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Institut für Plasmaforschung
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Introduction |
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Institut für Plasmaforschung
The physics of plasmas covers a wide field of fundamental and applied
research topics. Plasmas physics is the basis to understand the birth of
galaxies, the processes in the sun and the ionosphere, the generation of
arcs and lightning. But plasmas are also an important element in the
production of high-technology such as low-energy-consumption lamps, plasma
displays, bio-compatible material or microchips. Plasma is used for
sterilisation and to create nano-layers on material surfaces. Plasma is
needed for future technologies like plasma thrusters or nuclear fusion
reactors, which are an important option for future energy production.
The scientific contributions of IPF cover the wide range from fusion
oriented high-temperature plasma physics to industrial applications of
low-temperature plasmas. Fusion related research is carried out in
co-operation with Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik in Garching and
Greifwald and with Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe. The work reaches from
fundamental investigations of plasma dynamical processes to plasma heating
with high-power microwaves. Investigations are carried out for the tokamak
 ASDEX Upgrade
at Garching, the stellarator
Wendelstein 7-X
at Greifswald and
the international
ITER
project.
The low temperature plasma technological activities of IPF are supported by
German government, the European Union, and industry.
They concentrate on the generation
of hard layers made of cubic boron nitride and on textile surface
modifications in dielectric barrier discharges at atmospheric pressure as
well as on the application of microwave powered plasma sources to barrier
layers, e.g., for photo-voltaic devices, for fuel cell membranes, and for
sterilised food packaging. The synergy between the know-how on microwave
technology and plasma physics fosters the development of innovative plasma
sources for specialised applications.
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