Explore how our groundbreaking research in fusion energy, plasmas, and magnets accelerates understanding and generates new technologies.
Some people are surprised to learn that plasma research is more than just physics and fusion—among other things, it’s brought us technologies used to detect pollution, emissions, and explosives.
Now, a unique PSFC-originated millimeter wave source is being explored for use in deep geothermal power generation.
Matter behaves differently when it’s under extreme pressure—understanding that behavior helps reveal the secrets of star formation, solar events, and also fusion. Our researchers are especially interested in how plasma and magnetic fields react during a type of fusion called “inertial confinement", which uses lasers to induce fusion reactions.
What happens when a superheated plasma touches whatever’s containing it? We search for the answer using particle accelerators to blast different materials with extremely energetic particles. Results reveal how to make durable fusion devices.
Plasma, the fourth state of matter, is extremely hot and unstable, which makes it tough (and fun) to study. We decipher the behavior of plasmas by generating them in labs, and deepen understanding with the help of data simulations, AI, and quantum computing.