Plasmas and Nuclear Fusion Labs

NERS Faculty Labs

Computational Plasma Science and Engineering Group

The Computational Plasma Science and Engineering Group (CPSEG) investigates fundamental and applied processes in low temperature plasmas through development and use of computer models. The group emphasizes multi-scale models (nm to meters, ns to seconds) and plasma surface interactions using advanced computational techniques. The goal is to develop fundamentally based simulations to investigate the science which are also able to be used as computer-aided design tools by collaborators. Current emphases are on microplasmas, microelectronics processing, real-time-control of plasma properties and environmental/biomedical use of plasmas.

High Field Science Group

The High Field Science group at the Center for Ultrafast Optical Science (CUOS) is a world-leading group researching the science and applications of relativistic plasma. We are engaged in a number of ongoing key research projects involving the generation of relativistic plasmas. Our experiments include table-top acceleration of high peak energy electron beams using plasma bubbles, acceleration of high quality energetic ion beams, the generation of high brightness x-ray pulses and laser driven neutron sources, in addition to numerical modeling of laser-plasma interactions. We are also involved with other studies, ranging from the investigation of phenomena related to generating fusion energy using lasers, to the use of laser-plasmas to study astrophysical phenomena. In addition, we are working on the development of ultra-high power laser technology.

Plasma, Pulsed Power and Microwave Laboratory

The purpose of the Plasma, Pulsed Power and Microwave lab is to investigate the fundamental physics and technology of interactions between beams of electrons, ions, plasma, microwaves, laser light and radio frequency radiation with plasmas, materials, structures and biological cells. Numerous state-of-the-art, high-power accelerators, lasers, high power microwave sources and diagnostic instrumentation are utilized in this research.

Plasma Science and Technology Laboratory

The Plasma Science and Technology Laboratory’s focus is on understanding and applying plasma science to real world problems. The lab has four major thrust areas: plasma space propulsion, plasma processing, environmental mitigation and energy conversion. Particular attention is paid to those applications that protect the environment and those that improve the quality of life in underdeveloped countries.

Shared Facilities

Center for Ultrafast Optical Science (CUOS)

The Center for Ultrafast Optical Science (CUOS) is an interdisciplinary research center in Michigan Engineering at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. CUOS was sponsored as a Science and Technology Center by the National Science Foundation during 1990-2001 and, as a Michigan Engineering Center, continues its research in ultrafast optics with funding from a variety of government agencies and industry. Its mission is to perform multidisciplinary research in the basic science and technological applications of ultrashort laser pulses, to educate students from a wide variety of backgrounds in the field and to spur the development of new technologies.

Michigan Institute for Plasma Science and Engineering

The Michigan Institute for Plasma Science and Engineering is a community of faculty, staff and students at the University of Michigan whose research and education programs are devoted to the advancement of the science and technology of plasmas. The breadth of research is impressive – from laser produced plasmas for particle acceleration to plasmas in the earth’s magnetosphere. MIPSE provides opportunities for faculty and staff to collaborate across disciplinary boundaries and competitive fellowships to graduate students. MIPSE sponsors a seminar series, the Annual Graduate Student Symposium and the graduate certificate program in Plasma Science and Engineering (PSE).