Research

Research in the PLASMAWISE (PLAsma Simulation for MAterial interactions, Waves, Instabilities, Shocks, Everything else plasma) laboratory aims to advance a number of different fusion energy concepts, to further several plasma-based propulsion concepts, and to enhance understanding of fundamental plasma physics relevant to space and astrophysical plasmas.  While a large focus of the research in this laboratory is in theory and simulation, members of this laboratory also serve as principal investigators at national laser facilities such as the Omega laser facility at the University of Rochester to validate the numerical models. 
Examples of research areas include:
  • Plasma-material interactions in thrusters and fusion devices
  • Plasma instabilities in thrusters and various magnetically confined fusion concepts
  • Plasma shocks and instabilities in high-energy-density fusion and astrophysical plasmas
  • Ionospheric plasma instabilities
  • Numerical algorithm development for fluid and kinetic models

This laboratory performs research in support of a variety of fusion concepts including inertial confinement fusion, magneto-inertial fusion, magnetic confinement fusion, Z-pinches, and magnetic mirrors, to name a few.  This team also performs research in plasma-material interactions and plasma instabilities in Hall thrusters as well as other electrostatic and electromagnetic thrusters. An understanding of plasma-material interactions along with methods to handle the extreme plasma conditions encountered near material walls is a critical area of research necessary for the success of the majority of fusion and propulsion concepts. There do not exist materials that can handle the large particle and heat fluxes encountered at material walls of fusion devices, so an understanding of near-wall plasma dynamics and identifying mitigation strategies is key.  Plasma instabilities, such as ExB instabilities and the Rayleigh-Taylor instability, that occur in fusion and propulsion devices are known to also occur in exploding stars and in the near earth space environment, thus providing synergistic opportunities to study a variety of applications with the high-fidelity modeling tools available within this laboratory. The development and application of high-fidelity fluid and kinetic models connects the various research applications within this laboratory.