Articles tagged with Plasma Physics
Researchers from Kyushu University used high-power lasers to recreate magnetic reconnection in a controlled environment. Their study shows that reconnection rates are governed by local physics, not plasma properties, providing experimental benchmarks for testing theoretical models.
The US National Science Foundation has funded the ZEUS laser facility for another 5 years, enabling new experiments in physics and technology. The facility, run by the University of Michigan, will undergo upgrades, including a larger target chamber and AI integration, to explore quantum and cosmic scales.
Researchers at Tokyo Metropolitan University discovered that reducing pressure helps extend plasma lifetime and increase atomic oxygen availability. The findings promise more effective oxygen plasma treatments for industries, including biomedical and semiconductor sectors.
Researchers have provided the first experimental evidence that strong magnetic fields surrounding active stars can completely suppress coronal mass ejections. This discovery helps explain why CMEs are rarely observed on stars other than the Sun.
A deep learning model called IncResUnet detects plasma bubbles in the ionosphere with high accuracy. The model achieved an F1-score of 0.914 on the FORMOSAT-1 test set and outperformed traditional threshold methods.
A team of scientists has analyzed the activity of blazar PKS 2155-304 over a long period, finding no correlation between events in different radiation ranges. The data also failed to show the expected relationship between X-ray flares and higher-energy photon observations.
Scientists at Colorado State University have successfully created an ultracold neutral plasma, cooling electrons to near absolute zero. This breakthrough will aid in the development of better computer models for fusion energy systems and help understand white dwarf stars and extreme environments in the universe.
Gert Aarts, a renowned physicist, has been awarded 1.58 million euros in funding from the Wübben Foundation Science to establish an Advanced Professorship at Bielefeld University. He will focus on linking theoretical physics with machine learning and expanding research on strongly interacting matter.
Scientists have created a method to apply graphene to metal surfaces using microwave plasmas, showing promise in protecting against corrosion. The technique involves two methods: direct transfer and three-step process, with the latter achieving better results in surface coverage.
Ionut Farcas uses reduced modeling to simulate plasma physics, reducing computation time from days to seconds. This enables real-time control and decision making in nuclear fusion devices.
Researchers at Princeton University have developed a method to manufacture transistors with less risk of damage using a class of extremely thin materials called transition metal dichalcogenides. By pretreating the surface with oxygen or fluorine, it becomes easier to remove atoms from the top layer without damaging the lower layers.
The National Spherical Torus Experiment-Upgrade (NSTX-U) will enable plasma operations by creating two separate sets of magnetic fields, confining the plasma and heating it through an electric current. This compact fusion system has unique research capabilities, making it easier to build and replicate than conventional tokamaks.
The papers validate and de-risk Commonwealth Fusion Systems' approach to commercial fusion, demonstrating scientifically robust path to grid electricity in the early 2030s. Advanced computational tools combined decades of empirical research on tokamaks worldwide, predicting 1.1 GW of fusion power and 400 MW of continuous net electricity.
High-powered lasers can vaporize a solid target, creating plasma that rapidly expands and generates strong magnetic fields. The team derived a simple threshold criterion to predict plasma magnetization for given laser and target parameters.
Patrizio Antici, a specialist in applied photonics, has been awarded the prestigious Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Award for his cutting-edge research in laser and plasma physics. The award highlights his impact on energy and materials sciences, reflecting a collective effort grounded in scientific excellence and collaboration.
A new 10-year project agreement advances US-EU collaboration on Wendelstein 7-X stellarator, a key experiment in fusion energy. The framework streamlines processes for joint research projects and provides a consistent legal structure for partnerships.
Researchers found that a spherical-shell dynamo can exist in two stable equilibrium states, with tiny initial fluctuations determining the polarity. The study suggests that breaking this stable state is necessary to trigger magnetic reversals, possibly through mechanisms outside magnetohydrodynamic theory.
A team of researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf has created a hot plasma composed of charged particles by combining two state-of-the-art lasers. This new method delivers fundamental insights into the interaction of high-energy lasers and matter under extreme conditions, opening up possibilities for diagnostics in laser fu...
A new international project will provide essential measurement equipment for two doughnut-shaped fusion devices, WEST and JT-60SA, to understand plasma behavior. PPPL's Luis Delgado-Aparicio leads the effort, adding powerful X-ray imaging systems to guide future fusion system design.
A $2M USDA grant funds research on bird flu's infectivity in the air, with goals of preventing or mitigating future outbreaks. Nonthermal plasma technology has been shown to deactivate airborne virus particles.
