Plasma Science and Applications Award Recipients

IEEE NPSS and PSAC

Past Recipients of the
Plasma Science and Applications Award

2007 Yitzhak Maron, Weizmann Institute of Science

For pioneering the application of spectroscopic techniques to the detailed space and time characterization of electric and magnetic fields, charged-particle beams, and plasmas under extreme conditions of high-current, high-voltage, high-fields, and short-duration.

2006 Christopher Deeney, Sandia National Laboratories

For contributions to the advancement of Z-pinch physics understanding and applications.

2005 Neville Luhmann, Jr., University of California, Davis

For pioneering contributions to basic plasma science, and for the development of coherent microwave sources, including harmonic gyrotrons and gyro-TWTs, and of millimeter-wave imaging technologies, for plasma diagnostics and other applications.

2004 David A. Hammer, Cornell University

For fundamental contributions to the understanding of intense relativistic electron beam propagation, intense ion beam generation and propagation, innovative plasma diagnostic development for intense beam devices, x-ray source development using novel plasma pinches, and for his commitment to the mentoring of graduate students in the field of plasma science.

2003 Thomas A. Antonsen, Jr., University of Maryland

For his creative and seminal analyses of important problems in relativistic electronics, in the interaction of intense light pulses with plasmas, and in the heating and confinement of fusion plasmas.

2002 lgor Alexeff, University of Tennessee

For outstanding contributions to plasma science, including pioneering work on ion acoustic waves and on plasma sheath expansion, substantial impact on the development of high power microwave sources, dedicated mentorship and education of generations of students, and extraordinary professional service, including co-founding of the IEEE Nuclear and Plasma Sciences Society in 1972.

2001 Kwo Ray Chu, National Tsing Hua University of Taiwan

For seminal plasma physics investigations yielding fundamental insight into coherent radiation processes, thereby significantly advancing the state of gyro-oscillator and amplifier technology.

2000 Mark Kushner, University of Illinois

For pioneering contributions to industrial applied plasma physics through personal research, consultation, the education of students, and the establishment of a world-class industrial plasma research facility at the University of Illinois.

1999 Y.Y. Lau, University of Michigan

For pioneering contributions to the science of electron-beams and coherent radiation sources, including electron-beam instabilities and crossed-field flow, multipactor, gyro-amplifiers, and ion-noise in traveling wave tubes.

1998 Akira Hirose, University of Saskatchewan

For outstanding contributions to theoretical/experimental work on basic and fusion-related plasma science including studies of waves, turbulent heating, quasi-steady operation, and anomalous transport in tokamaks.

1997 Ronald M. Gilgenbach, University of Michigan

For his many contributions to plasma science, particularly those in the area of cyclotron resonance heating of plasmas, long-pulse high-power diodes, electron beam transport and stability, and innovative diagnostics of laser-ablated plasma plumes.

1996 Wallace M. Manheimer, Naval Research Laboratory

For pioneering contributions to relativistic microwave electronics and to basic plasma theory. In particular, for developing new concepts in coherent radiation generation, including the quasi-optical gyrotron, and of new techniques for analyzing gyrotrons, gyro-klystrons, and free electron lasers.

1995 Michael A. Lieberman. University of California, Berkeley

For contributions to the pioneering development of the fields of fusion plasmas, plasma processing, and nonlinear dynamics, through both research and teaching.

1994 Francis F. Chen, University of California, Los Angeles

For outstanding contributions to plasma science in the areas of magnetic fusion, inertial confinement fusion, plasma diagnostics, laser-plasma interactions, plasma processing, and basic plasma phenomena.

1993 Noah Hershkowitz, University of Wisconsin

For contributions to plasma science through numerous experimental investigations of a variety of basic plasma phenomena, including solitons, plasma sheaths, ion-acoustic waves, electrostatic double layers, and magnetic cusps. His pioneering research efforts have dramatically enhanced our understanding of the confinement, heating, and stabilization of tandem mirror plasmas, as well as fueling and impurity generation processes in small and medium-sized tokamaks.

1992 Paul F. Ottinger, Naval Research Laboratory

For outstanding contributions in two areas of plasma science: intense light-ion-beam transport, stability and focusing for inertial confinement fusion, and the theory of the plasma opening switch for application to pulsed-power generators.

1991 Victor L. Granatstein, University of Maryland

For outstanding contributions to three areas of research: microwave generation with intense relativistic electron beams, RF sources for electron resonance heating of fusion plasmas, and microwave device physics and technology.

1990 Leon Shohet, University of Wisconsin

For outstanding contributions to research and education in the field of plasma science and engineering including significant contributions to stellarator research.

1989 George Bekefi, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

For outstanding contributions to the understanding of electromagnetic radiation processes in electron beam devices and plasma.

1988 Charles K. Birdsall, University of California, Berkeley

For the development and application of many-particle computer simulations to instabilities, heating and transport of high-temperature plasmas.

