Group Research Areas

Matter behaves very differently when heated to millions of degrees. At these temperatures it forms a plasma—a gas of charged particles that makes up more than 99% of the visible Universe. Plasmas are found everywhere from the Sun and distant galaxies to fusion experiments here on Earth, yet many of the physical processes that govern their behaviour remain poorly understood.

Our group recreates these extreme environments using some of the world's most powerful lasers. By generating plasmas in the laboratory, we can observe fundamental physics that also occurs in stars, supernovae, and fusion reactions. Because every experiment is performed under carefully controlled conditions, we can isolate individual physical processes and directly compare our measurements with advanced computer simulations.

Ultimately, our goal is to understand how plasmas transport energy, generate magnetic fields, and evolve under extreme conditions, providing new insight into both the Universe and the development of fusion energy.

Although fusion experiments and astronomical objects may seem completely different, they are often governed by the same underlying physics. The processes that shape a laser-produced plasma in the laboratory also influence the evolution of stellar explosions, planetary magnetic fields, and many other energetic environments throughout the Universe.

Our research bridges these disciplines by studying the fundamental physics common to both. We investigate how energy flows through plasmas, what happens when shock waves get launched into magnetised plasmas, how magnetic fields are generated, amplified and reconnect, and how small disturbances and instabilities can grow into large-scale structures. By understanding these universal processes, we contribute to the development of more efficient inertial fusion energy concepts while also helping explain observations of some of the most extreme objects in nature.

Plasmas evolve incredibly quickly—often changing over distances thinner than a human hair and in less than a billionth of a second. Capturing this behaviour requires innovative diagnostic techniques capable of taking "snapshots" of the plasma as it evolves.

Our research develops and applies advanced optical, x-ray, and particle-based diagnostics to measure properties such as temperature, density, flow velocity, and electromagnetic fields. By combining multiple diagnostics within a single experiment, we build a detailed picture of how plasmas evolve in space and time.

These measurements not only reveal new physics but also provide the data needed to test and improve the computer models used to predict plasma behaviour.

Scientific discovery depends not only on new ideas but also on the people who pursue them. Our group brings together students, postdoctoral researchers, and collaborators with skills various across physics, engineering, and computational disciplines to tackle challenging problems in plasma physics.

We believe that the best research combines experiment, theory, and simulation, learning from one another. Group members have opportunities to work at major international laser and pulsed power facilities, develop new experimental techniques, analyse complex datasets, and collaborate with researchers at universities and national laboratories around the world. Whether motivated by fusion energy, astrophysics, or simply curiosity about how plasmas behave, we aim to create an environment where a diverse group of people can develop as independent scientists while addressing some of the most exciting questions we think there are to be studying!