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Nonequilibrium Radiative Plasma Theory (THR) Lab
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A theory lab that uses simulations to explain the extreme plasmas created by lasers.
AboutAbout the lab
Solving the physics of extreme matter on a computer.
The Nonequilibrium Radiative Plasma Theory (THR) Lab studies "high-energy-density states", in which matter is heated to extremely high temperatures in an instant by intense laser light, using theory and computer simulation.
A high-energy-density state is a dense, high-temperature state of matter, like the interiors of stars and planets.
At extremely high temperatures, matter turns into plasma, fast electrons and ions are generated, and nuclear fusion reactions and X-ray and gamma-ray radiation occur.
By understanding the physics taking place inside, the lab hopes to contribute to estimating the interiors of stars and to realizing laser fusion and high-energy particle accelerators.
Key terms
- high-energy-density state
- A dense, high-temperature state of matter, like the interiors of stars and planets. It can also be created in the laboratory by irradiating matter with intense laser light
- laser fusion
- A method that aims to cause nuclear fusion by compressing fuel material with high-power lasers into extremely dense plasma and heating it
- particle simulation
- A computational method for simulating experiments on a computer; in effect, a virtual experiment on a computer
- XFEL
- X-ray free-electron laser. An X-ray light source whose photon energy is 10,000 to 100,000 times higher than that of visible-light lasers
NewsLab news
View More ↗ResearchResearch themes
The lab seeks to clarify the formation processes and internal physics of plasmas in high-energy-density states using particle simulations. It also collaborates with experiments using large lasers to improve the accuracy of its theoretical models.
Theory and simulation of laser fusion
Using plasma particle simulations, the lab clarifies the process in which fuel material is compressed and heated by high-power lasers until it reaches fusion burn. It comprehensively covers laser light propagation, particle acceleration, and energy transport in dense plasma.
*Illustrative imageUltra-intense lasers and X-ray radiation
When an ultra-intense laser irradiates matter, the matter reaches extremely high temperatures within picoseconds, emitting high-energy particles and large amounts of X-rays. The lab simulates the behavior of such high-temperature plasma, including laser absorption, particle generation, and X-ray radiation, with particle simulations.
*Illustrative imageInteraction between X-ray lasers and matter
When an X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) irradiates matter, photoionization triggers various atomic processes and the matter turns into plasma. The lab builds numerical models of the physical processes of matter heating and seeks to understand the X-ray absorption process.
MembersFaculty
The members of the Nonequilibrium Radiative Plasma Theory (THR) Lab consist of faculty and doctoral and master's students.As of 2026
- ProfessorYasuhiko Sentoku
VoicesStudent voices
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Report an errorAbout the images
The top and research theme images are illustrative and were not taken at the lab. They are cropped from Wikimedia Commons images. Cropped CC BY-SA images are provided under the same CC BY-SA license as the original (version shown on each line).
- Top image: “High Power Laser Energy Research Facility drawing” Colin N. Danson et al. / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Ultra-intense lasers and X-ray radiation: “Plasma-lamp” Luc Viatour / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Interaction between X-ray lasers and matter: “European XFEL DESY Undulator” Dirtsc / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Open-System Plasma Theory (TOP) Lab): “Orion laser hall” Colin N. Danson et al. / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Physics Informatics (PIF) Lab): “Lampe plasma premiere generation - simulation solaire” Lumieresuisse / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Ultra-Intense Field Science (LF) Lab): “Plasma without and with magnetic field” Gerritse / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Plasma Photonics (PPD) Lab): “Orion target chamber” Colin N. Danson et al. / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
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