Plasma Physics & Fusion 

Research in the Plasma Physics and Fusion Group of the Physics Department is in three important areas:

  1. Laser plasmas & inertial fusion energy
  2. Fusion Energy: Magnetic confinement 
  3. Low temperature plasmas for biomedical and technological applications

    In a collaboration between the University of York and the UK’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, we have recently created  the York Plasma Institute (YPI) providing a stimulating training and research  environment for the plasma sciences and technology. This includes the Fusion Learning Studio for postgraduate training; an impressive postgraduate research office space, and our remote tokamak control room for enabling fusion experiments around the World. Our plasma laboratories will be moved and substantially expanded in the state of the art YPI Laboratories have just begun construction, with the first phase to be completed early in 2012.

Areas of current research include:

  • Experimental fusion research on the MAST and JET tokamaks at Culham Science Centre, with an emphasis on ITER-relevant issues such as plasma instabilities, exhaust and regimes of improved confinement.
  • Non-linear theories and high performance computing of tokamak plasma instabilities, including turbulence and plasma eruptions that may provide a model for so-called “ELM” events (an important scientific research area for ITER).
  • Theoretical studies of the self-consistent interaction of energetic ions (produced either by fusion reactions or heating schemes) and plasma waves in tokamaks.
  • Experimental and theoretical research into the physics of  the exhaust plasma in a tokamak, with particular interest in novel exhaust systems, such as the “super-X divertor” on the MAST tokamak.
  • Low temperature plasmas for nanofabrication, such as in the manufacture of semiconductor chips.
  • In collaboration with the Biology Department, the development of atmospheric plasma jets for biomedical applications including sterilisation, wound treatments, dentistry and perhaps one day even cancer therapies.
  • Microplasmas and their interaction in large arrays - similar to plasma displays, but in open atmosphere for direct material treatments and even complex 3-dimensional structures.
  • Development of coatings and surface modifications for a range of applications, such as bio-compatibility and performance of materials in extreme environments.
  • The application of lasers to fusion research. This includes using lasers both to drive fusion reactions, in particular fast and shock ignition, and as diagnostic tools for fusion plasmas
  • Investigating and understanding relativistic laser interactions with solid materials, the physics of high-energy density, and warm dense matter.
  • Experiments and modelling using x-ray free electron lasers to produce high energy density plasmas.
  • The study in the laboratory of plasmas relevant to astrophysical problems.
  • Investigating and understanding extreme ultra-violet laser interactions with solid targets.
  • The effects of extreme electric and magnetic fields on plasma emission.

Funded in part by EPSRC, the York Plasma Physics and Fusion Group leads the Fusion Doctoral Training Network in collaboration with the Universities of Durham, Liverpool, Manchester and Oxford and in partnership with Culham Centre for Fusion Energy (CCFE), the Central Laser Facility (CLF) and AWE Aldermaston. This innovative programme provides an integrated training and research programme in the broad spectrum of fields that are relevant to plasma science and fusion energy research, leading to a PhD.

The Plasma Physics and Fusion Group also delivers an MSc in Fusion Energy.  This one year Masters-level taught course provides ideal preparation for fusion research, developing a breadth of technical skills (e.g. generic computational and data analysis skills, as well as the fusion-specific plasma expertise) that would be valuable for a wide range of subsequent research degrees or a research career. The programme includes a substantial research project, some of which are performed at large national laboratories, such as Culham Centre for Fusion Energy and the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory.

The Plasma Physics and Fusion Group was awarded the Vice Chancellor’s Team Teaching Award in 2011, recognising the quality of the Fusion Energy MSc and Doctoral Training Network.