Los Alamos National Labs with logo 2021

XCP-6: Plasma Theory and Applications

Developing and promoting state-of-the-art theoretical and computational modeling of plasmas
  • High altitude nuclear bursts

    High altitude nuclear bursts

    Researching the effects on infrastructure of high altitude nuclear bursts, lightning, and geomagnetic storms

  • Electron plasma wave simulation

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

  • ALE current rho reconnection

    VPIC modeling of magnetic reconnection

Contact Us  

  • Group Administrator
  • Diana Garcia
  • Email

We are responsible for plasma physics theory and algorithm implementation in the Laboratory's Advanced Scientific Computing (ASC) 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.

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