Our activities are focused on fundamental problems in physics and chemistry of discharges and plasmas in gaseous and liquid matter environments. Determination of basic plasma parameters as of electric field, electron related parameters (electron distribution function, electron temperature, density) or of densities of important plasma species and their mutual interaction on extremely small spatial and temporal scales is studied experimentally using advanced spectroscopic and electrical methods. Experimental activities are supported by analytical models and computer simulations. Numerical modelling brings a deep insight into gas discharge physics and underlying plasma phenomena and, also provides a possibility of ‘numerical experiments’ in conditions that are either very hostile or even often out of reach for conventional experimental methods. Based on the profound expertise in the plasma physics the group cooperates with multiple international research institutions and partners from industry.
Research topics
- Aplication of spectroscopic and electrical methods on various plasmas using high-resolution high-sensitivity equipment: measurements and analysis of highly resolved line profiles, line intensity ratios, charge transfer and atomic/molecular spectra modelling for determination of basic plasma parameters.
- Advanced computer analysis of atomic and molecular spectra for equilibrium as well as non-equilibrium quantum states distributions. (Spectrum Analyzer, massiveOES, EBFFit)
- Laser-aided plasma diagnostics: quantitative imaging of selected species (laser-induced fluorescence or TA-LIF), gas dynamics imaging based on fluorescence decay, temperature maps in the gas phase from rotational structure or from Rayleigh scattering
- Collisional-radiative modelling of plasmas
- Fluid, hybrid and particle (PIC-MCC) models for streamer discharges
- Numerical modelling of electron acceleration (runaway electrons) in gasses
- Numerical models for plasma sources with magnetic field
- Simplification of chemical kinetic schemes based on sensitivity analysis methods