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Plasma Physics and Surface Science at RSPhysSE
Plasma physics and surface science research in RSPhysSE centres on the following areas:
- The Plasma Research Laboratory combines several large experimental pursuits in the area of plasma physics, embracing the H-1 National Facility Heliac - a large toroidal helical-axis stellarator device and the activities of the Space Plasma and Plasma Processing Group.
- The Department of Applied Maths is involved in the study of several aspects of surface science with especial emphasis on theoretical modelling and direct measurement of the minute molecular forces between surfacesand the assessment of the properties of a variety of surfactants. The School is a world leader in the design and construction of complex instruments to measure these forces and has sold its ANU designed surface forces apparatus to a dozen laboratories around the world.
- The School is a major partner in the CRC for Functional Communications Surfaces
A confined plasma is a complex physical system - an intrinsically non-equilibrium, open system into which energy is continuously being injected with low entropy and exhausted with a higher entropy, thus allowing various forms of self-organisation on different scales. The research of The Energetically Open Systems Group aims to elucidate the basic physical processes occurring in highly ionised, magnetically confined plasmas and geophysical fluids, to model and visualise such processes computationally in configurations of experimental relevance, to develop general approaches for understanding complex physical systems in general, and to investigate, at the conceptual level, advanced plasma confinement configurations for potential fusion power plants.
- Helicon Plasma Sources, high-density linear magnetic plasma devices driven by radio-frequency waves, were originated by the Space Plasma and Plasma Processing Group, and now come in many configurations, from the large WOMBAT experiment to small systems that can be transported in a suitcase. They continue to serve as a focus for basic research in wave-plasma interactions, flows, and potential structure, as well as a basis for innovative devices for technological application. Current activities include the use of helicon plasma processing systems for the surface processing of electro-optic materials, the development of high-brightness ion sources, and the development of compact plasma thrusters for deep space travel.
- The toroidal plasma program focuses on both fundamental physics of plasma and on the physics of plasma confinement for the production of electricity using fusion reactions like those that power the Sun. The heliac program brings together a number of groups who are interested in fundamental and applied plasma physics:
- Turbulence and Transport Studies (TTS) group investigates fundamental aspects of the turbulence generation such as wave-wave interactions, formation of structures, interaction between structures, as well as the particle and energy transport in toroidal plasma, including plasma confinement bifurcations and transport barrier formation. These studies are closely linked to such science areas as self-organization, phase transitions and synergetics.
- The Advanced Imaging and Inverse Methods (AIM) group combines the development of innovative laser-based and remote sensing systems with sophisticated inverse methods to visualize and understand the structural details and complex dynamical behaviour of high temperature plasmas. The work of the group also finds applications cutting across many areas of science, biology, environment and industry.
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Plasma Configurations pursuit studies ways of designing, modeling and producing precision three-dimensional magnetic systems for plasma confinement.
There are some cool images of plasma physics and Surface Science in our Image Library
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