2025.6.29

Karaki-kun’s paper posted on arXiv.

Karaki-kun’s paper is now on arXiv and is being peer-reviewed by a journal. The study tests a way to improve plasma heating by shooting the kilojoule-class, short-pulse LFEX laser—boosted to a contrast of 10^{11}—onto a thin-foil target with a gold cone. Fast-electron energy spectra and resonant X-ray emission were measured with an electron spectrometer and an X-ray spectrometer, then analyzed in PrismSPECT using a two-component electron model.

2025.6.20

Leadership meeting of BLF collaboration institute

Leadership meeting of the Blue Laser Fusion Energy Research Institute at Osaka University, fostering collaboration on next-generation laser fusion research.

2025.6.6

Prof. Fujioka committed to JAFOE2025.

Prof. Fujioka organized the topical session “Resurgence in Fusion Science and Engineering” at the 2025 Japan-America Frontiers of Engineering (JAFOE) Symposium, held in San Diego from June 1st to 4th, 2025. The sessions facilitated a wide range of fruitful discussions among leading researchers from various engineering fields in both countries.
Details available at the website.

2025.4.25

Takizawa-san’s paper is published in PRR journal.

Takizawa-san’s paper has been published in Physical Review Research.

This study reports an improvement in plasma heating efficiency by relativistic electron beams (REBs) for fast ignition inertial fusion. By employing a high-contrast laser and a cone-attached target, REBs are more effectively collimated and directed into the compressed core. The high-contrast laser minimizes pre-plasma formation, enhancing beam transport. This configuration nearly doubles the plasma heating efficiency compared to conventional conditions. The results demonstrate a promising strategy to enhance energy coupling from laser to core plasma, contributing to the practical realization of fast ignition and the broader goal of achieving clean and sustainable fusion energy.

2025.4.11

Syahbana participated IFE-STAR conference

From April 7 to 11, I participated in the IFE STAR 2025 conference held in Breckenridge, Colorado. This international event focused on the advancement of inertial fusion energy (IFE), with numerous participants from renowned institutions such as LLNL, LANL, SLAC, and various private companies. The conference featured thematic morning plenary sessions that covered target physics, laser driver technologies, system engineering, and diagnostics. A major emphasis was placed on transitioning IFE from experimental success—such as ignition at NIF—to practical, high-repetition-rate for better energy production. Notable sessions included the latest updates on target manufacturing, beam delivery systems, and DOE-led discussions on future national strategies. Poster sessions at the end of the day also showcased innovations in plasma diagnostics, machine learning for implosion optimization, and materials for reactor components. The event offered valuable opportunities to learn, network, and gain a deeper understanding of the global roadmap toward commercial fusion energy.

2025.4.5

Participation in the joint ISEE workshops

Law participated in the joint ISEE workshops held at Kyoto University’s Uji Campus on March 26–27, 2024.

These workshops aimed to facilitate the sharing of cutting-edge knowledge and foster collaboration between laboratory plasma physics, including laser-produced and magnetically confined plasmas, and astrophysical plasma research, such as space plasmas and high-energy cosmic rays. Discussions particularly focused on various challenges related to particle acceleration phenomena like stochastic acceleration, as well as new methods for simulating and verifying cosmic-ray acceleration mechanisms in laboratory environments.

During the workshops, Law presented numerical simulation results regarding the generation of strong magnetic fields through laser-plasma interactions. Participants engaged in productive discussions about the challenges and possibilities that arise when actual phenomena are scaled down and examined through numerical simulations.

2025.4.5

Welcome BBQ at Hattori Ryokuchi

We had a BBQ at Hattori Ryokuchi Park to welcome the new students and enjoy the cherry blossoms!

2025.3.22

Law-san’s paper published in ApJ

Law-san’s paper “Plasma Instability Evolution and Particle Heating in the Foot Region of Perpendicular Shocks in Young Supernova Remnants” has been published in the Astrophysical Journal (ApJ).
These results reveal that the Buneman instability, followed by the ion two-stream instability, dominates the early electron-heating process in the Young Supernova Remnants condition.

2025.3.14

Farewell party for James-san

A wonderful celebration for our group! We gathered to bid farewell to James, an invaluable postdoc in our team for the past three years. At the same time, we celebrated the achievements of our students who earned their Master’s degrees this year. We wish James all the best in his future endeavors, and congratulations to our graduates for their well-deserved success!

2025.2.13

Master’s thesis presentations completed

Karaki-kun, Matsubara-kun, and Yamada-kun have completed their master’s thesis presentations successfully.