Mission

Science & Innovation

Collaboration

Community

Environment

XCP-6: Plasma Theory and Applications

Organizations

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Weapons Engineering

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Engineering Technology and Design (E Division)

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Mechanical & Thermal Engineering (E-1)

Modern Manufacturing Methodologies (E-2)

Automation, Robotics, & Controls (E-3)

Experimental Design Engineering & Assembly (E-5)

Non-Destructive Testing & Analysis (E-6)

Test Engineering (E-14)

Integrated Weapons Experiments (J Division)

Dynamic Experiments (M Division)

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Shock & Detonation Physics (M-9)

Weapon Stockpile Modernization (Q Division)

Weapon Systems Engineering (W Division)

Facilities Operations Weapons Engineering (WFO)

Office of Design Agency Quality

Engineering Services

Infrastructure & Capital Projects

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Who We Are

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Gilbert Ratliff

Physical Sciences

Chemical, Earth and Life Sciences

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Chemistry

Actinide Analytical Chemistry

Chemical Diagnostics and Engineering

Inorganic, Isotope, and Actinide Chemistry

Nuclear and Radiochemistry

Physical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy

Bioscience

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Biochemistry and Biotechnology

Genomics and Bioanalytics

Microbial and Biome Sciences

Earth and Environmental Sciences

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Energy and Natural Resources Security Group

National Security Earth Science Group

Climate, Ecology and Environment Group

Scientific Software

Advanced Computational Geosciences Initiative

HR-ITS Live Course Materials and Evaluation

Space Hazards Induced Near Earth by Large Dynamic Storms

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Complex Model Downloads

Intelligence and Space Research

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ISR-1: Space Science and Applications

ISR-2: Electromagnetic Sciences & Cognitive Space Applications

ISR-3: Space Data and Software Systems

ISR-4: Space Electronics and Signal Processing

ISR-5: Space Instrument Realization

ISR-6: Space Remote Sensing and Data Science

Nuclear Engineering and Nonproliferation

Laboratory Directed Research and Development

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LDRD Quarterly Highlights

LDRD Performance Metrics

Long-Term Impact

Operations (DDOPS)Environment, Safety, Health, and Quality Plutonium Facilities Engineering

Detonator Production

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Detonator Production Culture

Weapons Production

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Pit Technologies

Supply Chain and Logistics

Program Project Interface

Nuclear Process Infrastructure

Prototype Fabrication

Actinide Material Processing and Power

Analytics, Intelligence, and Technology

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A-1: Information Systems & Modeling

A-2: Intelligence & Systems Analysis

A-3: Technology Applications

A-4: Advanced Research in Cyber Systems

A-5: Complex Response Solutions

X Computational Physics

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XCP-1: Lagrangian Codes

XCP-2: Eulerian Codes

XCP-3: Monte Carlo Codes

XCP-4: Continuum Models and Numerical Methods

XCP-5: Materials and Physical Data

XCP-6: Plasma Theory and Applications

XCP-8: Verification and Analysis

Parallel Computing Summer Workshop

Computational Physics Student Summer Workshop

Electron Microscopy Lab

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Apreo S, Apreo 2 S, and Inspect F SEMs

Helios G4 PFIB DualBeam

Helios Nanolab 600 DualBeam SEM/FIB

ThermoFisher Tecnai F30 TEM

ThermoFisher Titan 80-300

National Criticality Experiments Research Center

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Visitor Information

Radiation Protection

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RCT Recruitment

Annual Occupational Radiation Dosimetry Report

Plutonium Infrastructure Fire Protection Office X Theoretical Design Weapons Research Services

Safeguards and Security Technology Training Program

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Safeguards and Security Training Courses

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Advanced Gamma Nondestructive Assay

Advanced Neutron Nondestructive Assay

Fundamentals of Nondestructive Assay

Plutonium Calorimetric Assay

Statistical Concepts in Nuclear Safeguards

Online Training

Technical References

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Developing and promoting state-of-the-art theoretical and computational modeling of plasmas

We are responsible for plasma physics theory, simulation, and algorithm implementation with our multi-physics codes.

The Plasma Theory and Applications group (XCP-6) nurtures expertise in a range of plasma simulation capabilities, including particle-in-cell (PIC), hybrid (PIC + fluid), radiation-hydrodynamic, magnetohydrodynamic, and charged particle transport.

Xcp 6 Featured Body 960x500 — Researching the effects on infrastructure of high altitude nuclear bursts.

Our application areas include:

Charged particle beam generation
Plasma acceleration and transport
Model verification and physics validation
Inertial confinement fusion
Thermonuclear ignition
Laser-plasma interaction
Fast ignition concepts
High-energy density science
X-ray radiographic simulation
Particle-in-cell code simulations
High-power and high-energy electromagnetic sources
Directed-energy research
Pulsed-power physics
Magnetohydrodynamic phenomena
Space plasmas

Xcp 6 Featured Body 960x500 — A 3-D computer simulation of a cylindrical implosion experiment with a comparison of the simulated radiograph to experimental data.

VPIC modeling of magnetic reconnection — VPIC modeling of magnetic reconnection.

3D VPIC simulation of electron plasma wave self-focusing in stimulated Raman scattering — 3D VPIC simulation of electron plasma wave self-focusing in stimulated Raman scattering.