Displaying items by tag: Plasma Theory

Biography

Sasha Philippov graduated with a M.S. in "applied physics and mathematics" with highest honors from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology in 2012, and received his Ph.D. in Astrophysical Sciences from Princeton University in 2017. He works on the theory and modeling of plasmas around black holes and neutron stars. Recent focus of the group was on understanding (a) mechanisms of coherent radio emission from neutron stars (including Fast Radio Bursts); (b) flares from accreting black holes and merging neutron stars, (c) particle acceleration in black hole-powered jets. These ongoing efforts contribute to interpreting the observed signatures of black holes and neutron stars using first-principles physics.

Biography

Phillip Sprangle is Professor of Electrical &Computer Engineering and Physics and is a member of the Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics at the University of Maryland as well as an Emeritus Scientist at the Naval Research Laboratory. Dr. Sprangle has a Ph.D. in Applied Physics from Cornell University. His current research covers a wide range of fields and includes the atmospheric propagation of high-energy lasers, laser driven accelerators, high intensity ultra-short pulse laser matter interaction and propagation physics, nonlinear optics and plasma physics. He is a fellow of the OSA, APS, IEEE and DEPS and winner of the Presidential Rank Award (2015), Advanced Accelerator Concept Prize (2014), James Clerk Maxwell Prize (2013), Fred E. Saalfeld Award (2012), Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award (2011), IEEE Plasma Science Award (2008), Sigma Xi Pure Science Award, (1994), International Free Electron Laser Prize (1991), E.O. Hulburt Science and Engineering Award (1986), two Technology Transfer Awards (1995, 2004), as well as the Top Navy Scientist and Engineer of the Year Award (2008). He has published over 300 refereed scientific articles and holds 18 US patents.

Biography

Roald Sagdeev is a UMD Distinguished University Professor Emeritus. He earned his Ph.D. in 1966 from Moscow State University and served for 15 years as director of the Space Research Institute, the Moscow-based center of the Russian space exploration program, where he holds the title of director emeritus. Prior to his work with the Soviet space exploration program, he had a distinguished career in nuclear science with international recognition for his work on the behavior of hot plasma and controlled thermonuclear fusion. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the Royal Swedish Academy, the Max Planck Society and the International Academy of Aeronautics. Sagdeev has received the American Astronautical Society's Carl Sagan Memorial Award, and the American Physical Society's James Clerk Maxwell Prize for Plasma Physics.

Biography

James Drake's research focus is on the theory and modeling of plasmas with applications to laboratory, space and astrophysical systems. He has made important contributions to the understanding of laser-plasma interactions, plasma turbulence and magnetic reconnection. On the topic of magnetic reconnection he and his students and colleagues have made key discoveries on the mechanisms that control the rate of reconnection, its explosive onset and the production of energetic particles. Collaborations with scientists with access to laboratory and satellite data have tested his models against reality. He is a UMD Distinguished University Professor.

Biography

Bill Dorland graduated with a B.S. in physics (special and highest honors) from the University of Texas in 1988, and received his Ph.D. in Astrophysical Sciences from Princeton University in 1993. He also earned a Master’s degree in Public Affairs from the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University in 1993, after completing a course of study focused on international science policy. He won the 2009 E. O. Lawrence Medal of the Department of Energy for his work on the theory and simulations of turbulence in nuclear fusion reactors. He is a UMD Distinguished Scholar-Teacher, and served as Director of the Honors College for seven years. He works in plasma theory and computational physics.

Biography

Thomas Antonsen graduated from Cornell University where he received a B.S. degree in electrical engineering in 1973 and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in 1976 and 1977, respectively. His research interests include the theory of magnetically confined plasmas, the theory and design of high power sources of coherent radiation, nonlinear dynamics in fluids, and the theory of the interaction of intense laser pulses and plasmas. He is a professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, a fellow of the American Physical Society, Division of Plasma Physics, and a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. He is a UMD Distinguished University Professor.