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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 7, 2025

Naval Research Laboratory Scientists Recognized by DARPA for Record-Breaking Optical Power Beaming Demonstration

By Jameson Crabtree, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory Corporate Communications

WASHINGTON, D.C.  –   Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) recognized the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) during their POWER Phase 2 Industry Day on May 29, for contributions to the Persistent Optical Wireless Energy Relay (POWER) program, which shattered existing records for optical power beaming over distance.
 
Power beaming is a method of transmitting electricity wirelessly through the air using directed energy, such as laser light. Instead of relying on traditional cables, scientists use precisely aimed beams to deliver power over long distances from a stationary source to a remote receiver, such as a drone or forward operating base. This technology functions like wireless charging but operates across much greater ranges, offering a potential breakthrough in energy logistics for both civilian and defense applications.
 
NRL Electrical Engineer Alex Grede, Ph.D., and Research Physicist Justin Lorentzen performed critical technical contributions for POWER.
 
In a landmark series of tests at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, the POWER team achieved more than 800 watts of power delivered during a 30-second transmission from a laser 8.6 kilometers (5.3 miles) away. Over the course of the campaign, more than one megajoule of energy was successfully transferred, surpassing previous benchmarks by orders of magnitude.
 
The NRL team measured the record-breaking achievement for DARPA’s POWER Receiver Array Demo (PRAD). Their technical expertise and collaboration with industry and government partners were instrumental in achieving the milestone.
 
“There’s a statistic that the majority of casualties that were experienced in Iraq and Afghanistan were related to fuel and water delivery,” Lorentzen said. “The idea is to reduce the number of fuel deliveries that are needed by supplementing the power delivery to forward operating positions with power beaming.”
 
Power beaming can be used to mitigate varying issues that the military is faced with.

“Now in modern warfare, we are seeing an explosion in autonomous systems and platforms, but one of the issues is keeping them powered. This technology could be the solution,” Lorentzen said.
 
The program is exploring the use of laser-based power beaming to energy transmission to remote locations without traditional infrastructure—a potential game changer for defense, humanitarian assistance, and space applications.
 
“Marines do a lot of humanitarian efforts. In areas that become inaccessible during a storm, you could just drop receivers and emitters. That way you don't need to worry about running cabling,” Grede said. “You don't need to worry about inaccessible roads and areas because you can build wireless infrastructure.”
 
NRL’s systematic power-beaming efforts have advanced from early ground tests in 2009 to groundbreaking demonstrations in space in 2023 and then recently this record-smashing optical transmission. NRL is a core participant in these programs that are funded by the Operational Energy Innovation Directorate and continues to play a leading role in advancing power beaming technologies.
 
To celebrate their most recent achievement, the team used the power delivery system to pop popcorn, paying homage to a famous scene from the 1985 film Real Genius. In the movie, a group of student scientists discover their laser project is being militarized. As a form of protest, they redirect the laser to their corrupt professor’s house, which they’ve secretly filled with popcorn kernels. When the beam hits, the house bursts apart in an explosion of popcorn that floods the home and spills out into the yard.
 
Real Genius is a known favorite among researchers in the directed energy field, and the popcorn celebration was a fitting tribute to both science and cinematic inspiration.
 
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, 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. Please reference package number at top of press release.