Plasma Science

Plasma Science and Engineering transforms fundamental scientific research into powerful societal applications, from materials processing and healthcare to forecasting space weather. Plasma Science: Enabling Technology, Sustainability, Security and Exploration discusses the importance of plasma research, identifies important grand challenges for the next decade, and makes recommendations on funding and workforce.This publication will help federal agencies, policymakers, and academic leadership understand the importance of plasma research and make informed decisions about plasma science funding, workforce, and research directions.Table of ContentsFront MatterSummary1 Plasma Science: Enabling Technology, Sustainability, Security,and Exploration2 The Foundations of Plasma Science3 Laser-Plasma Interactions: Compact Particle Accelerators, NewOptics, and Brilliant X-Ray Sources4 Extreme States of Plasmas: High-Energy Density Systems5 Low-Temperature Plasmas: A Unique State of Matter for AddressingSocietal Needs6 Magnetic Confinement Fusion Energy: Bringing Stars to Earth7 The Cosmic Plasma FrontierAppendixesAppendix A: Statement of TaskAppendix B: Summary of Findings and RecommendationsAppendix C: Survey Data-Gathering EventsAppendix D: Committee Member Biographical InformationAppendix E: Acronyms