Project description DEENESFRITPL Unveiling the secrets of charged particle acceleration Particle acceleration and radiation in plasmas hold tremendous potential, from cancer therapy to lightning initiation and energy production. However, understanding the complexities of this phenomenon remains a formidable challenge. Funded by the European Research Council, the PLASMA project will construct a flexible ensemble of theoretical and numerical models. By unravelling the mysteries of fast particle dynamics in magnetic fusion plasmas and laser-produced plasmas, the project aims to shed light on the intricate interactions that govern charged particle behaviour. With a layered approach, combining theory and numerics, this interdisciplinary endeavour promises to revolutionise our understanding of particle acceleration, paving the way for remarkable advancements in scientific research. Overall, the project’s aim is to herald a new era in plasma physics. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective Particle acceleration and radiation in plasmas has a wide variety of applications, ranging from cancer therapy and lightning initiation, to the improved design of fusion devices for large scale energy production. The goal of this project is to build a flexible ensemble of theoretical and numerical models that describes the acceleration processes and the resulting fast particle dynamics in two focus areas: magnetic fusion plasmas and laser-produced plasmas. This interdisciplinary approachis a new way of studying charged particle acceleration. It will lead to a deeper understanding of the complex interactions that characterise fast particle behaviour in plasmas. Plasmas are complex systems, with many kinds of interacting electromagnetic (EM) waves and charged particles. For such a system it is infeasible to build one model which captures both the small scale physics and the large scale phenomena. Therefore we aim to develop several complementary models, in one common framework, and make sure they agree in overlapping regions. The common framework will be built layer-by-layer, using models derived from first principles in a systematic way, with theory closely linked to numerics and validated by experimental observations. The key object of study is the evolution of the velocity-space particle distribution in time and space. The main challenge is the strong coupling between the distribution and the EM-field, which requires models with self-consistent coupling of Maxwell’s equations and kinetic equations. For the latter we will use Vlasov-Fokker-Planck solvers extended with advanced collision operators. Interesting aspects include non-Maxwellian distributions, instabilities, shock-wave formation and avalanches. The resulting theoretical framework and the corresponding code-suite will be a novel instrument for advanced studies of charged particle acceleration. Due to the generality of our approach, theapplicability will reach far beyond the two focus areas. Fields of science engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringastronautical engineeringspacecraftengineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensorsoptical sensorsnatural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomygalactic astronomysolar physicsnatural sciencesphysical sciencesnuclear physicsnuclear fusionnatural sciencesphysical sciencestheoretical physicsparticle physicsphotons Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Topic(s) ERC-CoG-2014 - ERC Consolidator Grant Call for proposal ERC-2014-CoG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-COG - Consolidator Grant Coordinator CHALMERS TEKNISKA HOGSKOLA AB Net EU contribution € 1 948 750,00 Address - 412 96 Goteborg Sweden See on map Region Södra Sverige Västsverige Västra Götalands län Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00 Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all CHALMERS TEKNISKA HOGSKOLA AB Sweden Net EU contribution € 1 948 750,00 Address - 412 96 Goteborg See on map Region Södra Sverige Västsverige Västra Götalands län Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00
