Plasma Physics
Experimental Physics of Reactive Plasmas
Our research focuses on the fundamental comprehension of plasma-surface interactions. We conduct numerous experiments in reactive plasmas to identify the fluxes of reactive particles and the resulting surface processes. Our diagnostics often comprise optical in-situ diagnostics in the visible and infrared spectrum as well as mass spectroscopy. A unique particle beam experiment completes the analysis allowing for the direct study of heterogeneous surface reactions.
We are interested in a better understanding of pulsed magnetised high-performance plasmas for the synthesis of oxides and nitrides as well as in the plasma-assisted production of barriers and membranes. Another big field is the analysis of non-equlibrium processes in atmospheric-pressure plasmas that can be used for plasma catalysis and plasma-assisted electrolysis.
Experimental Plasma and Atomic Physics
In the centre of our research interest lies the physics of plasmas far from thermodynamic equilibrium. This comprises questions regarding resistive and collisionless heating, transport and distribution of charged and uncharged particles, the propagation of electromagnetic fields as well as connected aspects of atomic and molecular physics.
The application and development of new diagnostic methods is of special importance for this purpose. We generally make use of a broad spectrum of optical and electrical techniques with a focus on laser spectroscopy. Through the combination of experiment, simulation and analytical model we try to gain knowledge about the fundamental physical laws and processes.
Theoretical Plasma, Laser, and Atomic Physics
We engage in questions regarding turbulence and reconnection in plasma-physical flows. The plasmas are described through kinetic or fluid-dynamical models depending on their application and we use both analytical and numerical approaches for a better understanding of these systems. Main tools for the investigation of MHD-like systems are the racoon framework which is based on adaptive mesh refinement and the cudaHYPE framework for parallel calculations on a cluster of graphic cards. The FlareLab experiment is accompanied by simulations with racoon and experiments regarding magnetic dynamos are simulated using the LaTu spectral code. Both racoon and LaTu linearly skale up to 262144 cores. Kinetic simulations are conducted with the Vlasov-solver DSDV.
Institute of Energy and Climate Research (Forschungszentrum Jülich)
Our focus is the energy output from combustion chambers of fusion reactors. Here we see an extremely high thermal load future power plans have to cope with in order to be efficient. We therefore investigate suitable materials and analyse their plasma-wall interaction. The investigation of neutron damaged fusion materials is another research focus.
We use linear plasma systems to simulate the wall load in a fusion reactor. Our aim is to understand the influence of the damage on the lifetime of wall components and the storage of the fusion fuels deuterium and tritium in the wall's material. We develop measuring methods to characterise the plasmas and surfaces as well as new concepts to optimise the wall components.