The Fusion and Astrophysical Plasma Physics Group (FAPPG) at University of California San Diego studies the physics of plasma—hot, ionized gas—with the aims of advancing fusion energy and humankind’s understanding of the universe.
As theoretical physicists...
We aim to understand the phenomenology of plasma in the laboratory and in the cosmos. We use mathematical models and computer simulations to explain how plasmas move, interact with magnetic fields and boundaries, and evolve on various scales.
Working with collaborators in the U.S. and around the world, we advance fundamental physics concepts that guide experiments and project applications, such as the development of magnetic fusion energy.
This website offers information about our group members, research activities, and publications. We invite you to browse it and to contact us with any questions.
Special Announcements
Congratulations, Jiacong!
Jiacong Li defended his doctoral thesis on March 20th. Thanks to all who attended!
Thesis title: "Intrinsic plasma flows in straight magnetic fields: generation, frictionless saturation, and interaction"
Congratulations, Rima!
Rima Hajjar defended her doctoral thesis on February 26th. Thanks to all who attended!
Thesis title: "Ecology of flows and drift wave turbulence: reduced models and applications"
Latest Publications
Ecology of Flows and Drift Wave Turbulence: Reduced Models and Applications
Hajjar, Rima
Ph.D. Dissertation, Engineering Physics, UC San Diego, 2018
[pdf, author's version]
Observation of Multi-Channel Non-Local Transport in J-TEXT Plasmas
Shi, Yuejiang, Z. Chen, Z. Yang, P. Shi, K. Zhao, P.H. Diamond, J-M. Kwon, et al.
Nucl. Fusion 58, 044002, 2018; doi:10.1088/1741-4326/aaaa9b
The Ecology of Flows and Drift Wave Turbulence in CSDX: A Model
Hajjar, R.J., P.H. Diamond, and G.R. Tynan
Phys. Plasmas 25, 022301, 2018; doi:10.1063/1.5018320
[pdf, author's final version]
CHNS: A Case Study of Turbulence in Elastic Media
Fan, X., P.H. Diamond, and L. Chacón
Phys. Plasmas 25, 055702, 2018; doi:10.1063/1.5016075
[pdf, author's final version]
Temporal-Spatial Structures of Plasmas Flows and Turbulence Around Tearing Mode Islands in the Edge Tokamak Plasmas
Zhao, K.J., Y. Nagashima, F.M. Li, Yuejiang Shi, P.H. Diamond, J.Q. Dong, K. Itoh, et al.
Nucl. Fusion 57, 126006, 2017; doi:10.1088/1741-4326/aa8341
Edge Shear Flows and Particle Transport Near the Density Limit of the HL-2A Tokamak
Hong, R., G.R. Tynan, P.H. Diamond, L. Nie, D. Guo, T. Long, R. Ke, Y. Wu, B. Yuan, M. Xu, and The HL-2A Team
Nucl. Fusion 58, 016041, 2018; doi:10.1088/1741-4326/aa9626
Formation and Evolution of Target Patterns in Cahn-Hillard Flows
Fan, X., P.H. Diamond, and L. Chacón
Phys. Rev. E 96, 041101(R), 2017; doi:10.1103/PhysRevE.96.041101
[pdf, publisher's version]
Research
We develop theory related to plasma and fusion science, including:
- Nonlinear dynamics of plasmas and fluids
- Anomalous transport
- Self-organized criticality in confined plasma
- L-H transition, transport barrier physics
- Dynamo theory
- Nonlinear waves in space plasma
Funding
Our work is primarily funded by the Office of Fusion Energy Sciences of the U.S. Department of Energy (Grant No. DE-FG02-04ER54738).
Dedication
In memory of Professor Marshall N. Rosenbluth, an American plasma physicist and UCSD professor of enormous intellect, integrity, generosity, and vision.