About group
At present, this fact is used for the production of X-ray pulses, and so the z-pinch is the most powerful (up to 500 000 GW) and most efficient (up to 20 %) laboratory source of x-rays. The principle of the z-pinch can also be used for efficient generation of energetic particles.
In addition to teaching at Bachelor's and Master's study at CTU (Physics 1, Physics 2, Astrophysics, Physics for Electricity) the group contributes to the teaching (Plasma Diagnostics) and the education of students in the doctoral study programme Physics of Plasmas (FEE CTU). A few items (Plasma Diagnostics, Magnetic Pinch and their use in thermonuclear fusion) we teach in the master's study at FNSPE CTU in Prague, majoring in Physics and technology of thermonuclear fusion.
The production of fusion neutrons and accelerated ions in the z-pinch system and laser-produced plasmas has been the subject of the group’s research for a period of more than 15 years. During this period of time international cooperation was established (US Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, Nevada Terawatt Facility in Nevada, Kurčatovův institute of atomic energy in Moscow, GSI Helmholtzzentrum fur Schwerionenforschung in Darmstadt, IPPLM in Warsaw, IHCE in Tomsk), various diagnostic tools and methods were developed, and a number of experiments were performed on the unique plasma device.
In 2013, the breakthrough results with new configurations of deuterium z-pinch were obtained when the active production of fusion neutrons and accelerated hydrogen ions up to 40 MeV was observed. The achieved energy ions exceeded the then current for maximum for the observed values by an estimated several times over. Although the mechanism for accelerating ions in z-pinches was the cause of the first production of fusion neutrons in research in controlled thermonuclear fusion sixty years ago, it is still not understoof and is the subject of extensive discussion. Due to the natural occurrence of z-pinch-related phenomenon in fusion plasmas, in ion emitting diodes, and in the universe (in the form of intergalactic jets) the study of the mechanism of particle acceleration in z-pinches can also contribute to a better understanding of the fundamental processes in the astrophysical and fusion plasmas.
Our Purpose
The above-described experimental results of research into the z-pinch related discharge and also the simple principle and structure of the z-pinch devices are the main motivation for their further studiy. Our experimental findings have wide applications of use in the following areas of research:
- research into thermonuclear fusion as a source of energy
- the development of efficient resource-producing nanosecond impulses of fast ions, electrons, neutrons and gamma radiation
- laboratory astrophysics
- the study of plasmas in strong magnetic fields
- EUV lithography
- experiments with high energy density
- verification of numerical codes simulating nuclear explosions (subcritical experiments)
- studies of the effects of nuclear weapons
- life testing of nuclear weapons
- the development of x-ray lasers, etc.
Included in this and one of the great strengths of our research is the possibility of the education and direct participation of students in the operating experiments thanks to an individual approach from the experienced members of the group, and to the diligence of students with passion for what they produce with their high quality work.
Our Funding
The largest amounts of our research funding come from the Ministry of Education of the Czech Republic, then the GA, Czech Technical University and the IAEA.
Specifically, the following projects:
- Ministry of Education InterExcellence, Inter-Transfer LTT17015: Research in the framework of the International center of a dense magnetized plasmas, the period 2018-2021.
- Ministry of Education InterExcellence, the Inter-Action LTAUSA17084: the Study of high-energy processes in plasmas produced by impulse source of the stream, the period 2017-2020.
- Standard project of the Czech science foundation no GA16-07036S: Mechanisms accelerate the ions in deuterium z-pinches, the period 2016-2018.
- Project OPVVV no CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/16_019/0000778: Centre of advanced applied natural sciences, the period from 2018 to 2023.
- Student grant CTU no SGS16/223/OHK3/3T/13: Electrical discharges: experimental research, modeling and application, a period of 2016-2018.
- The Program of the IAEA, RC 17088: Characterization of High Energy Deuteron Pulses Produced by Dense Magnetized Plasmas.
