Plasma Science and Engineering transforms fundamental scientific research into powerful societal applications, from materials processing and healthcare to forecasting space weather. Plasma Science: Enabling Technology, Sustainability, Security and Exploration discusses the importance of plasma research, identifies important grand challenges for the next decade, and makes recommendations on funding and workforce.


This publication will help federal agencies, policymakers, and academic leadership understand the importance of plasma research and make informed decisions about plasma science funding, workforce, and research directions.

Table of Contents


Front Matter
Summary
1 Plasma Science: Enabling Technology, Sustainability, Security, and Exploration
2 The Foundations of Plasma Science
3 Laser-Plasma Interactions: Compact Particle Accelerators, New Optics, and Brilliant X-Ray Sources
4 Extreme States of Plasmas: High-Energy Density Systems
5 Low-Temperature Plasmas: A Unique State of Matter for Addressing Societal Needs
6 Magnetic Confinement Fusion Energy: Bringing Stars to Earth
7 The Cosmic Plasma Frontier
Appendixes
Appendix A: Statement of Task
Appendix B: Summary of Findings and Recommendations
Appendix C: Survey Data-Gathering Events
Appendix D: Committee Member Biographical Information
Appendix E: Acronyms