The Global Physics Summit will feature over 12,000 individual presentations on new research in astrophysics, particle physics, and quantum information science. Registered journalists and public information officers will receive daily emails with information during the meeting.
The US Department of Energy has launched a national research program on liquid metals for fusion, with Princeton University at the forefront. The program aims to develop liquid metal technology that can protect components from intense heat and improve fusion system performance.
The American Physical Society's Global Physics Summit will feature over 10,000 individual presentations on new research in astrophysics and particle physics. Attendees can book discounted hotel rates near the Colorado Convention Center until February 12 to receive a discount.
A Sydney PhD student has recreated a tiny piece of the Universe inside a bottle in her laboratory, producing cosmic dust from scratch. The results shed new light on how the chemical building blocks of life may have formed long before Earth existed.
The new platform, led by PPPL, aims to speed up simulations needed to advance fusion energy research. STELLAR-AI will integrate CPUs, GPUs, and QPUs to tackle the challenges of private fusion companies, enabling faster design and optimization of stellarator devices.
Jessica Eskew, a PhD student in Auburn Physics, has been awarded a highly competitive SCGSR Fellowship to conduct fusion energy research at DIII-D. Her research focuses on runaway electrons, which can damage fusion devices if uncontrolled. Eskew will collaborate with experts in energetic particle physics and plasma control.
The American Physical Society's Global Physics Summit will convene over 14,000 physicists worldwide for groundbreaking research presentations. The event will feature both in-person and online experiences, including scientific sessions, exhibits, and networking events.
The CHSN01 jacket material has achieved an average yield strength of 1560 MPa at 4.2 K, setting a new benchmark in cryogenic steel properties. This breakthrough demonstrates exceptional mechanical properties, non-magnetic nature, and high-strength performance under extreme conditions.
John Holdren, a Harvard University professor and former OSTP director, has been awarded the 2026 AIP Karl Taylor Compton Medal for his scientific leadership in engaging the public and promoting sound governmental policies. The medal recognizes his contributions to physics through statesmanship in science.
Researchers at the National Institute for Fusion Science used high-precision diagnostic instruments to measure temperature, turbulence, and heat propagation in a plasma. The experiments revealed two types of turbulence: a mediator-type that connects distant regions quickly, and another type that carries heat outward more slowly.
A team of Caltech researchers has created an icy hot plasma system, where electrons and positively charged ions coexist in a mostly neutral gas environment. The study reveals the formation of extremely fluffy ice grains that grow into fractal shapes, leading to unexpected physics.
Research team measures temperature, turbulence, and heat propagation with high spatial and temporal resolution. Turbulence acts as a mediator, linking distant regions and speeding up heat transfer. Heat carrying turbulence shapes the overall temperature profile of the plasma.
Zap Energy's FuZE-3 device has reached electron pressures of up to 830 MPa, or 1.6 GPa total, in a sheared-flow-stabilized Z pinch, a major milestone on the path to scientific energy gain. The device achieves this high pressure through independent control of plasma acceleration and compression.
Scientists successfully measured electric potential in plasmas using a non-contact diagnostic technique, enabling the detection of temporal transitions in internal plasma potential distribution. The method allows for improved predictive models of plasma behavior and confinement frameworks in fusion research.
Researchers successfully estimated precise altitude distribution of nitrogen molecular ions responsible for blue aurora emissions at high altitudes. The study revealed a peak emission intensity at 200 km altitude, suggesting higher-than-thought density of nitrogen molecular ions in the atmosphere.
Researchers have found a new mechanism explaining how larger-scale turbulent eddies deform and suppress smaller-scale ones in plasma confinement. This discovery could lead to improved fusion energy generation by understanding the interaction between turbulence at different scales.
Researchers at Auburn University found that weak magnetic fields can reshape the behavior of dusty plasmas, slowing down or speeding up nanoparticle growth. This discovery could lead to new plasma-based techniques for creating nanoparticles with tailored properties.
Physicists from the Institute of Nuclear Physics in Cracow confirmed the validity of the core-halo model by observing coherent production of triplets of pions in high-energy proton collisions. This achievement provides new insights into hadronisation, a process that shapes the matter universe.
The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory has partnered with Japan and Europe on the world's largest fusion machine, JT-60SA. The U.S. lab will provide an advanced measurement tool, XICS, to help scientists better understand and control the plasma inside the machine.
Brian Wirth, UT-ORNL Governor’s Chair Professor, was elected Fellow of the American Physical Society for his groundbreaking work on plasma-surface interactions. His research has led to high-fidelity simulation tools predicting fusion plasma surface interactions, resulting in significant advancements.
