High-Energy-Density Physics

Professor Drake works primarily in high-energy-density physics and its applications to astrophysics. High-energy-density physics studies the properties and behavior of matter and radiation at pressures of millions of atmospheres (or more) and temperatures above 10,000 degrees (or more). He is internationally recognized as a pioneer in this field. His work emphasizes the dynamic behavior of such systems, which also may be strongly radiative or magnetized. His team produces this kind of behavior in the laboratory, generally by driving a complex target with a high-energy laser. This lets the team directly examine processes that also occur in hot, dynamic astrophysical systems such as supernovae, supernova remnants, and cataclysmic variable stars. The processes they study are also relevant to Inertial Confinement Fusion, where some of his students continue their careers. Professor Drake is also known for work in laser-plasma interactions, and is a Fellow of the American Physical Society.

Introduction to High-Energy-Density Physics.- Descriptions of Fluids and Plasmas.- Properties of High-Energy-Density Plasmas.- Shocks and Rarefactions.- Hydrodynamic Instabilities.- Radiative Transfer.- Radiation Hydrodynamics.- Creating High-Energy-Density Conditions.- Inertial Confinement Fusion.- Experimental Astrophysics.- Relativistic High-Energy-Density Systems.- Appendix A: Constants, Acronyms, and Standard Variables.- Appendix B: Sample Mathematica Code.- Appendix C: List of the Homework Problems and Solutions to Selected Problems.