Research divisions at the psfc

MIT's Plasma Science and Fusion Center (PSFC) is known internationally as a leading university research center for the study of plasma and fusion science and technology with research activities in six separate but interrelated areas.

Alcator Project
MIT's fusion device, the Alcator C-Mod tokamak, is unique in its dedication to compact size and high performance. As a result, Alcator experiments have performed at levels rivaling the largest fusion experiments in the world. In particular, Alcator provides key information to optimize ITER performance.

Physics Research
The Physics Research Division develops fundamental experimental and theoretical understanding of magnetically confined and laboratory plasmas, including theoretical and computational support for the Alcator C-Mod tokamak and the Levitated Dipole Experiment. Additional research includes basic plasma research on magnetic reconnection on the Versatile Toroidal Facility, and advanced plasma diagnostic development for magnetic fusion plasmas.

High-Energy-Density Physics
The HEDP Division designs and implements experiments, and performs theoretical calculations, to study and explore the non-linear dynamics and properties of plasmas in inertial fusion and those under the extreme conditions of density (~1000 g/cc), pressure (~ 1000 gigabar), and field strength (~megagauss).

Waves & Beams
The Waves and Beams Division conducts research on novel sources of electromagnetic radiation, including gyrotrons, and on the generation and acceleration of particle beams. In addition, the division provides important support to the design of the ITER ECH transmission line system.

Technology & Engineering
The Technology and Engineering Division has broad experience in engineering research and development of magnet systems for use in PSFC projects, in national and international fusion projects, and in a wide variety of applications for government laboratories, industry, medical institutions, and others.

Francis Bitter Magnet Laboratory

FBML focus combines expertise and instrumentation in solution-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), solid-state NMR, Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR), Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (DNP), microwave technology, magnet design, probe and console design, synthesis of polarizing agents for DNP, and the development of biochemical labeling strategies. In essence our combined core and collaborative research effort covers essentially all aspects of magnetic resonance that are important for structural biology and many areas of magnetic resonance imaging.