XCP-6: Plasma Theory and Applications
Developing and promoting state-of-the-art theoretical and computational modeling of plasmas
High altitude nuclear bursts
Researching the effects on infrastructure of high altitude nuclear bursts, lightning, and geomagnetic storms 
3D VPIC simulation of electron plasma wave self-focusing in stimulated Raman scattering
VPIC modeling of magnetic reconnection
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
