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The research activities associated with the MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center cover a broad range of engineering and scientific disciplines related to the development of plasma science and its many applications, especially fusion energy. Research is organized in five major divisions:
1. The Physics Research Division http://www.psfc.mit.edu/research/physics_research/ develops the basic experimental and theoretical understanding of plasma behavior in tokamaks such as Alcator C-Mod and other plasma devices. This research includes turbulent and collisional transport, fluid and kinetic stability, wave-particle interactions and methods of plasma heating.
The Versatile Toroidal Facility (VTF) http://www.psfc.mit.edu/research/physics_research/vtf/ is used to study magnetic reconnection in the presence of nearly collisionless plasmas, a process that is observed in magnetic fusion, solar eruptions, and astrophysical phenomena. UROP topics include: basic experimental plasma physics on the Versatile Toroidal Facility (VTF); advanced diagnostics; experimental study of magnetic reconnection.
Division Contact: Prof. Jan Egedal, NW17-250, x3-8692, jegedal@psfc.mit.edu
The Levitated Dipole Experiment (LDX) http://psfcwww2.psfc.mit.edu/ldx/, an important collaboration with Columbia University, is being used to study the confinement of plasma in dipole magnetic fields for fusion, magnetospheric, and astrophysical applications. UROP topics include: basic experimental plasma physics, the development of theoretical and computational tools to accompany the Levitated Dipole Experimental program (LDX).
Division Contacts: Dr. Darren Garnier, NW17-209, x8-8997, garnier@psfc.mit.edu
Dr. Jay Kesner, NW17-213, x3-8662, kesner@psfc.mit.edu
Other Division UROP topics include theoretical research on propagation of waves in plasmas, wave-particle interactions, and wave-wave interactions. The research addresses topics in magnetically confined fusion plasmas, inertially confined high-energy density plasmas, Earth's magnetospheric plasmas, and astrophysical plasmas.
Division Contact: Dr. Abhay Ram, NW16-260, x3-8501, abhay@psfc.mit.edu.
2. The High-Energy-Density Physics (HEDP) Division http://www.psfc.mit.edu/research/hedp/ designs and implements experiments, and performs theoretical calculations, to study and explore the non-linear dynamics and properties of plasmas in inertial fusion and those under the extreme conditions of density (~1000 g/cc), pressure (~ 1000 gigabar), and field strength (~megagauss). The Division works closely with the OMEGA laser at the University of Rochester, and with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where the National Ignition Facility (NIF) is being built.
The High-Energy-Density Physics (HEDP) Group has opportunities for undergraduate students in a research program focused on inertial confinement fusion physics and high-energy density physics. Much of the group's research is directed towards achieving fusion ignition; they perform experiments on imploding fusion capsules in order to understand the dynamics of the implosion process. The student projects relate to either experimental or computational aspects of this work, or to assisting in data collection and analysis. Students with skills in general laboratory work, C++ programming, particle detection, imaging, optics, mechanical design, machining, electronics, nuclear physics, plasma physics or astrophysics are encouraged to apply.
Division Contacts:
Dr. Chi Kang Li, NW17-262, x3-0934, li@psfc.mit.edu
Dr. Richard Petrasso, NW17-256, x3-8458, petrasso@psfc.mit.edu
Dr. Frederick Seguin, NW17-254, x3-0836, seguin@psfc.mit.edu
3. The Alcator C-Mod Project http://www.psfc.mit.edu/research/alcator/ seeks to develop an understanding of the stability, transport and radiation properties of high-temperature toroidal fusion plasmas at near- reactor conditions. The Alcator C-Mod tokamak, a major National Facility operating at the PSFC, is being used to investigate methods of heating plasmas to fusion temperatures by means of radio-frequency waves to study methods of driving current in the plasma to optimize the tokamak configuration; to understand the confinement, stability and transport in high temperature plasmas, and to study wall interactions in magnetically diverted plasma configurations.
Students are welcome to propose topics related to toroidal confinement.
Division Contacts: Jessica Coco, coco@psfc.mit.edu.
