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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 | Aug. 28, 2024

NRL Expands Naval Research Horizons for USNA Midshipmen Interns

By Emily Winget, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory Corporate Communications

WASHINGTON  –   U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) concluded the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) summer internship program with a farewell tour for a group of USNA midshipmen who explored a wide range of projects, from materials science and information technology to oceanography and space science.
 
“These bright and motivated young scientists and engineers gained invaluable hands-on experience contributing to cutting-edge research projects that support the Navy’s mission,” said NRL Commanding Officer Capt. Jesse Black. “The internship program offers midshipmen the unique opportunity to apply their academic knowledge to real-world challenges, working alongside world-renowned scientists and engineers.”
 
The midshipmen expressed their gratitude for the mentorship and support they received from NRL staff during their tenure at the laboratory. NRL’s internship program is designed to provide midshipmen with a comprehensive understanding of the Naval Research Enterprise. Interns have the opportunity to network with leading experts, develop technical skills, and gain exposure to the latest advancements in science and technology.
 
“My biggest takeaway from this internship is that NRL takes mission readiness to new levels,” said Midshipman 1/C Sanjana Basu Mallick, a USNA Chemistry major. “Almost anything you can imagine is studied, tested, and improved on here. I spoke to midshipmen that have interned at NRL in the past, and they hold this lab to a very high regard based on the projects they’ve contributed to and the people they’ve worked with.”
 
USNA interns received a command overview and a tour of multiple NRL divisions, including the Laboratory for Autonomous Systems Research, Far Field Range, Software Reprogrammable Payload, and Plasma Physics Space Physics technologies.
 
“I am so grateful to have worked with Dr. Kristina Nyland at NRL because she was thoughtful and compassionate enough to find a research project related to my passions and my future interests in research at the Naval Academy,” said Midshipman 2/C Olivia Rae Achenbach, a USNA Astrophysics major. “She taught me how integral astronomy is to the Fleet through its navigational uses.”
 
Achenbach gained a better understanding of the evolution of galaxies by examining a Hubble Space Telescope image of an active galactic nucleus that began emitting radio jets. Upon uncovering the true image of the galaxy, Nyland and Achenbach discovered a morphology that was not expected, and this assured them that there is so much more about the Universe that we do not understand.
 
“It is critical that astronomers uncover these mysteries as active galactic nucleus and pulsars are heavily relied on for advancing our global positioning systems used by the Fleet,” Achenbach said.
 
NRL is committed to fostering the next generation of scientific and engineering talent. By providing internships to midshipmen, the laboratory plays a vital role in developing future leaders for the Navy and Marine Corps.
 
 
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@us.navy.mil.