Aim
The Research Department Plasmas with Complex Interactions supports and promotes the collaboration of researchers in alliances or their activities. In the research collaborations, the work of two Collaborative Research Centers is supported (CRC 1316 in the second funding period and SFB 1491 in the first funding period). Support of the Research Department Plasmas with Complex Interactions for organising events, for queries regarding research funding or even publicity is offered.
Scientific facilities
At the Research Department Plasmas with Complex Interactions, an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) device is available for surface analysis. The instrument is located at the Chair for Experimental Physics II in the NB building on the RUB campus. Three sample holders are available: the small one is a circular 1-inch holder, and the bigger one is a circular 2-inch holder. Finally, there is an angle-resolved sample holder on which up to eight samples can be mounted. The circular sample holders have masks which can be installed to measure wafers or any other solid sample.
Science funding
Plasma science is very unique in the national and international research landscape because it is a small community with great potential and very many links to other research fields. Currently, the importance of plasma technology can be seen particularly clearly in the international shortage of computer chips, the production of which is primarily based on plasma technology. This also shows very clearly how the car industry, the computer industry, the mobile phone industry and many standard products are dependent on plasma technology. Very often, traditional technologies face obstacles that can be overcome by using non-equilibrium plasmas instead or in combination with traditional methods. Such areas can be found in plasma catalysis, plasma medicine, material synthesis or analytical methods. This assessment also constitutes the central research strategy of the Research Department Plasmas with Complex Interactions to find partners at RUB and beyond to tackle those challenges. Plasmas are a valuable add-on that sets these research projects and proposals apart from their competitors.
Research fields
The Research Department Plasmas with Complex Interactions explores currently unknown scientific areas characterized by the complex interactions of plasmas with the media into which they are embedded and by their interactions with the bounding structures and materials, respectively. At the moment, the focus is (1) on plasma catalysis, plasma-supported electrolysis and biocatalysis to convert renewable energy into chemical energy, (2) on plasma-based material synthesis using high-performance pulsed plasmas, (3) on understanding plasma transport of cosmic radiation, (4) on plasma etching and micro structuring, and (5) on plasmas for medical applications such as plasma treatment of cancer and chronic wounds/diseases.