Articles tagged with Plasma Physics
A new mathematical model predicts turbulence and heat transport in fusion plasmas with high accuracy, approximately 1,500 times faster than conventional large-scale nonlinear calculations. This breakthrough accelerates fusion research and expands the range of applicability.
A team of Japanese researchers discovered that adding neon to a hydrogen ice pellet can cool the plasma more effectively, reducing pressure and preventing ejection. This breakthrough contributes to establishing plasma control technologies for future fusion reactors.
Lehigh University has received nearly $1.75 million in funding from the US Department of Energy to support fusion energy research, specifically for ITER's long-pulse scenarios. The project aims to prepare ITER for operation and address critical research questions related to plasma control.
A University of South Australia physicist has solved the long-standing mystery of lightning's zig-zag pattern and dark electric column. The breakthrough explains how singlet-delta metastable oxygen molecules create these steps.
The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) has received over $12 million in funding from the US Department of Energy to speed up the development of a pilot plant powered by fusion energy. This initiative aims to accelerate the production of clean and abundant electricity, a crucial step towards mitigating climate change.
Researchers have developed a high-performance laser system capable of measuring electron temperature and density in plasma at a world record speed of 20,000 times per second. This breakthrough enables detailed measurements of transient phenomena in plasmas, crucial for understanding and controlling fusion power generation.
Researchers at National Institutes of Natural Sciences observe plasma heating due to electromagnetic waves for the first time. They used a new measurement system to capture ultrahigh-speed data, revealing that Landau damping transfers energy from high-energy particles to electromagnetic waves, which then heat the plasma.
Researchers at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory have successfully applied boron powder to tungsten components in tokamaks, improving plasma confinement and reducing the risk of edge-localized modes. The innovative approach uses a PPPL-developed powder dropper to deposit boron coatings while minimizing disruptions to the magnetic field.
Researchers have discovered that resistivity can cause instabilities in plasma edge, making it more stable when included in models. The study aims to design systems for future fusion facilities with improved plasma stability.
Asteroids like Bennu and Ryugu appear rough due to the loss of fine-grained regolith caused by tiny space dust grains hopping around on their surfaces. This process may help small asteroids migrate faster through space, affecting their orbits.
Scientists have refined the use of magnetic fields to improve tokamak performance by suppressing instabilities called ELMs. The new technique allows plasma to operate in H-mode for longer periods, increasing efficiency and reducing the risk of damage to internal parts.
Researchers at PPPL have discovered that adding tungsten to plasma fuel pellets improves the compression of fuel, increasing fusion yield. The study uses krypton gas to measure X-rays emitted by the pellets, providing new insights into the fusion process.
Researchers at NIFS have made a groundbreaking discovery in fusion plasmas, finding that turbulence moves faster than heat. This characteristic allows for predictive control of plasma temperature, paving the way for real-time manipulation. The study used advanced instruments to measure turbulent behavior with unprecedented accuracy.
Researchers at Dartmouth College have developed a new theoretical description of how the Hall effect determines the efficiency of magnetic reconnection. The study reveals that the Hall effect suppresses energy conversion from magnetic fields to plasma particles, enabling rapid energy release and explosive magnetic explosions in space.
Researchers discovered a stronger flow in the plasma core surrounding the thermal insulation layer in deuterium plasmas, leading to better thermal insulation. This finding could improve future fusion power plants using deuterium and tritium as fuels.
Researchers have designed simpler magnets for twisty stellarator facilities, which could aid the development of a stellarator power plant. The new magnets have straighter sections than before while preserving their strength and accuracy.
Researchers have discovered that magnetic fluctuations can reduce heat load on fusion devices by propagating turbulence. This breakthrough enables a new method for controlling turbulence and maintaining high central temperatures in the plasma.
A POSTECH research team has developed a platform that can control and measure the properties of solid materials with light. This breakthrough enables the manipulation of quantum states in solids, which can be effectively used in quantum systems.
Researchers at Toyohashi University of Technology developed an ultra-high-rate coating technology for functional hard carbon films using vacuum plasma. The new method achieved a film deposition rate exceeding one order of magnitude faster than existing technologies while maintaining the same degree of film quality.
Scientists at Japan's National Institute for Fusion Science discovered a self-sustained mechanism that controls the heat load on the divertor in a fusion reactor. By analyzing the magnetic island and plasma current mirror, they found a competition between two processes that can be described by a biological predator-prey model, which su...
