Plasma Physics
Plasma physics at the University of Glasgow spans fundamental theory, numerical modelling, and applications across astrophysical, heliospheric, and laboratory environments. Our work addresses how charged particles, electromagnetic fields, and neutral media interact across a wide range of scales, from relativistic pair plasmas to low-temperature atmospheric and dusty plasmas.
Main research themes
- Fundamental plasma theory and simulation: fluid and kinetic plasma modelling, including wave-particle interactions, transport, and non-linear evolution.
- Low-temperature and atmospheric plasmas: ionization waves, electron avalanches, streamer formation, dielectric barrier discharges, and plasma-neutral coupling.
- Dusty plasmas and plasma chemistry: grain charging, growth, and morphology, plus plasma-driven chemistry and surface interactions in gas-plasma-particle systems. This is used to study lightning in the atmospheres of brown dwarfs and exoplanets, as well as the dust cloud evolution in sub-stellar atmospheres.
- Astrophysical and relativistic plasmas: pair plasmas, relativistic damping, and wave propagation relevant to pulsars magnetospheres and high-energy astrophysical environments.
- Solar and heliospheric plasma processes: plasma-wave physics, transport from the solar atmosphere into the heliosphere, and links to radio diagnostics and space-weather impacts.
- magnetized plasma dynamics: magnetic structure formation, plasma-neutral mixed-flow evolution, and magnetized flow instabilities in cosmic contexts.
Methods and approach
The group combines analytical theory, numerical simulation, and data-informed interpretation. Depending on project scope, this includes magnetized plasma modelling, wave and transport calculations, plasma chemistry frameworks, and comparisons with observations from solar and heliospheric instruments.
People and collaboration
To explore potential projects and collaborations, see our People pages and wider Opportunities.