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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. 5, 2025

U.S. Naval Research Laboratory Wins Best Paper Award at International Space Robotics Conference

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

WASHINGTON, D.C.  –  
A U.S. Naval Research Laboratory’s (NRL) space robotics team received the Best Paper Award in Orbital Robotics at the 2025 International Conference on Space Robotics (iSpaRo) in Sendai, Japan, on Dec. 3. The recognition spotlights NRL’s leadership in autonomous space systems and artificial intelligence–enabled operations.
 
The award was presented for the NRL paper titled “Autonomous Planning In-space Assembly Reinforcement-learning free-flyer (APIARY) International Space Station Astrobee Testing,” which documents the first successful in-space demonstration of reinforcement learning control on a free-flying robotic system on board the International Space Station using NASA’s Astrobee platform.

The APIARY experiment validates the use of artificial intelligence to enable robotic systems to learn, adapt, and operate safely in the challenging microgravity environment of space. The work represents a major step forward for future missions involving spacecraft servicing, in-space assembly, autonomous logistics, and orbital-debris mitigation.

The team includes three early career scientists, NRL Space Roboticist Samantha Chapin, Ph.D., NRL Computer Research Scientist Kenneth Stewart, Ph.D., NRL Computer Research Scientist Roxana Leontie, Ph.D, and NRL’s Senior Scientist for Robotics and Autonomous Systems Glen Henshaw, Ph.D.

“This award highlights NRL’s leadership in space autonomy and AI-enabled technologies,” Henshaw said. “APIARY shows how reinforcement learning can move from theory to mission-ready capability: by delivering autonomous systems that are more intelligent, resilient, and adaptable. While demonstrated in space, these advances provide a scalable framework for operations across domains, from terrestrial to maritime environments.”


 
The iSpaRo conference brings together leaders from government, academia, and industry to advance research in orbital operations, planetary exploration, and autonomous systems. The Best Paper in Orbital Robotics award recognizes exceptional scientific merit and direct applicability to real-world operations.

“We are deeply grateful to the NASA Ames Research Center Astrobee team for their collaboration and technical partnership that made this milestone possible,” Leontie said. “We also thank the iSpaRo organizers for their engagement and support in enabling our participation and recognition at this year’s conference.”

APIARY’s success also highlights the impact of early-career scientists at NRL, reflecting the Laboratory’s investment in cultivating the next generation of leaders in national-security science and engineering.

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.

NRL offers several mechanisms for collaborating with the broader scientific community, within and outside of the Federal government. These include Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs), LP-CRADAs, Educational Partnership Agreements, agreements under the authority of 10 USC 4892, licensing agreements, FAR contracts, and other applicable agreements. For more information, contact NRL Corporate Communications at NRLPAO@us.navy.mil.
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spacecraft engineering