Plasma, the fourth state of matter, makes up over 99% of the visible universe. However, plasmas have so far found few applications, the most notable of which include fluorescent lights, fusion energy, and space propulsion. Plasma researchers believe that the scarcity of plasma applications is due to the difficulty in controlling plasmas; therefore, obtaining a true control of high temperature, high density plasmas will likely spur on a plethora of new plasma applications. At the University of Washington, the ZaP Flow Z-Pinch Experiment is one of many research labs studying high desnity plasmas in order to both create and aid the development of plasma applications.
This presentation will include both a discussion of the problems confronting the development of plasma applications and an overview of the presenter's work in developing spectroscopy analysis--the analysis of light spectra emitted by impurity ions in the ZaP experiment to determine the characteristics of controlled plasmas--as a primary tool towards obtaining an understanding of plasmas that promotes innovation.