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DOE OSTI · 2526328

2024 NSF CAREER Research Summary

Alex, Daniel [Univ. of Washington, Seattle, WA (United States)]
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Abstract

My current research goals have adjusted from a sole focus on Rayleigh-Taylor (RT) driven Biermann Battery magnetic field growth to RT-driven magnetic reconnection caused by distortion of an imposed magnetic field or self-generated fields. The majority of work from 2024 focused on single-fluid extended-MHD studies of Biermann battery magnetic field generation during the Rayleigh-Taylor instability and its impacts on turbulent growth. R-T driven magnetic field growth can produce notable effects during the deceleration-phase of ICF experiments, though theoretical analysis indicates the impacts will be inconsequential for astrophysical turbulence dominated by high strength external fields. This research pivot provides greater application to a wider range of conditions, which now include astrophysics along with ICF.

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70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICSPhysics - Plasma physics

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Alex, Daniel [Univ. of Washington, Seattle, WA (United States)]. 2025-03-03. 2024 NSF CAREER Research Summary. https://doi.org/10.2172/2526328

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