Paul M. Bellan
Professor of Applied Physics
B.Sc., University of Manitoba, 1970; M.A., Princeton University, 1972; Ph.D., 1976. Assistant Professor, Caltech, 1977-83; Associate Professor, 1983-89; Professor, 1990-.
Research Overview
Professor Bellan's research area is plasma physics with applications to fusion energy, solar physics, astrophysics, high altitude atmospheric phenomena, and the rings of Saturn. The research is mainly experimental but there is also substantial related theoretical effort. The research involves two major groups:(1) high power fast pulsed plasmas that simulate solar coronal loops, astrophysical jets, and have fusion applications and (2) water ice dusty plasmas relevant to noctilucent clouds and Saturn's rings.
Research Summary:
experimental and theoretical plasma physics
Publications
- Nicolov, André;Gudipati, Murthy S. et al. (2024) Phase and Morphology of Water-ice Grains Formed in a Cryogenic Laboratory PlasmaAstrophysical Journal
- Yoon, Young Dae;Bellan, Paul M. et al. (2023) Phase-space Analysis of Ordered and Disordered Nonthermal Ion Energization during Magnetic ReconnectionAstrophysical Journal
- Bellan, Paul M. (2023) Energetic electron tail production from binary encounters of discrete electrons and ions in a sub-Dreicer electric fieldPhysics of Plasmas
- Nicolov, André;Bellan, Paul M. (2023) Modeling the energetic tail of a dusty plasma's electron energy distribution and its effect on dust grain charge and behaviorPhysics of Plasmas
- Hirabayashi, M.;Hartzell, C. M. et al. (2023) Electrostatic dust remediation for future exploration of the MoonActa Astronautica
- Hartzell, Christine M.;Bellan, Paul et al. (2023) Payload concepts for investigations of electrostatic dust motion on the lunar surfaceActa Astronautica
- Zhang, Yang;Pree, Seth et al. (2023) Generation of laboratory nanoflares from multiple braided plasma loopsNature Astronomy
- Zhou, Yi;Bellan, Paul M. (2023) Two-stream instability with a growth rate insensitive to collisions in a dissipative plasma jetPhysics of Plasmas
- Zhou, Yi;Bellan, Paul M. (2023) Two-stream instability with a growth rate insensitive to collisions in a dissipative plasma jet
- Zhou, Yi;Pree, Seth et al. (2023) Imaging suprathermal x-rays from a laboratory plasma jet using PIN-diode-based and scintillator-based 1D pinhole/coded aperture camerasReview of Scientific Instruments
Related Courses
2022-23
APh 110 – Topics in Applied Physics
APh 156 abc – Plasma Physics