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Open-System Plasma Theory (TOP) Lab
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A lab that uses theory and simulation to explain high-energy-density plasmas.
AboutAbout the lab
Explaining the complex phenomena of high-energy-density plasmas.
The Open-System Plasma Theory (TOP) Lab studies the physics of "high-energy-density plasmas", states of matter with high density and temperature, using theory and simulation.
Plasma is a many-body system in which charged particles move collectively; it generates electromagnetic fields and produces phenomena not seen in neutral matter.
The lab builds numerical simulations and theoretical models for plasmas that can be created with large, high-intensity laser facilities.
The lab is located within the Institute of Laser Engineering at Osaka University, and is a cooperating research group of the Department of Physics, Graduate School of Science.
Key terms
- high-energy-density plasma
- Plasma with high density and temperature. Examples include fusion plasmas like the center of the Sun and relativistic plasmas
- plasma
- A many-body system in which charged particles move collectively. It moves while generating electromagnetic fields and produces phenomena not found in neutral matter
- nonequilibrium open system
- A system in which phenomena evolve while remaining far from thermal equilibrium
NewsLab news
A paper on an international collaborative study of an energy spectrum model for laser-driven ion acceleration was published
A paper on an experiment verifying an ion acceleration model using a large short-pulse laser was published
A doctoral student received the Student Outstanding Presentation Award of the Physical Society of Japan
A theory paper on the energy partition ratio in plasma expansion under laser irradiation was published
ResearchResearch themes
The lab broadly studies the interaction between intense laser light and plasma, and the high-energy-density plasmas created by it. Using theory and numerical simulation ranging from the particle picture to the fluid picture, it clarifies the physics of complex phenomena.
*Illustrative imageParticle acceleration in laser-produced plasmas
When an intense laser irradiates matter, it turns into plasma and the electrons inside are strongly accelerated. The plasma evolves as a nonequilibrium open system far from thermal equilibrium, and the lab investigates the physics of particle acceleration in cooperation with experimental research in Japan and abroad.
*Illustrative imageFormation processes of dense, high-temperature plasmas
The lab investigates the formation processes of dense, high-temperature plasmas created by irradiating matter with intense lasers. It aims to understand, through theory and simulation, the physics that connects the microscopic motion of charged particles to macroscopic plasma formation.
MembersFaculty
The members of the Open-System Plasma Theory (TOP) Lab consist of faculty and graduate students.As of 2026
- ProfessorNatsumi Iwata
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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: “Orion laser hall” Colin N. Danson et al. / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Particle acceleration in laser-produced plasmas: “Illustration Plasma Wakefield Acceleration” Rasmus Ischebeck at English Wikipedia / CC BY 2.5 (cropped)
- Formation processes of dense, high-temperature plasmas: “Induction Plasma Vapor Hg 003 Color” Vahram Mekhitarian / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Nonequilibrium Radiative Plasma Theory (THR) Lab): “High Power Laser Energy Research Facility drawing” 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 (Nuclear Photonics (NP) Lab): “VULCAN target chamber 2003” Colin N. Danson et al. / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Ultra-Intense Field Science (LF) Lab): “Plasma without and with magnetic field” Gerritse / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
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