What is a Plasma Wave?

Abstract:

What is a Plasma Wave? And what are some useful things that it can be used for? This talk will explore how the simplest of waves in plasma can be used, among other things, to drive mega-amps of current, to divert mega-watts of power, or to mediate the next generation of laser intensities.

Biosketch:

NATHANIEL J. FISCH is professor and associate chair of the Department of Astrophysical Sciences and director of the Program in Plasma Physics at Princeton University. He is also the associate director for academic affairs at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory and an associated faculty in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Princeton University. Dr. Fisch is known for predicting new ways to control plasma, including methods of generating electrical current in plasma using electromagnetic waves. His current research interests include plasma physics with applications to nuclear fusion, lasers, propulsion, waste remediation, and astrophysics. Dr. Fisch is a recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship, the APS Award for Excellence in Plasma Physics, the Department of Energy Bronze Medal for Outstanding Mentor, the Ernest Orlando Lawrence Award, and the James Clerk Maxwell Prize for Plasma Physics. He earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.