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UC Davis Plasma Diagnostics Group |
Fusion is the process that powers
the sun and the stars. Controlled thermonuclear fusion on earth requires temperatures
of 100 million
degrees or more, sufficient to ionize electrons from their
nucleus and to form an ionized gas or plasma.
Magnetic confinement fusion uses magnetic fields to hold a
plasma in place while it is heated to ignition temperature by external
sources.
An artists' drawing of a tokamak, the leading candidate for a magnetic
confinement fusion device, is shown to the right (illustration
courtesy of General Atomics).
The thrust of the UC Davis Plasma Diagnostic
Group (PDG) is the development of advanced millimeter-wave plasma
diagnostic
instruments and techniques on relevant magnetic fusion devices, and
obtaining important physics results with these diagnostics.
A further important
mission is the training of the next generation of plasma physicists and
engineers. In this regard, UCD is
extremely fortunate to have available perhaps
the most extensive microwave, millimeter-wave, and submillimeter-wave
equipment
collection available anywhere, and has been designated a
Further capabilities are provided by
extensive collaborations with fusion researchers and millimeter-wave technology
researchers
worldwide.
Information on current PDG research areas may be found using the drop-down menu (above) or by using links (below)
Comments to: Calvin Domier