2007	Yitzhak Maron, Weizmann Institute of Science
	For pioneering the application of spectroscopic techniques to the detailed space and time characterization of electric and magnetic fields, charged-particle beams, and plasmas under extreme conditions of high-current, high-voltage, high-fields, and short-duration.
2006	Christopher Deeney, Sandia National Laboratories
	For contributions to the advancement of Z-pinch physics understanding and applications.
2005	Neville Luhmann, Jr., University of California, Davis
	For pioneering contributions to basic plasma science, and for the development of coherent microwave sources, including harmonic gyrotrons and gyro-TWTs, and of millimeter-wave imaging technologies, for plasma diagnostics and other applications.
2004	David A. Hammer, Cornell University
	For fundamental contributions to the understanding of intense relativistic electron beam propagation, intense ion beam generation and propagation, innovative plasma diagnostic development for intense beam devices, x-ray source development using novel plasma pinches, and for his commitment to the mentoring of graduate students in the field of plasma science.
2003	Thomas A. Antonsen, Jr., University of Maryland
	For his creative and seminal analyses of important problems in relativistic electronics, in the interaction of intense light pulses with plasmas, and in the heating and confinement of fusion plasmas.
2002	lgor Alexeff, University of Tennessee
	For outstanding contributions to plasma science, including pioneering work on ion acoustic waves and on plasma sheath expansion, substantial impact on the development of high power microwave sources, dedicated mentorship and education of generations of students, and extraordinary professional service, including co-founding of the IEEE Nuclear and Plasma Sciences Society in 1972.
2001	Kwo Ray Chu, National Tsing Hua University of Taiwan
	For seminal plasma physics investigations yielding fundamental insight into coherent radiation processes, thereby significantly advancing the state of gyro-oscillator and amplifier technology.
2000	Mark Kushner, University of Illinois
	For pioneering contributions to industrial applied plasma physics through personal research, consultation, the education of students, and the establishment of a world-class industrial plasma research facility at the University of Illinois.
1999	Y.Y. Lau, University of Michigan
	For pioneering contributions to the science of electron-beams and coherent radiation sources, including electron-beam instabilities and crossed-field flow, multipactor, gyro-amplifiers, and ion-noise in traveling wave tubes.
1998	Akira Hirose, University of Saskatchewan
	For outstanding contributions to theoretical/experimental work on basic and fusion-related plasma science including studies of waves, turbulent heating, quasi-steady operation, and anomalous transport in tokamaks.
1997	Ronald M. Gilgenbach, University of Michigan
	For his many contributions to plasma science, particularly those in the area of cyclotron resonance heating of plasmas, long-pulse high-power diodes, electron beam transport and stability, and innovative diagnostics of laser-ablated plasma plumes.
1996	Wallace M. Manheimer, Naval Research Laboratory
	For pioneering contributions to relativistic microwave electronics and to basic plasma theory. In particular, for developing new concepts in coherent radiation generation, including the quasi-optical gyrotron, and of new techniques for analyzing gyrotrons, gyro-klystrons, and free electron lasers.
1995	Michael A. Lieberman. University of California, Berkeley
	For contributions to the pioneering development of the fields of fusion plasmas, plasma processing, and nonlinear dynamics, through both research and teaching.
1994	Francis F. Chen, University of California, Los Angeles
	For outstanding contributions to plasma science in the areas of magnetic fusion, inertial confinement fusion, plasma diagnostics, laser-plasma interactions, plasma processing, and basic plasma phenomena.
1993	Noah Hershkowitz, University of Wisconsin
	For contributions to plasma science through numerous experimental investigations of a variety of basic plasma phenomena, including solitons, plasma sheaths, ion-acoustic waves, electrostatic double layers, and magnetic cusps. His pioneering research efforts have dramatically enhanced our understanding of the confinement, heating, and stabilization of tandem mirror plasmas, as well as fueling and impurity generation processes in small and medium-sized tokamaks.
1992	Paul F. Ottinger, Naval Research Laboratory
	For outstanding contributions in two areas of plasma science: intense light-ion-beam transport, stability and focusing for inertial confinement fusion, and the theory of the plasma opening switch for application to pulsed-power generators.
1991	Victor L. Granatstein, University of Maryland
	For outstanding contributions to three areas of research: microwave generation with intense relativistic electron beams, RF sources for electron resonance heating of fusion plasmas, and microwave device physics and technology.
1990	Leon Shohet, University of Wisconsin
	For outstanding contributions to research and education in the field of plasma science and engineering including significant contributions to stellarator research.
1989	George Bekefi, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
	For outstanding contributions to the understanding of electromagnetic radiation processes in electron beam devices and plasma.
1988	Charles K. Birdsall, University of California, Berkeley
	For the development and application of many-particle computer simulations to instabilities, heating and transport of high-temperature plasmas.