Dr. Earl Marmar, NW17-186, x3-5456, marmar@psfc.mit.edu
Dr. John Rice, NW17-174, x3-6052, rice@psfc.mit.edu
Prof. Dennis Whyte, NW17-119, x3-1748, whyte@psfc.mit.edu.
4. The Fusion Technology and Engineering Division http://www.psfc.mit.edu/research/fusion_tech_eng/ provides critical engineering support for advanced design projects related to energy and power production and transformation. Although the Division has a broad spectrum of interests, it specializes in development of superconducting magnet technology for plasma fusion devices and other key facilities required to develop fusion energy. It also designs superconducting and conventional magnet systems and performs supporting R & D for applications in high energy physics research, defense, medicine, electric power and storage systems, magnetic separation, and for magnetic launch and levitation technologies. Recent work in energy applications is focused on application of high temperature superconductivity to power transmission and transformation.
The Division also develops advanced accelerator technology and cyclotrons for medical, defense and industrial applications. The development of these new concepts for compact high field cyclotrons permit novel applications of energetic particle sources to meet the world’s medical and security needs. Work includes fundamental beam dynamics using state of the art particle acceleration simulation codes, detailed engineering using our own and leading design and analysis tools and sub-scale testing of critical accelerator components. The science and technology of these accelerators is a useful experience for anyone considering an advanced science or engineering career.
In other energy applications, the Division also has interest in liquid fuels manufacturing and utilization, in particular, methanol from non-fossil sources. Applications of internal combustion engines operating with methanol are being investigated as well as methanol through gasification. The group has also interests in environmental particulate control, both gases (through novel electrostatic precipitation) as well as liquids (through High Gradient Magnetic Separation, HGMS).
Division contacts:
Superconductor Topics: Dr. Joseph Minervini, NW22-129, x3-5503, minervini@psfc.mit.edu
Engine, Fuel, Environmental Topics: Dr. Leslie Bromberg, NW22-127, x3-6919, brom@psfc.mit.edu
Cyclotron and Accelerator Topics: Dr. Timothy Antaya, NW22-139, x3-8155, antaya@psfc.mit.edu
5. The Waves and Beams Division http://www.psfc.mit.edu/research/wab/ conducts experimental and theoretical research on the physical principles of novel sources of coherent radiation ranging from the microwave to the infrared and optical regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Current research activities include research on the gyrotron, the free electron laser, the cyclotron autoresonance maser (CARM), and photonic bandgap structures. They also carry out research on novel concepts for high gradient acceleration of electrons to demonstrate the principles required for future generations of electron accelerators. A prototype 25 MeV electron accelerator is powered by a 25 MW, 17 GHz klystron.
UROP topics include: experimental research opportunities involving cyclotron resonance masers (gyrotrons), high-power microwave sources (FELs, relativistic klystrons and magnetrons), photonic crystals (photonic band gap materials, photonic band gap microwave amplifier and lasers), and high gradient accelerating structures operating at high frequency; theoretical research on beam physics.
Division contacts:
Dr. Michael Shapiro, Head, Gyrotron Research Group, NW16-172, x3-8656, shapiro@psfc.mit.edu
Dr. Richard Temkin, Division Head and Acting Head, Accelerator Research, NW16-186, x3-5528, temkin@mit.edu
Dr. Chiping Chen, Rm. 16-258, x3-8506, chenc@psfc.mit.edu
Safety: All PSFC personnel are briefed regarding safety requirements and practices related to the laboratory, shop, or office area in which they will be working. For further information on the safety requirements of the Center contact: Mr. Matt Fulton, NW21-214, x3-8917, fulton@psfc.mit.edu or Dr. Catherine Fiore, NW21-203, x3-8440, fiore@psfc.mit.edu.
For information about specific current UROP possibilities please visit the PSFC UROP website http://www.psfc.mit.edu/pe/education/undergrad.html, and contact Paul Rivenberg, rivenberg@psfc.mit.edu, 617-253-8101.
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