WORKSHOP: Plasmas, Computation and Mathematics

Completed

Nuclear Fission and Fusion(Nuclear Fusion)
Not Energy Related

Basic and strategic applied research

PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Physics)

Not Cross-cutting

Dr DA Burton
Physics
Lancaster University

Standard

EPSRC

25 May 2009

24 October 2009

5 months

£7,246

Mathematical sciences

North West

Mathematical Sciences

Dr DA Burton, Physics, Lancaster University

Plasmas are partially ionized gases that exhibit collective behaviour, and may be considered as a state of matter distinct from solid, liquid and gas. They are ubiquitous in Nature and comprise most of the matter in the Universe. Compact plasma-based light sources have the potential to revolutionise time-resolved studies of atomic transitions and lead to dramatic development of new devices for medical diagnosis. Plasmas are key to fusion energy research, which may lead to an almost limitless source of energy for mankind's future.However, modelling complex plasma configurations presents many challenges for mathematics, physics and engineering. This workshop will bring together a group of applied mathematicians and physicists whose skills can offer a mutually beneficial forum for the exchange of ideas on problems in plasma physics. Mathematicians working in non-linear dynamics, differential geometry and topology, and numerical analysis possess tools that can open up new avenues of exploration in plasma physics and numerical simulation. Physicists can in turn help focus the mathematical work into areas of most relevance to them. In this way it is envisaged that new insights into complex plasma processes can be achieved

14/09/09