The US fusion community calls for a cost-effective pilot plant to generate electricity by 2040s. PPPL's study defines performance requirements and proposes a research facility to address key challenges, including heat delivery and plasma current integration.
A new simulation suggests that energy released near a black hole's event horizon during magnetic field line reconnection powers the intense flares. The process involves interactions between the magnetic field and material falling into the black hole, releasing hot plasma particles that radiate away as photons.
Researchers at GIST used ultrafast X-ray pulses to study warm dense copper electrons, revealing that bonds harden before melting. The findings could improve understanding of extraordinary material properties and their underlying mechanisms.
Researchers have achieved a record yield of over 1.3 megajoules from fusion reactions at the National Ignition Facility, surpassing previous experiments by an 8-fold and 25-fold margin. This milestone puts scientists at the threshold of fusion ignition, a crucial goal for the facility.
A new study from the University of Southampton demonstrates a safe method to clean and reuse facemask respirators using advanced low-temperature plasma technology. This technique can remove 99.99% of coronavirus while maintaining filter performance, reducing plastic waste by approximately 70%.
A team at HZB and PTB developed a method to measure the lateral expansion of the electron beam in laser plasma accelerators, achieving resolutions in the micrometre range. This technique uses coherent radiation of electron pulses via interference patterns to determine the beam cross-section.
Recent studies suggest that cosmic rays, originating from supernova remnants and pulsars, have a significant impact on galactic dynamics and star formation. The streaming instability triggered by cosmic rays in the interstellar medium can create plasma waves that heat and scatter gas, influencing the formation of planets and stars.
The Wendelstein 7-X stellarator has demonstrated reduced neoclassical energy transport, lowering plasma energy losses. The optimised magnetic field successfully minimises these losses, a major weakness in conventional stellarators.
Researchers have detected the birth and growth phases of high-energy runaway electrons in tokamaks, which can cause damage to the machines. The new diagnostic tool enables scientists to understand the energy content of the plasma and potentially prevent the electrons' damage.
The team uses state-of-the-art X-ray imaging to study plasma discharges in water, providing new insights into the phenomena. The research aims to advance green energy production through methods like fusion, hydrocarbon reforming, and hydrogen generation.
Laser physicists have built the first compact two-stage plasma-based accelerator, accelerating particles to near-light speed within a few millimeters. The hybrid plasma accelerator has shown more than three orders of magnitude higher acceleration fields than conventional accelerators.
The SPARC project has published seven research papers outlining the physics behind the ambitious reactor design, with calculations suggesting a Q ratio of 10 or more. The device aims to achieve a 'burning plasma,' a self-sustaining fusion reaction, which is crucial for developing practical power-generating plants.
The DOE's Innovative and Novel Computational Impact on Theory and Experiment program has awarded supercomputer access to 47 science projects for 2020. Projects will explore topics such as galaxy formation, molecular dynamics, and engineering simulations.
Researchers used plasma physics to study how volcanic ash modifies standing shock wave height, width, and lifetime. This discovery enables the tracking of standing shock waves in laboratory experiments, potentially leading to improved ash estimates and early predictions of hazardous plumes.
The US Department of Energy has extended Princeton University's contract to manage and operate the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory through March 31, 2022. The extended contract emphasizes collaboration among the University, lab, and DOE, with a focus on advancing research in fusion energy.
Researchers investigate how photon mass could influence galaxy rotation curves, potentially explaining the enigmatic 'dark matter'. The study's findings suggest a possible solution to the long-standing rotation-curve problem.
Researchers at DOE's Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory discovered a way to more accurately measure the electrical properties of plasma. They found that a positive charge can sometimes surround probes, contradicting long-held assumptions about the plasma-wall sheath.
Researchers have developed a new laboratory method to study magnetic reconnection, a process giving rise to solar flares and northern lights. The technique enables precise investigation of this phenomenon without overheating the plasma, opening doors to better understanding solar flares' impact on communication systems.
Scientists have developed diagnostic tools to improve the controllable and selective fabrication of nanomaterials. New discoveries reveal that molecular precursors govern the synthesis of carbon nanotubes in a purely carbon electric arc. This breakthrough opens the door to improved predictive modeling of nanosynthesis.
