Research Interests: 

Laser spectroscopy; plasma physics.

Research: 

• Experimental topics include experiments for plasma waves and instabilities, plasma self-organization and sheaths, and laser-induced fluorescence and wave-absorption diagnostics of plasmas
• Student projects are typically experimental with a significant interaction with theory
• Theoretical topics include plasma kinetic theory including waves and nonlinear fluctuations
• There are two labs at Iowa, including: a 3-meter linear magnetized-plasma device and a large multi-dipole discharge.  Both are equipped with single-frequency scanning lasers for high-resolution laser spectroscopy.  Some students also participate in collaborations on the Large Plasma Device located at UCLA
• Beyond interactions with group members, students participate in the plasma seminar and interact with Departmental theoretical and experimental plasma, space physics, and astronomy faculty
• Students develop skills including data analysis, high-resolution laser spectroscopy, designing and building apparatus, electronics, computation
• Previous assistants have found employment in academia, national laboratories, and in industry