The National Research Council provides a working definition for high energy density (HED) plasmas as plasmas with energy density corresponding to a pressure exceeding about 1 Mbar. The atomic processes governing ionization and radiation, Coulomb and quantum interactions in these plasmas play very different roles and give rise to very different effects in the dynamics of the plasma than in plasmas of much lower densities. In most of the parameter space of HED plasmas, traditional plasma physics based on low-density plasmas and small-parameter expansion of the theory are largely invalid and inapplicable. New theoretical and computational approaches are required. More importantly, with the technological advances in recent years, experimental facilities have come on line or are about to come on line that enable the experimental studies of these plasmas in the controlled environment of modern scientific laboratories. This offers exciting opportunities for scientific advances that would result from the interplay of laboratory experiments, computational simulations and astrophysical observations. Examples of new phenomena that are accessible on existing and future HED experimental facilities include pressure (density) ionization; Fermi-degenerate plasmas; strongly coupled plasmas; high-Mach-number jets; relativistic plasmas and jets; ultrahigh magnetic field generation and its effects on the behavior of dense plasmas; the transition to turbulence in compressible, high-Reynolds-number, high-Mach-number flows; and fusing HED plasmas. The OFES program in HED laboratory plasmas (HEDLP) is focused on developing the knowledge base of HED plasmas which are most relevant to energy applications. At present, these areas include fast ignition; plasma jets and dense plasmas in high magnetic field; and particle-beam driven warm dense matter research. A discussion will be given on some of the research in these areas, the opportunities, the scientific issues and challenges.

address UC Davis Home Page CALFUSE Home Page