Researchers used a lattice-Botzmann method to simulate the impact of microdroplets on dry surfaces, revealing distinct physics at the microscopic level. They found that droplet sizes in spray cooling are three orders of magnitude smaller than previously studied millimeter-size droplets, and that this affects their dynamics.
Researchers at PPPL have discovered a source of fast magnetic reconnection in plasma, which could lead to more accurate predictions of damaging space weather and improved fusion experiments. The finding shows how electron pressure accelerates the process, balancing electric current and preventing halting the reconnection process.
A new project aims to develop a device that can accumulate and deliver unprecedentedly intense positron pulses. The goal is to investigate exotic states of matter and mixes of matter and antimatter, potentially opening up new areas of experimental research.
Scientists develop rigorous new method for modeling the accretion disk that feeds the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy. This approach replaces traditional formulas with a kinetic method to trace collisionless particles, improving understanding of plasma behavior and radiative efficiency.
Scientists have developed a new theoretical framework to improve the stability and intensity of particle accelerator beams. The theory couples vertical and horizontal motions of particles, providing important tools for designing high-intensity beam manipulations.
Mark Rosin, a physicist, has been recognized by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for his creative and sustainable public engagement strategies. He organizes interactive events that mix science with art, music, and play to reach diverse audiences.
Researchers at PPPL used 3D printers to create customized parts for experiments, including cones, cylinders, and electrodes. The printed parts proved accurate and reliable, meeting laboratory requirements.
The WEGA fusion device is being transferred to the University of Illinois for further research and development. The device will be re-assembled as HIDRA and used for plasma physics and fusion research.
Researchers at Princeton University and PPPL are developing a unique process to verify that nuclear weapons contain true warheads. The goal is to confirm the authenticity of inspected items without revealing sensitive information.
The Princeton University Art of Science 2013 exhibit features top three awards in a juried competition and People's Choice images. The gallery includes structural diagrams resembling flowers, close-up photographs, and worm images, sparking debate among artists about the nature of art.
University of Chicago physicists create linked and knotted vortex loops, a feat long elusive in lab experiments. Their work relates to turbulence, plasma physics, ordinary fluids, and superfluids, offering potential solutions to longstanding puzzles.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have successfully conducted dry-run experiments on a key aspect of their MagLIF nuclear fusion concept. The experiments tested the durability of cylindrical beryllium liners under intense magnetic fields, with promising results that suggest the concept is moving closer to achieving scientific...
Researchers confirm existence of spherical magnesium-32 nucleus, contrary to predicted shell structure. The finding has implications for understanding element synthesis in stellar explosions and requires further experiments to refine predictions.
The Art of Science 2010 exhibition features breathtaking images created by Princeton researchers, exploring the beauty in scientific inquiry. The competition attracted top talent, with cash prizes awarded to first, second, and third place winners for their visually stunning entries.
Research focuses on transport phenomena in heterogeneous media, exploring anomalous transport and its role in hydrogeology. The study highlights the importance of concentration tails in assessing radioactive waste disposal reliability.
Miniature smart dust probes are being developed to collect data on fluid systems. Researchers have also created stealthy gas-filled antennas that can be reconfigured for improved signal reception, while a new analysis improves calculations for high-energy physics experiments by factors of a million
Researchers at the Nevada Terawatt Facility have made a significant step forward in understanding fundamental processes required for controlled fusion energy. They developed a new technique to measure mass transport and magnetic field dynamics in low wire array z-pinches, which could lead to improved efficiency in energy transfer.
Researchers have developed a method to visualize the Z machine's key process using a single-frequency crystal. The images reveal that wires do not uniformly disintegrate, but instead heat and melt, with electrical current diverted to the plasma surrounding the dense wire cores.
The US ITER Project Office will be managed by the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory in partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory. This collaboration aims to secure technical assistance, procure hardware contributions, and coordinate US fusion community activities for the international ITER project.
The Department of Energy recognizes PPPL's DeLooper for his crucial role in coordinating the Snowmass Fusion Summer Study Workshops, which brought together leading scientists from the US and international community. This success led to a consensus in the fusion community that enabled the Administration to join ITER negotiations.
Researchers at PPPL and USDA's ERRC are collaborating on a $120,000 project to develop radio frequency pasteurization methods. The new techniques use RF waves and microwave heating to effectively pasteurize raw liquid foods like eggs and milk without overheating them.