibility forecasts for the Navy by identifying current shortcomings and implement improvements by using the measurements gathered during the field experiment.”

Dr. Gabersek will deliver the recent results of his experiment to a larger audience and meet in-person with co-investigators for the first time after the field campaign that took place in June and July of 2023 over the Yellow Sea.
 
“The life cycle of the marine fog over the Yellow Sea is a very complex process, where both oceanic and atmospheric phenomena play important roles,” said Gabersek. He will discuss essential processes at the sea-surface and their effects on fog life-cycle. The next step in the research is to select various fog cases, evaluate forecasts, identify and implement possible improvements, and test them.
 
Over forty NRL scientists and engineers will showcase their research on a wide variety of topics focusing on machine learning, geospace dynamics, and optical gas sensing and ocean predictions systems. This annual event is the most influential event in the world dedicated to the advancement of Earth and space science to better understand our planet and environment, and our role in preserving its future. It is a results-oriented gathering rooted in celebrating and advancing positive individual and collective outcomes.
 

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.