Discovery Plasma Science: A question on Facilities
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The National Academies, Plasma Science Committee September 25, 2013
Ann SatsangiOffice of Fusion Energy Science
Department of Energy
a task for the Committee
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intermediate-scale facilities
enhancing capabilities
for plasma science
discovery
IdentifyNeeds andOpportunities
(Activity #2 in NRC proposal #10001361)
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Success in the Fusion Energy Sciences will have far-reaching implications
MissionThe mission of the Fusion Energy Sciences (FES) program is to expand thefundamental understanding of matter at very high temperatures anddensities and to build the scientific foundations needed to develop a fusionenergy source. This is accomplished by the study of the plasma state and itsinteractions with its surroundings.
the broader role of FES
Plasma Science 2010
Principal Recommendation:
“To fully realize the opportunities in plasma research a unified approach is required. Therefore, the Department of Energy’s Office of Science should reorient its research programs to incorporate magnetic and inertial fusion energy sciences; basic plasma science; non-mission driven HEDLP; and low temperature plasma science and engineering.”
discovery plasma science elements
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NSF/DOE Partnership
Research of fundamental plasma science and engineering issues awarded through annual joint NSF/DOE solicitation - 39 projects at 25 institutions
DOE Laboratory General Plasma Science
Research at the National Labs exploring: magnetic reconnection, laboratory simulation of solar flares, plasma flow through magnetic nozzle, plasma sheath and surface interactions.
Plasma Science Centers
Multi-institutional collaborative teams focused on critical questions: LowTemperature Plasmas; Astrophysics-Laboratory Plasma Connections;Momentum Transport, Magnetic Instabilities; High Energy Density Plasmas
Plasma Science Facilities
“User” Facility: access to frontiers of plasma science• Basic Plasma Science Facility (BaPSF) at UCLA: 10 m plasma column
for studying waves and non-linear effects in a fully magnetized plasma
• Matter at Extreme Conditions (MEC) end station on LCLS at SLAC: high power optical lasers combined with the LCLS hard-x-ray beam, for studying warm dense matter physics, high pressure studies, shock physics, and high energy density physics
Fundamental low-
temperature plasma science
Discovery-driven high
energy density plasma science
Cross-cutting plasma
research
Intermediate-scale plasma
science
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‘Plasma 2010’ identified four research challenges not being met
Fundamental low-
temperature plasma science
Discovery-driven high
energy density plasma science
Cross-cutting plasma
research
Intermediate-scale plasma
science
7
‘Plasma 2010’ identified four research challenges not being met
Fundamental low-
temperature plasma science
Discovery-driven high
energy density plasma science
Cross-cutting plasma
research
Intermediate-scale plasma
science
8
‘Plasma 2010’ identified four research challenges not being met
Fundamental low-
temperature plasma science
Discovery-driven high
energy density plasma science
Cross-cutting plasma
research
Intermediate-scale plasma
science
9
‘Plasma 2010’ identified four research challenges not being met
Fundamental low-
temperature plasma science
Discovery-driven high
energy density plasma science
Cross-cutting plasma
research
Intermediate-scale plasma
science
10
‘Plasma 2010’ identified four research challenges not being met
Office of Science management model
Pushing Frontiers of Scientific Knowledge• scientific research
• open-access scientific
user facilities.
First-Rate Scientists
World-Class Facilities
effective investments in General Plasma Science
Identifying gaps in our current portfolio…
“Some of the most profound questions of plasma science are ripe for exploitation right now and best addressed at the intermediate scale”
- NRC “Plasma 2010” Report
Additional experimental facilities or upgrades could be initiated.• NRC Plasma Science Committee to scope potential facility
opportunities and areas of need• Complement existing capabilities• Provide a suite of user-accessible research tools
Preference towards open access and “User” facilities will leverage these investments into research capabilities for the entire GPS community
Future Directions:
GPSPORTFOLIO
Low Temperature Plasma Science
Basic Plasma Science
@ Univ/Industry
@ DOE Lab
@ Univ/Industry
@ DOE Lab
Single Investigator
NSF/DOEPartnership
Grants
Lab Award
NSF/DOEPartnership
Grants
Lab Award
Centers/Collaboration PSC PSC CMTFO
CMSOCMTFOMPPC
User Facilities ? ? BAPSF ?
Leverage prior Investments (e.g.. dusty plasma and dynamo facilities)Enhance and upgrade existing facilities (magnetic reconnection, basic plasma toroidal facility)New facilities meeting specific needs
Opportunities Await
what is an “intermediate scale” facility?
bigger than…
smaller than…
$ Construction
$ An
nual
Ope
ratio
ns
$2M
$300k
$4M $40M
what is an “intermediate scale” facility?
why intermediate scale facilities?
Push frontiers of scientific knowledge – beyond that of the university, single investigator scale
Flexible – to fit needs of a discovery science approach
Accessible – to a broad range of users
Collaborative environment for student development
Plasma Science Committee input
Question:Where can moderate Federal investments in intermediate-scale facilities provide access to unique capabilities to push discovery in fundamental plasma science?
Comment on:• Areas of capability gaps• Areas of technology readiness• Areas of high impact• Level of accessibility and demand
- broad impact via open use / user facility • Connectivity - potential to precipitate beneficial collaborations to reach other
connections (i.e. international, interdisciplinary)