Graduate School of Science and Engineering Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Plasma Physics Laboratory is being developing variety of plasma devices for dry processes. Glow and arc discharges create plasmas as environments suitable for producing new functional materials like carbon nano tubes and titanium oxide thin films. Plasmas also serve as sources of various ions with their energy precisely controlled to achieve specific reaction. Ions extracted from plasmas with very low energy can form films of quality better than other preparation procedures.

Our laboratory participates in various research programs related to magnetically confined thermo nuclear fusion plasmas. Negative ions of hydrogen (H-) easily lose an extra electron through collisions with photons and other particles even after they acquire kinetic energy necessary to heat up a nuclear fusion plasma. Study on H- density measurement in a magnetic multi-cusp device indicates a scenario for further enhancing the efficiency to produce, extract and focus the H- beam. The high-energy beam of hydrogen formed by electron detachment from H- delivers energy to a plasma confined in a strong magnetic field.

Deeper understanding of the fundamental plasma physics obtained from the laboratory's research helps to find the most effective way to realize a plasma for advanced applications. Many devices at Plasma Physics Laboratory create plasmas for one to learn plasma physics as well as plasma application technologies. Experience in producing plasma through many different methods together with prediction obtained by computer simulation software cuts down the cost and time to develop a complicated plasma device.

We participate in many joint research programs conducted with other research institutes. These include National Institute for Fusion Science, Japan Atomic Energy Research Agency, Advanced Institute for Science and Technology, J-PARC, RIKEN and many universities in Japan as well as abroad.