Plasma Research

Plasma research at Texas Tech University started in 1966. The initial work was concerned with harmonic ion cyclotron resonances in small mirror machines, laser heating of magnetized plasmas, and pellet injection in hot dense plasmas. In 1977 a small Tokamak was constructed and used for various wave propagation studies in the ion cyclotron range of frequencies. In the last few years the emphasis has been on theoretical wave propagation and turbulence studies along with applications of plasma technology to pulsed power devices, plasma synthesis of thin films, high power microwave generation, and electric space propulsion engines.

Pulsed Power Research

Pulsed power research at Texas Tech University began in the early 70's with studies in high beta controlled thermonuclear fusion. These initial investigations at Texas Tech, along with other developments in the field, established the need for a better understanding of the physical phenomena of pulsed power technology. High power switching, materials studies, and high power microwaves are particularly high priority research areas and have, today, become the main emphasis of the Texas Tech University Pulsed Power Research Program. The program is heavily interdisciplinary and involves faculty members from EE, ME, Physics and Chemistry.

Power Electronics Research

Power electronics research at Texas Tech University is focused on several areas, including: the usage of very large power IGBT's for intermittent and steady state operation, the use of Ultra High Power SCR's for Pulsed Power Applications, research into advanced electrical and thermal packaging, robust controls to supply nonlinear loads such as plasma arcs, and high bandwidth monitoring and control of electric machines. The program is also involved in the development of a power electronics curriculum at the national level in collaboration with the University of Minnesota.

Laboratories and Support Facilities

A new EE research building, largely devoted to pulsed power related research, was completed in 1980. Since then, the Center for Pulsed Power and Power Electronics Laboratory occupied a total floor area of over 8,200 square feet. More recently, 2,000 square feet of laboratory space is used for explosive pulsed power research in the off-campus research building. A new building annex (1998) added 5,150 square feet of high quality on-campus research space to the old building. The current total research area is approximately 15,350 square feet.

A sample of some of the supporting equipment include diverse HV sources (dc and pulsed), fast oscilloscopes and digitizers, advanced elecromagnetic field solvers and circuit analysis codes, high speed cameras (picosecond to nanosecond temporal resolution), optical emission spectrometers, and numerous vacuum systems ranging from a few up to 800 cubic feet in enclosed vacuum space.