PROJECTS


• Radiation Belt Dynamics and Remediation - Multi-University Research Initiative (MURI)


• Lunar Exploration Neutral Detector (LEND)


• Double Laser Pulse Propagation


• Computer Simulation of Plasmas


• Magnetic Reconnection and Thin Current Sheets


• Non-linear Dynamics, Complexity and Multiscale Phenomena


• HAARP Research


• Space Weather Forcasting


• High Altitude Lightning

Research Topics


• Novel Antenae for Generation of Alfven and Whistler Waves in Magnetosplasmas


• Ionoshperic Generation of and Propagation of VLF/ULF Waves using Modulated Ionospheric Heating


• Generation of Artificial Ionospheric Ducts using Ionospheric Heating


• Radiation Belt Electron Precipitation by Injection of Whistler and Electro-Magnetic Ion Cyclotron (EMIC) waves


• Energetic Proton Precipitation by Injection of Alfven Waves in the Radiation Belts


• Triggering of Artificial Stimulated Emissions - Modeling and Data Analysis


• Modeling and Experiments of Lower Hybrid Waves to Whistler Waves Conversion


• Modeling of Plasmonic Structures


• Generation of Controlled Radiation Sources in the Atmosphere using a Dual Femtosecond /Nanosecond Laser Pulse

Welcome to the Space and Plasma Physics (SPP) group home page. The group conducts research in the area of plasma physics in space and laboratory settings. Research involving space plasma physics includes high altitude lightning, ionospheric, magnetospheric and radiation belt physics, space weather, reconnection, astrophysical plasmas and collisionless shock waves. Research involving laboratory plasmas includes Terahertz radiation sources, laser-plasma and atmosphere interactions, and novel antenna concepts for efficient Alfven and whistler radiation in plasmas. Bridging the space and laboratory plasmas is use of he ionosphere and magnetosphere as an open plasma laboratory, driven by controlled injection of powerful HF waves generated by the ionospheric heater of the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) located in Gakona, Alaska. The SPP group emphasizes interdisciplinary research in areas involving important collective phenomena. In attacking these problems the group utilizes in addition to analytic theory, extensive numerical simulations - particle, fluid and MHD - laboratory and field experiments, space observations and data analysis. The group maintains close connection with local laboratories - Naval Research Laboratory, Goddard Space Flight Center, John Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory - and Universities - UCLA, Stanford, Dartmouth, New York University, Virginia Tech and Boston College.

US News: University of Maryland Graduate Plasma Physics Program Ranked 2nd in the country
http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/grad/phy/plasma_phy