- #1
torquemada
- 110
- 0
is nuclear physics or plasma physics a better grad concentration for current/future fusion research? thx
mdxyz said:Fusion research for a physicist is plasma physics. There may be engineering roles also, mostly to do with materials for walls, divertors, magnets, and so forth.
'Nuclear engineering' is mostly fission-based and the problems don't have a great deal of overlap.
mdxyz said:Not really. Also the industrial plasmas are very different to high temperature, completely ionised fusion plasmas. On the other hand you can learn incidental skills like programming.
I wouldn't say getting a PhD in fusion theory is likely to be a top employment move. If you want to spend most of your career working in fission you should get a degree relevant to that.
clope023 said:Mostly but not all; MIT, georgia tech, uw-madison, and several other NE programs do fusion plasma research.
mdxyz said:In theory? I'm willing to be proven wrong, but if they do do fusion theory and practical fission work in the same program I very much doubt it will be the same people doing it.
There just isn't a great deal of overlap. Fusion theory is almost entirely about how to hold the plasma in a magnetic bottle; the 'nuclear' bit and details of QM surrounding the reaction itself are basically irrelevant.
EulersFormula said:If you go into physics, you will experience job security, provided that you (1) publish a lot and (2) are capable of winning grant money. Also, you must be capable of giving compelling talks because this will build up your reputation (and hence, job security).
However, if you went to Wisconsin and did PhD thesis research on a Tokamak, and you decided to try something different, then I don't think it would be a huge stretch to convince another lab that you're qualified to research, say the chemistry of plasma polymerization.
mdxyz said:In theory? I'm willing to be proven wrong, but if they do do fusion theory and practical fission work in the same program I very much doubt it will be the same people doing it.
There just isn't a great deal of overlap. Fusion theory is almost entirely about how to hold the plasma in a magnetic bottle; the 'nuclear' bit and details of QM surrounding the reaction itself are basically irrelevant.
There is some overlap in experiment in areas to do with neutron embrittlement and the like.
pinkfishegg - My advice is that if career/money-maximisation is your goal to be an engineer rather than a physicist.
torquemada said:thanks clope. i was also wondering - does focusing on fusion research in grad school shoehorn you into academia only, since it's only in the R&D phase at the moment? Or do grad students in NE that specialize in fusion take enough fission coursework to be marketable in govt/industry with respect to fission positions? thanks
Fusion research is a branch of science that studies the process of nuclear fusion, where two atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus. This process releases a large amount of energy and is the same process that powers the sun and other stars.
Grad school provides the necessary education and training for individuals to conduct research in the field of fusion. It also allows for hands-on experience and exposure to the latest advancements in the field.
Some common specializations for fusion research in grad school include plasma physics, materials science, nuclear engineering, and computational modeling. Each specialization offers a unique perspective and skillset for studying fusion.
When choosing a grad school for fusion research, it is important to consider factors such as the school's research facilities, faculty expertise, and available funding opportunities. It may also be helpful to speak with current students or alumni to get a better understanding of the program.
While many universities have fusion research programs, not all grad schools offer this specialization. It is important to research and select a program that specifically focuses on fusion research in order to receive the necessary education and experience in this field.