I work at the Cornell Laboratory of Plasma Studies (in conjuction with The Center for the Study of Pulsed-Power-Driven High Energy Density Plasmas). The main thrust of research is pulse power fusion. I am involved in two projects, the X-Pinch Pulser and the Low Current Experiment.
Pulse power fusion is a conceptually simple method of generating energy. A hydrogen target is surrounded by a cage of thin wires. When a large (terrawatt) electric current is sent through the wires, they explode. As the metallic wires boil and ionize to form a plasma, x-rays are emitted. High energy x-rays strike the hydrogen target rapidly heating and compressing it. With a suitable cage geometry and sufficient energy, this process will cause hydrogen atoms to undergo nuclear fusion. The reaction yields energy in the form of hot helium ions and fast neutrons.
At least that's the idea. So far, fusion has proved an elusive goal.
In the spring of 2003 I worked to determine the nonsteady-state plamsa
behavoir of plasma arround single wires.
Plamsa
Formation Mechanisms in Exploading Wire Experiments
My research in fall of 2004 examined the effect of wire holder
geometry on plamsa formation in single wire experiments.
Wire Holder Geometry Ects in Z-Pinch Plasma Formation