Scientists at MIT developed a method to predict how plasma in a tokamak will behave during rampdown, achieving high accuracy with limited data. This new model could significantly improve the safety and reliability of future fusion power plants.
Hundreds of physicists from around the world will convene to present new research at the 67th annual meeting of the American Physical Society’s Division of Plasma Physics. The conference features presentations on fusion energy, plasma turbulence, laser plasma acceleration, and more.
A new AI system called Diag2Diag analyzes sensor data to provide synthetic information for failing or degraded sensors in fusion systems, enhancing robustness and reducing complexity. This technology has the potential to make fusion energy more economical and reliable, enabling 24/7 operation without interruption.
A team of scientists from Princeton University and PPPL successfully recreated the star formation mechanism in a laboratory setting, validating astrophysical theory. The achievement marks over two decades of persistent effort and combines experimental ingenuity, theoretical insight, and advanced computational modeling.
Researchers at Peking University and Hunan University have developed a method to generate powerful, structured terahertz pulses with programmable polarization textures. The team uses femtosecond laser pulses to drive magnetized plasma, creating Poincaré THz beams carrying spin and orbital angular momentum.
The ORNL-led FIRE Collaboratives will focus on closing critical gaps in fusion materials, blanket and coolant technology, liquid metal components, and reactor modeling. The project aims to develop a new paradigm for fusion plasma-facing materials and accelerate the deployment of next-generation PFCs.
A sophisticated neutron flux diagnostic system will gather knowledge of plasma and power released in nuclear reactions at ITER. The High Resolution Neutron Spectrometer (HRNS) measures both neutron number and energies, providing information on fuel composition, ion temperature, and combustion quality.
A new propulsion system developed by Tohoku University's Kazunori Takahashi has successfully demonstrated the ability to remove space debris without physical contact. The system uses a bidirectional plasma ejection type electrodeless plasma thruster, which can decelerate targeted space debris and force it out of orbit in about 100 days.
Researchers analyzed 10 SEP events with inverse velocity dispersion signatures to investigate underlying mechanisms. The study found that energy-dependent release and longer timescales for high-energy particles explain the counterintuitive behavior.
Researchers at Nagoya University have developed a new method to create gallium oxide semiconductors with stable p-type layers, allowing for twice the current capacity of previous devices. This breakthrough enables improved energy efficiency, reduced waste, and lower operating costs for electronics.
Researchers have developed a new AI approach called HEAT-ML that accelerates calculations of magnetic shadows in fusion vessels, enabling faster design and operation. This breakthrough could lead to significant improvements in fusion power generation and potentially limitless clean energy.
Physicists used a machine-learning method to identify surprising new twists on the non-reciprocal forces governing a many-body system. The AI approach provides precise approximations for these forces, correcting common theoretical assumptions with an accuracy of over 99%.
A global collaboration found that co-deposition is the dominant driver of fuel retention in lithium walls, and adding lithium during operation is more effective than pre-coating. The study offers insights into managing tritium, a rare fusion fuel, and improving plasma stability.
PPPL's Jack Berkery is heading to Japan as a Fulbright Specialist to share research on spherical tokamaks and strengthen ties with Kyushu University. He will present PPPL research at the Asia-Pacific Conference on Plasma Physics, focusing on spherical tokamaks and their preparations for NSTX-U's next phase of operations.
CODEX observes high-energy particles and radiation from the Sun's corona, providing unprecedented data on solar activity. The findings reveal a complex interplay between magnetic fields and particle acceleration.
The world's largest and most powerful stellarator, Wendelstein 7-X, achieved a new world record for the triple product in long plasma discharges, sustaining a peak value for 43 seconds. This milestone marks a significant step toward developing a power-plant-capable stellarator.
Researchers develop a novel analytical method to capture localized structures and reveal the intertwined behavior of multiple fluctuating fields. They introduce two new measures based on information entropy, which quantify structural complexity and degree of coupling between turbulent structures.
Professor Edward Thomas Jr. has been awarded the prestigious Star Dust Award by the International Dusty Plasma Community for his 30-year contributions to the field of dusty plasma physics. He is recognized for his groundbreaking research in magnetized dusty plasmas, including the development of novel experimental diagnostics.
A new simulation approach has been developed to model plasmas used in computer chip manufacturing, allowing for improved stability and efficiency. The new code accurately conserves energy, helping to ensure the results reflect real physical processes.
The US National Science Foundation-funded ZEUS facility at the University of Michigan has roughly doubled the peak power of any other laser in the country with its first official experiment reaching 2 petawatts. Research at ZEUS will have applications in medicine, national security, materials science and astrophysics.