Micro-Biology

Plasma Interactions with Biological Systems

In the section "Plasma Interactions with Biological Systems" we focus on interactions of technical plasmas with biological systems relevant for plasma sterilization and bio-medicine. With regard to plasma sterilization we address the efficiency of different plasma reactors as well as mechanisms of inactivation of both bio-molecules and organisms. The influence of the biological matter on the composition and characteristics of the plasmas is also of great interest. Atmospheric pressure plasmas harbor great potential for applications in bio-medicine. We seek a better understanding of the interactions on a molecular level as well as the system level by modeling and characterizing the plasmas and analyzing the effects on bio-molecules and living systems.

The Research Department “Plasmas with Complex Interactions” explores currently unknown scientific areas which are 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. The Research Department carries plasma techniques and methods well beyond their traditional limits by exploring the interfaces to solid state physics, materials science, chemistry, biology and astronomy. The RD consists of five sections.

Theoretical physics

Modelling, Theory, and Computational Plasma Physics

Typical interactions in most plasma systems involve length scales varying over orders of magnitude from kinetic to macroscopic fluid scales. Modeling of these interactions requires multiscale modeling of small-scale processes. In order to develop such models insight gained from multiscale adaptive mesh refinement simulations and even multiscale-multiphysics simulations coupling kinetic and fluid-like descriptions are necessary. Full six-dimensional Vlasov simulations have started to be feasible with the introduction of massive parallel machines like BlueGene or new techniques based on graphics card computing.

Experimental physics

Low Temperature Plasmas and Microplasmas

This section deals with the development and characterization of low temperature plasma discharges operating at low pressures, at atmospheric pressure or above. Low pressure plasma discharges are governed by various energy coupling mechanisms and by the rich chemistry driven by the complex electron energy distribution function. Microplasmas - plasmas being confined within narrow spaces (~10µm) allow the stable operation of plasmas with non-equilibrium properties. Microplasmas are characterized by high electron densities and very low electron temperatures. All this research is accompanied by appropriate multi-scale models based on an improved theoretical understanding.