Plasma Applications Group

The Flash Center works on several research applications in Plasma Physics, Astrophysics, and High Energy Density Physics (HEDP). HEDP refers to the physics of materials that are very hot and very dense. In nature, HEDP environments exist within the centers of stars and planets. Understanding the physics of High Energy Density (HED) plasmas is also critical for achieving fusion energy via inertial confinement. HED conditions can be created in the laboratory using a variety of techniques including high power laser systems. The FLASH code contains a wide array of capabilities to allow users to model HEDP experiments and is being actively used by the HEDP Group. The focus of these simulations is on experiments which use lasers to create shock waves in chambers filled with low density plasmas. Self-generated magnetic fields are directly measured using a variety of techniques and FLASH magnetohydrodynamic simulations are used to model the generation and evolution of these fields. Understanding the process by which magnetic fields are generated in plasmas is important for a wide range of physics including astrophysics/cosmology, fusion energy and inertial confinement fusion.

Group Leader: Petros Tzeferacos

Group Members:
  • Adam Reyes
  • Eddie Hansen
  • David Michta
  • Yingchao Lu
  • Marissa Adams
  • Abigail Armstrong
  • Kasper Moczulski
  • Pericles Farmakis


Past Members at UChicago
  • Don Lamb
  • Milad Fatenejad
  • Anthony Scopatz
  • Scott Feister
  • Benjamin Khiar
  • Klaus Weide
  • Norbert Flocke
  • Carlo Graziani
Overview The Plasma Applications group uses the FLASH code to simulate the physics of plasmas that are very hot and dense. The primary research focus involves modeling experiments that study the properties of self generated magnetic fields in plasmas. This research has relevance to basic science, cosmology/astrophysics, inertial confinement fusion and fusion energy.