Group
P-24
Plasma
Physics
Mail Stop E526
Los Alamos, NM
87545
(505) 667-4879
(505) 665-3552 fax
E-mail us at:
P-24 Job Inquiries:
The Plasma Physics Group (P-24) researches the basic properties of plasmas with a view to applications in important Los Alamos National Laboratory and national programs. Plasmas occur in nature when matter exceeds temperatures of roughly 10,000ĄC. At these temperatures, the constituent atoms and molecules of matter begin to lose their bound electrons to form a substance composed of positive or negative ions and free electrons. All principal phenomena in plasmas can be traced to the fact that ions and electrons interact with each other through long-range electromagnetic forces. The electromagnetic interactions of groups of charged particles are often coherent, leading to collective modes of plasma behavior. This collective interaction of charged particles, a many-body problem, is the essence of the field of plasma physics. Roughly 99% of the matter in the universe is in a plasma state. Plasmas can exist over a large range of temperatures and densities. For example, interstellar space contains plasmas with densities of less than one ion or electron per cubic meter at temperatures exceeding 1,000ĄC. In contrast, plasmas created by intense laser compression of micropellets achieve densities up to 1026 ions or electrons per cubic centimeter at temperatures exceeding 10,000,000ĄC. The understanding and application of such diverse plasmas is a Los Alamos core competency. P-24 is composed of a diverse technical staff with expertise in plasma physics, plasma chemistry, atomic physics, laser and optical science, pulsed power, dynamic properties of materials, and transient radiation and particle diagnostics. The group uses both on-site and off-site experimental facilities to address problems of national significance in inertial and magnetic fusion, high-energy-density physics, conventional defense, environmental management, and plasma-based advanced or green manufacturing. Our agenda includes basic research in the properties of energetic matter and applied research that supports the principal Laboratory mission of reducing the nuclear danger. The pursuit of this agenda entails the physics of plasmas over a wide and diverse range of conditions, as shown in Figure 1.
LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LABORATORY
Operated by the University of California for the National
Nuclear Safety Administration, of the
US Department of Energy
P-24 Webmaster | Copyright © UC 2001 | For conditions
of use see Disclaimer
Last Modified: <2 Dec 2002>
