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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 | Feb. 6, 2026

From Baseball Pitcher to Navy Medicine’s Biochemistry Officer of the Year

By Nicholas E. M. Pasquini, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory Corporate Communications

Washington D.C.   –   From the pitcher’s mound to the front lines of naval science, Lt. Cmdr. Elih M. Velazquez-Delgado’s unconventional path has culminated in one of Navy Medicine’s highest honors.

Velazquez-Delgado, a U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) chemistry division military deputy and acting division head for military support, was named Navy Medicine’s 2025 Biochemistry Officer of the Year on Dec. 20, 2025, for exceptional leadership, administrative excellence, and transformative contributions to chemical, biological, radiation and nuclear (CBRN) defense research.

“Lt. Commander Velazquez-Delgado’s achievements highlight the power of leadership, innovation, and service,” said NRL Commanding Officer Capt. Randy Cruz. “His dedication to research excellence and mentorship embodies the mission of the laboratory and strengthens Navy Medicine as a whole.”

After five seasons in the minors as a professional baseball pitcher, Velazquez-Delgado narrowed his focus from the strike zone to molecules. He now oversees scientific efforts that directly support forward-deployed Sailors and Marines facing CBRN threats.

“Baseball taught me discipline and precision,” Velazquez-Delgado said. “I now apply those same principles to naval science in service of the warfighter.”

Currently assigned as the acting division head for military support at NRL, Velazquez-Delgado provides oversight across six scientific divisions and recently delivered the Department of War’s (DoW) first-ever Scientific and Technology Warfighting Acquisition Maturation System for Radiation and Nuclear technology – a framework designed to rapidly move critical innovations from the laboratory to operational use. “Our focus is speed to capability,” Velazquez-Delgado said. “Technology must be deployable, sustainable, and life-saving – not just proven in a lab.”

“Lt. Cmdr. Velazquez-Delgado has been a trusted member of my leadership team, where he consistently brought scientific rigor, strategic perspective, and mission focus to complex decisions,” said NRL Chemistry Division Superintendent Dr. John Russell, SES. “As a Naval officer and doctoral level biochemist, he offers a rare balanced perspective of scientific innovation with operational relevance and long-term impact when assessing research proposals. His technical judgment and leadership are exactly what Navy Medicine needs as we move critical capabilities from concept to the Fleet.”

According to Rear Adm. M. Case, director of the Navy Medical Service Corps, Velazquez-Delgado’s leadership was pivotal.

“Lt. Cmdr. Velazquez-Delgado exceeded every expectation. He immediately demonstrated exceptional drive, sound judgment and expert administrative knowledge well beyond his seniority,” Case said. “He identified and prioritized an array of critical projects to close urgent capability deficiencies identified by combatant commanders. His proven dependability, unwavering dedication to the mission, and profound understanding of emerging scientific challenges were pivotal to successfully navigating complex joint environments and leading Navy Medicine into the future.”

Through partnerships with the Office of the Secretary of War’s Nuclear Deterrence, Chemical and Biological Defense office, and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), Velazquez-Delgado helped establish a DoW-wide acquisition and sustainment framework with measurable performance metrics and accelerated transition pathways.

“We are no longer waiting for innovation to survive the system,” Velazquez-Delgado said. “We are engineering a pipeline that delivers.”

His work emphasizes aggressive maturation of technologies from Technology Readiness Level 3 to 7, ensuring that scientific breakthroughs result in fielded, operational capabilities. By leveraging fast-track contracting and dedicated prototyping funds, the program ensures CBRN technologies remain dynamic and responsive to emerging threats.

Beyond the laboratory, Velazquez-Delgado is preparing to assume duties as commanding officer of the SN Craig B. Wibberley “Pathfinders” Division and Training Ship Antietam in Frederick, Maryland, where he will mentor 85 Naval Sea Cadets ages 10 to 18.

“Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment,” he said. “Whether in science, service, or leadership, the principles are the same. Mentorship isn't just about passing down orders; it’s about passing down the ‘why.’ When a Naval Science Officer mentors Sea Cadets, we aren't just teaching them how to wear a uniform – we’re teaching them to innovate, analyze, and lead the scientific future of the Fleet.”

A native of San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico, Velazquez-Delgado earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Universidad del Turabo before completing a doctorate in biochemistry and biophysics at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He completed postdoctoral fellowships at the Broad Institute of MIT, Harvard and at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, specializing in drug discovery and targeting previously “undruggable” proteins.

Before his scientific career, Velazquez-Delgado was drafted in the 17th round out of José Campeche High School and pitched professionally in the Oakland Athletics and San Francisco Giants organizations, as well as with the Criollos de Caguas and Indios de Mayagüez.

That athletic background, he said, continues to shape his approach.

“Handling pressure and constant self-assessment are essential,” Velazquez-Delgado said. “Those lessons translate directly to solving the hardest problems on today’s battlefield.”

His leadership and results have delivered lasting advantages to Navy Medicine and the joint force – proving that nontraditional paths can lead to extraordinary impact.

“As both a service member and a scientist, Lt. Cmdr. Velazquez-Delgado functions as the interface between the real-world needs of warfighters and the lab’s research capabilities,” said Travis Novak, Ph.D., a research chemist from the NRL Chemistry Division. “When I was developing my most recent research proposal, he was proactive in ensuring my team’s awareness of military equipment, developing helpful connections to both civilian and uniformed personnel, and communicating the impact of the project to funding agencies. His knowledge, passion, and leadership continue to set the highest standard in support of our science at NRL.”

As Velazquez-Delgado often tells young scientists and Sailors alike: “Science is a team sport – and the mission always comes first.”

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.