Stark Laser-Plasma Physics
Student and Postdoctoral Research
Research in the group spans undergraduate projects, senior capstones, graduate research, and postdoctoral work. The examples below show the range of questions explored through plasma theory, simulation, and analysis. These are project examples; contact David Stark to discuss possible opportunities.
Undergraduate and Capstone Projects
Gamma rays from plasma channels
Simulations examine how channeled laser-plasma geometries affect gamma-ray production.
Structured magnetic fields
Numerical studies explore how high-intensity laser-plasma interactions generate and shape magnetic-field structures.
Magnetic-field generation mechanisms
Particle-in-cell simulations investigate Biermann and special-relativistic mechanisms of magnetic-field generation.
Hall-thruster plasmas
A senior capstone project uses particle-in-cell simulations to explore plasma effects in Hall thrusters.
Polarized proton beams
An honors senior capstone project explores polarized proton-beam generation using semiclassical spin dynamics in particle-in-cell simulations.
Charged-particle trapping
A senior capstone project examined charged-particle trapping conditions in dipole and gravitomagnetic fields.
Relativistic Faraday rotation
This project examines how relativistic plasma conditions affect the rotation of light polarization in a magnetic field.
Graduate Research Projects
Relativistic transparency
Graduate research uses simulations and theory to distinguish thermal and laser-driven contributions to plasma transparency.
Ion acceleration in relativistically transparent targets
Research explores mechanisms of ion acceleration occurring within plasma targets that have been rendered transparent by relativistic effects.
Postdoctoral Research Projects
Gamma-ray production in plasma channels
Postdoctoral research investigates how laser-plasma interactions in channeled geometries efficiently produce high-energy gamma rays.
Kilotesla magnetic-field structures
Research explores the generation and dynamics of intense kilotesla magnetic fields created within hollow microcapsules by high-intensity lasers.
Laser-driven proton beams
This project investigates the acceleration of proton beams from targets tailored for advanced High Energy Density physics applications.
