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Dr. Piotr Rączka from the IPPLM Department of Laser Plasma Physics and Applications became a member of the Beam Plasma and Inertial Fusion (BP&IF) Council at the European Physical Society (EPS).

The BP&IF section represents researchers and coordinates cooperation in the field of High Energy Density Physics and High Field Physics. These are broad areas, including topics such as: laser-plasma interactions, hydrodynamics and instabilities of laser plasma, particle acceleration and research on the effects of quantum electrodynamics with the application of high-power lasers, research on the properties of matter in the range of high pressures and densities, as well as work on energy production from fusion reactions using high-power lasers and particle beams.

The activities of the section and its board include participation in the preparation and implementation of annual conferences in plasma physics (EPS Conference in Plasma Physics), coordination of European conferences devoted to current issues in the area of competence of the section, in cooperation with laboratories and physical societies from Asia and the USA, promotion of scientific cooperation between researchers from institutions involved in the activities of the section, as well as suggesting candidates for prizes.

Webpage of the Beam Plasma and Inertial Fusion section’s board: http://plasma.ciemat.es

Webpage of the BP&IF section: http://plasma.ciemat.es/eps

In 2022, the Ministry of Education and Science awarded the Institute of Plasma Physics and Laser Microfusion almost PLN 7 million for projects covered by the 'International Co-Financed Projects' programme.

In total, the Ministry of Education and Science allocated almost PLN 21 million for this purpose, with 27 universities and institutes receiving funding. The highest grant went to the IPPLM, namely PLN 6 856 192.

The programme is meant to support the participation of entities of the higher education system and science in international projects covering scientific research or development works co-financed from foreign sources within the framework of the European Union research programmes and other international research programmes, initiatives or undertakings.

On 17 and 18 December 2022, the International Centre for Dense Magnetised Plasmas (ICDMP) organised the International Workshop and Expert Meeting on Dense Magnetised Plasmas 2022 in a remote format, with participants presenting the latest research results on dense magnetised plasma problems obtained in their laboratories. The workshop was attended by 25 participants from 18 countries, who listened to seven presentations:

1. Sing Lee, "Next Generation Pulsed Power Fusion Drivers" – Institute for Plasma Focus Studies, Australia; INTI International University, Malaysia
2. R.S. Rawat, "Plasma focus: A novel facility for plasma nanotechnology and fusion relevant material testing" – Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
3. Leopoldo Soto, "Plasma Physics in Small Experimental Devices for Fundamental Research, Energy, Biomedicine, Matter and Nanosatellites" – Comisión Chilena de Energía Nuclear, Chile
4. Mohamad Akel, "X-ray emission from the tin target using the plasma focus" – Atomic Energy Commission, Syria
5. Pavel Kubeš, "Characteristics of ordered structures on dense plasma focus" – Czech Technical University in Prague, Czech Republic
6. S.K.H. Auluck and A.B. Blagoev, "Significance of Poloidal Magnetic Flux Emission in the Dense Plasma Focus" – ICDMP; Faculty of Physics at the University of Sofia, Bulgaria
7. M. Roshan, "Plasma Focus Ion beams" – Iran

The results of the research conducted in 2022 at the PF-1000U Laboratory (IPPLM) were presented by Prof. Pavel Kubeš of the Czech Technical University in Prague on behalf of the international team.

The ICDMP (International Centre for Dense Magnetized Plasmas) has been operating at the IPPLM since 1999. As part of the Centre's activities, the Institute organises annually a specialised Workshop and Expert Meeting on Dense Magnetized Plasmas and a meeting of the International Scientific Council of the ICDMP.

Photo: © IFPiLM

The Institute of Plasma Physics and Laser Microfusion has for many years supported the "Helenów" Rehabilitation, Education and Care Centre in Warsaw. This year, in addition to the traditional fundraising, there was also a fair of Christmas decorations and ornaments made by the charges of the "Helenów" centre.

A group of students and their tutors came to the IPPLM on 1 December 2022 at the invitation of the Staff Council. During the visit, the guests visited the Laboratory of Laser Plasma Spectroscopy, the Laboratory of Plasma Nudge for Satellites and the PF-1000U Laboratory. An additional attraction for the children was the workshop 'States of focus - science and art' in the GO Theatre of the Proscenium Foundation. The workshop was followed by a Christmas market.

From 28 November to 9 December, the Institute held a collection of donations for the wards of the "Helenów" centre. Thanks to the funds collected, Christmas presents were purchased and presented to the children on 15 December during a Christmas Eve meeting. The kindness of heart shown by the IPPLM staff evoked many warm smiles and joy.

Photo: © IFPiLM

On 13 December 2022, the US Department of Energy announced that researchers at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in the US succeeded in achieving a positive energy balance in the laser fusion process, meaning that more energy of 3.15 MJ was obtained for the first time than was put in by the 2.05 MJ lasers initiating the process.

This is a ground-breaking scientific achievement. It represents a milestone in research work on inertial fusion, where, with the application of powerful laser beams, fusion fuel can be compressed with sufficient precision to maximise the efficiency of the fusion process.

"Monday, 5 December 2022, was an important day in science, (…) During experiments, 192 high energy lasers converge on a target about the size of a peppercorn heating a capsule of deuterium and tritium to over 3 million degrees Celsius and briefly simulating the conditions of a star," Dr Jill Hruby, Under Secretary for Nuclear Security of the U.S. Department of Energy, said at a press conference. "We have taken the first tentative steps towards a clean energy source that can revolutionise the world," she added.

For laser fusion to have practical applications, it is necessary to build more efficient lasers with higher repetition rates so that the interaction with the fuel ball can occur more frequently. The development of new technologies also plays a key role. The road to building a fusion power plant is still quite complicated and scientists still have a lot of work ahead of them. However, the latest experiment shows that it is possible to build it precisely on the basis of inertial fusion powered by lasers.

"A small step has now been taken towards harnessing nature and achieving pure 'star' energy, based on inertial nuclear fusion. Just as the Apollo programme developed in the USA between 1966 and 1972 propelled various fields of science and technology, and it was a success for all mankind when Neil Armstrong took his first step on the moon in 1969, now the result obtained at the NIF will hopefully become the flywheel for the fact that it is possible and worthwhile to follow this development to make nuclear fusion a source of energy for future generations.", Dr. Marcin Rosiński, Head of the Department of Laser Plasma Physics and Applications at the IPPLM, commented the achieved results.

On the occasion of the announcement of success at the NIF, we must not forget about fusion energy developed in the concept with magnetic plasma confinement. In February 2022, it was announced that a record was achieved on the JET tokamak, in which the IPPLM researchers had their contribution as well.