Faculty of Physics and Astronomy
PROF. DR. JULIA TJUS, PLASMA ASTROPARTICLE PHYSICS
The research of the chair “Theoretical Physics IV: Plasma-Astroparticle Physics” is focused on the theoretical de-scription of particle interactions and transport in astrophysica, magnetized plasmas. By solving the transport equation in the diffusive propagation regime, or the equation of motion in the ballistic regime, we aim to describe the multimessenger signatures from astrophysical objects like active or starburst galaxies, supernova remnants, and the Milky Way. A special focus lies in the interpretation of high-energy gamma-ray and neutrino signatures, with a participation in the instrumentation, operation, and data analysis of the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA), being built in La Palma and Chile, to measure TeV gamma-rays, as well as the IceCube Neutrino Observatory, lo-cated deep in the Antarctic Ice at the geographic South Pole. In our work, we use and develop numerical solvers of differential equations and apply machine learning methods to large data sets.
Keywords: high-energy plasma-astrophysics, diffusive particle propagation, collisionless plasmas, machine learning, differential equations
Webpage: Theoretical Physics IV
Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information technology
DR.-ING. SEBASTIAN WILCZEK, CHAIR OF APPLIED ELECTRODYNAMICS AND PLASMA TECHNOLOGY (AEPT)
Within the scope of his activities, he is particularly engaged in the modeling and simulation of the COST jet for CO2 conversion. Meanwhile, he focuses on the simulation of surface DBDs.
Keywords: electron dynamics, capacitively coupled radio frequency discharges, secondary electron emission coffe cients
Webpage: Chair of Electrical Engineeringd and Plasma Technology
FACULTY OF Physics and Astronomy
DR. DIRK LUGGENHÖLSCHER, CHAIR OF EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS V
Central part of the research is the investigation of low temperature, non-equilibrium plasmas. These plasmas, either low or atmospheric pressure, are of technological relevance and due to their unique features widely used in semiconductor manufacturing, material processing, plasma chemistry or medicine. Different plasma sources are examined: low-, radio- or microwave-frequency plasmas. The energy coupling into the plasma is capacitively, inductively or by electromagnetic waves. The essential aim is understanding the physics of these plasmas. There-fore, the determination of as many as possible plasma parameters like density and velocity of electrons and ions, electric fields, currents and potentials is pursued. In order to do so, different diagnostics are applied and also developed, e.g. various kinds of laser spectroscopy, emission spectroscopy, electrical measurements.
Keywords: plasmas, plasma diagnostics, laser, spectroscopy
Webpage: Experimental Physics V
FACULTY OF Physics and Astronomy
JUN.-PROF. DR. MARIA ELENA INNOCENTI, COMPUTATIONAL PLASMA PHYSICS
The research is focused on the interaction of kinetic and global scales in space (heliospheric) plasmas. Fully kinet-ic, Particle-In-Cell codes are augmented with capabilities that specifically address the multiscale nature of plas-mas, e.g., adaptive-like models are used to simulate localized, small scall processes embedded in large domains, and fully kinetic Expanding Box Models are used to simulate expanding plasmas such as the solar wind. Current topics of research are magnetic reconnection in symmetric (e.g., magnetotail) and asymmetric (e.g., magnetopause) environments, and heat flux regulation by kinetic processes in the solar wind. Simulations results are compared and validated vs recent missions, such as the MMS and Parker Solar Probe, Solar Orbiter missions for magneto-spheric and solar wind simulations respectively.
Keywords: space plasmas, kinetic, adaptive, reconnection, heat flux
Webpage: Theoretical Physics I
FACULTY OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
PROF. DR. RALF PETER BRINKMANN, CHAIR FOR THEORETICAL ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
The main focus of the TET group is on the modeling and simulation of technological plasmas. A wide array of sys-tems and devices is addressed, distinguished by their excitation scheme (DC, pulsed, RF, MW), pressure range (1 to 105 Pa), and electron density (1014 - 1020 m-3). Special emphasis is on RF driven discharges (capacitively and inductively coupled plasmas), miniaturized plasma jets at ambient pressure, and magnetically enhanced high power plasmas (high power impulse magnetrons, magnetically enhanced hollow cathode arc discharges). Also addressed are core phenomena such as the plasma boundary sheath and the onset of spontaneous structure for-mation. Moreover, evaluation schemes for the plasma diagnostic methods are developed, particularly for passive and active plasma resonance spectroscopy. The research uses both analytical and numerical models, often in com-bination.
Keywords: Technological plasmas, kinetic theory, analytical methods, numerical methods
Webpage: Theoretical Electrical Engineering
Faculty of Chemistry
PROF. DR. NILS METZLER-NOLTE, CHAIR FOR BIOINORGANIC CHEMISTRY
Research in the Metzler-Nolte group is focused on the use of cold, atmospheric-pressure plasmas for chemical reac-tions and biological studies. By employing a range of analytical techniques, the group has elucidated the plasma reaction products of important biomolecules such as glutathione and vitamin B12, and selenium-containing bio-molecules. Moreover, we have described the interplay of redox-active transition metal ions such as iron with cold plasma, demonstrating catalytic reactions with plasmas. Current investigations use cold plasma to activate bio-active molecules and study the synergistic effects of cytotoxic molecules and plasmas, thereby potentially offering new approaches towards the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases or cancer.
Keywords: Plasma, plasma chemistry, medicinal chemistry, drug research, reactive oxygen species (ROS)
Webpage: Bioinorganic Chemistry
Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology
JUN. PROF. DR. ANDREW R. GIBSON, FACULTY FOR ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Research in the group is focused on the use of plasma-driven chemistry to enable novel technologies in the areas of biomedicine and sustainable chemical processing. To do this, methods to characterise and control the non-linear chemical processes in plasma sources are developed. Strong emphasis is placed on a combination of compu-tational and experimental measurements to obtain detailed insights into chemical pathways and enable comput-er-aided design of plasma sources for each application. The research programme includes; method development e.g. the construction of simulation frameworks , chemical reaction mechanisms and experimental protocols for reactive species measurement, such as absorption spectroscopy. These methods subsequently applied to under-stand the interaction of plasmas with application targets in the context of plasma-based disinfection processes, plasmas-based cancer therapy and chemical conversion in gases and liquids.
Keywords: plasma chemistry, biomedicine, sustainable chemical processing, disinfection, cancer therapy
Webpage: Biomedical applied plasma technology