Instituto de Plasmas e Fusão Nuclear (IPFN) (Institute for Plasmas and Nuclear Fusion) is a research unit of Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), Lisbon, and a leading Portuguese institution in physics research. IPFN has the status of Associate Laboratory in the thematic areas of controlled nuclear fusion, plasma technologies and intense lasers.
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IPFN was formally created in January 2008, as a result of the merging between the former research units Center for Nuclear Fusion and Center for Plasma Physics. As of 2010, more than 170 people work at IPFN, of which 80 have a doctorate degree.
Organization
IPFN is organized in eight research groups: Experimental Physics, Microwave Diagnostics, Theory and Modelling, Control and Data Acquisition, Lasers and Plasmas, Gas Discharges and Gaseous Electronics, Quantum Plasmas, and Fundamental Physics in Space. The activities in the frame of the Associate Laboratory are evaluated by an External Evaluation Committee. IPFN is also the research unit of the Contract of Association between EURATOM and IST, in force since 1990. These activities are coordinated by the Head of Research Unit and monitored by a Steering Committee.
Main research fields
IPFN activities are centered on the following competences: