Formerly the Stanford Plasma Dynamics Laboratory, this laboratory
carries out applied plasma physics research, with broad applications in
the engineering sciences. Research spans many areas of
technological significance, including plasma processing of materials,
plasma propulsion, plasma aerodynamics, and plasma-assisted combustion,
to name a few. It is situated in the High Temperature Gasdynamics
Laboratory within the Department of Mechanical Engineering, but hosts
graduate students from all undergraduate disciplines.
Graduate Student Aaron Knoll has developed 2D z-theta simulations to
capture the development of high frequency waves which propagate along
the azimuthal direction of Hall discharges. These instabilities
are believed to be important in the establishment of the cross-field
electron current, which is anomalously high in these devices.
Read the
full news release »
