Proceedings of the Semiannual Meetings of the Plasma Science Committee

Abstract

Fall 2001: (September 29-30, 2001; Irvine, CA) This meeting focused on presentations and plans for two ad hoc projects sponsored by the committee?the burning plasma study and the partially ionized plasma proposals. Ongoing discussions with CHEDPP chair Ron Davidson were also included. Significant attention was given to FESAC and the Fusion Energy Snowmass meeting planned for Summer 2002. These discussions lead to continued development of the proposal for the burning plasma project. A science talk on plasma processing of materials from an industry perspective provided a backdrop for discussion of the partially ionized plasmas project. Spring 2002: (April 5-6, 2003; Washington, DC) This meeting included updates from the funding agencies (DOE, NSF, ONR, and NASA) and a discussion panel amongst them, a review of the burning plasma study proposal, and a discussion of the HED study?s progress. Future work items such as the plasma physics volume of the decadal physics survey and potential studies on computer modeling and simulation were also discussed. Fall 2002: (September 28-29, 2002; Irvine, CA) This meeting discussed the status of the then-recently started burning plasma study, heard the findings and recommendations of the HED study, and discussed the prospects for fusion in light of the Snowmass summer study and the FESAC sub-panel on burning plasma program options. A science talk addressed the role of plasmas in astrophysics and brought attention to the need for greater rapport between plasma physicists and NASA?s space sciences programs. The Plasma 2010 project was discussed in detail and a draft proposal was reviewed. Spring 2003: (April 4-5, 200; Washington, DC) This meeting centered on the activies of BPAC and discussion of the proposed Plasma 2010 project. Agency representatives discussed their program plans; they also commented on the possibilities of an ITER-future and discussed the status of the joint DOE/NSF funding program in basic plasma science. A presentation and a panel discussion addressed the loss of ONR funding in basic plasma science. The Plasma 2010 project was advanced to the stage of final proposal development. A science talk on inertial confinement fusion helped to balance the magnetic fusion emphasis of the meeting. Fall 2003: (September 27-28, 2003) At the fall 2003 meeting, the committee heard testimony from several speakers and further developed its plans for the Plasma 2010 project. Patric Muggli presented an overview of the goals and methods of the Coalition for Plasma Science. As co-chairs of the recently released final report of the Burning Plasma Assessment Committee, Ray Fonck and John Ahearne outlined their committee?s key findings and recommendations for the committee. Jeff Hopwood presented a science talk on the current state of research in plasma microdischarges. The committee then took up a discussion of the Plasma 2010 committee and deliberated about the focus of the project. The committee tasked a subcommittee to develop draft wording that would reflect the need to identify the common themes of plasma science in the study. On the second day of the meeting, Mike Roberts presented an update by videoconference about the status of U.S. negotiations to participate in ITER. The committee then evaluated several emerging issues for future discussion and agreed to pursue the topics of scientific computing and low-temperature plasma physics at its next meeting. Spring 2004: (April 2-3, 2004) The committee discussed the federal program for plasma physics with representatives from DOE, NNSA, NSF, and NASA. It was learned that the budgets for this year and the next are squeezed from all directions, but agency program managers are doing the best they can. There appear to be significant opportunities emerging in the area of computing, including simulation and modeling, as identified in a science talk delivered by Bill Dorland. Charles Baker shared a status report about his FESAC priorities subpanel and Ed Thomas presented a summary of his subpanel?s final report on plasma science and engineering workforce issues. Potential action items identified at this meeting include: following up with NASA/SEC to encourage participation in Plasma 2010, engaging the low temperature plasma and materials processing communities more effectively in committee activities, following up on the burning plasma program planning as it evolves, and brainstorming future activities of the committee ranging from workshops to letter reports to envisioning new studies.