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Department of Astro-fusion Plasma Physics (AFP)
The purpose and activities of the Department of Astro-fusion Plasma Physics (AFP)
More than 99% of the materials that we know of in the universe are in the plasma state. Therefore plasma physics offers basic principles for understanding various phenomena occurring in the universe. Plasma physics also provides the fundamental research engine in developing the fusion reactor, which is expected to be the ultimate energy source for human beings.
The National Institute for Fusion Science (NIFS) and the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) are two representative institutes in the National Institutes of Natural Sciences (NINS) for plasma physics research. These institutes have been conducting international research collaborations based on their worldwide research networks. For the purpose of strengthening such international collaboration activities with the emphasis on promoting the interdisciplinary scope of research, a new research unit of IRCC-AFP (International Research Collaboration Center, Astro-fusion Plasma Physics research unit) was established.
A new direction of the research activity of the Integrated Plasma Physics, which merges fusion plasma physics and astronomical plasma physics, is becoming more active recently in the United States and in Europe as well. The Max-Planck Society established the Max-Planck Center for the plasma physics together with Princeton University in the United States. This Max-Planck Center is an official (virtual) institute in society and has the role of international research collaborations. IRCC-AFP is promoting new research activities of the Integral Plasma Physics in collaboration with the Max-Planck Center for plasma physics as an international network involving three regions in the world.
An important elements of the research activities of IRCC-AFP are the IRCC-AFP fellows who are young scientists employed in the IRCC for the exclusive role of international research collaboration in plasma physics. This fellow is selected by the open job call under the collaboration of IRCC-AFP with Princeton University and the Max-Planck institutes. The main work place of this fellow is either in Princeton University or the Max-Planck institutes where he/she will be devoted to the role of promoting the collaboration research between Japan and the United States or Europe. Another part of IRCC-AFP research activities is establishing the international research collaboration network for plasma physics including domestic collaboration networks together with researchers in Japanese Universities who are active in international collaboration.
Member of Department of Astro-fusion Plasma Physics (AFP)
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Job Title |
Name |
Remarks |
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Department Director Project Professor |
Kazuhiro SEKIGUCHI |
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Associate Professor |
Mami MACHIDA |
National Astronomical Observatory of Japan | |
|
Professor |
Yasushi TODO | National Institute for Fusion Science | |
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Visiting Professor |
Hantao JI |
(1) Professor of Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton University (2) Distinguished Research Fellow, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory |
I am interested in basic plasma physics phenomena common in space, solar and astrophysical plasmas, as well as in laboratory plasmas including fusion-related plasmas. My primary research subjects include magnetic reconnection, magnetorotational instability in the lab, magnetized high-energy-density laser plasmas, free-surface liquid metal flow in magnetic field, and magnetic self-organization in laboratory plasmas. My primary research approach is to conduct experiments aided by theory, numerical simulation, and machine learning techniques. In the Department of Astro-fusion Plasma Physics (AFP), I intend to collaborate or to facilitate broad collaborations with students, postdocs, and researchers at NINS, including both NIFS and NAOJ, on any subjects listed above, as well as other related topics, based on mutual visits and joint projects. |
|
Visiting Professor |
Per HELANDER |
(1)Director at the Max Planck Insti tute for Plasma Physics (Responsible for the Stellarator Theory Division) |
My personal research interests include the kineti c theory of plasma equilibria, instabiliti es andturbulence, in parti cular with regard to plasmas confi ned by stellarators and tokamaks. At the Department ofAstro-Fusion Plasma Physics, I have been involved in the selecti on of postdoctoral researchers hired by IRCC-AFP. |
|
Visiting Professor |
Ryoji MATSUMOTO |
Chiba University |
My personal research interests include the kineti c theory of plasma equilibria, instabiliti es andturbulence, in parti cular with regard to plasmas confi ned by stellarators and tokamaks. At the Department ofAstro-Fusion Plasma Physics, I have been involved in the selecti on of postdoctoral researchers hired by IRCC-AFP. |
|
Visiting Associate Professor |
Yohei KAWAZURA |
Utsunomiya University |
My area of expertise is in theoretical and computational research on plasma turbulence in the context of astrophysics, including topics such as solar wind and black hole accretion flows. I am particularly interested in studying both collisional and collisionless astrophysical turbulence by using theoretical models, such as gyrokinetics, drift kinetics, and reduced magnetohydrodynamics, which have been developed in the field of magnetic confinement fusion. In AFP, I will contribute to bridging turbulent reconnection in magnetically confined plasma and in astrophysical systems. |
|
Visiting Associate Professor |
Gen CHIAKI |
National Institute of Technology, Kochi College |
|
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Visiting Associate Professor |
Arno VANTHIEGHEM | Princeton University |
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The annual meeting of MPPC program is held in Princeton University (January 19 - 26, 2021)
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