The Institute of Plasma Physics and Laser Microfusion (IPPLM) was founded on 1st January 1976. Since June 2001, it has carried out its activities under the authority of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Poland while the research program has been run under the surveillance and financing support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. The research carried out at the IPPLM mainly includes studies of plasma physics, scientific and technological efforts to investigate thermonuclear fusion in order to provide a safe energy for humankind and environment in future. The IPPLM has been authorized by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education to coordinate all the research on magnetic confinement fusion (MCF) in Poland. On the basis of the Contract of EURATOM-IPPLM Association signed with EURATOM Community (representing the European Commission), the Institute coordinates projects on development of thermonuclear fusion carried on by Polish science centers that concern plasma physics and technology for MCF toroidal thermonuclear devices (tokamaks and stellarators) within the framework of EURATOM Program.
The IPPLM contains two research divisions: Division of Laser Plasma (DLP), and Division of Magnetised Plasma (DMP). The main activities of the DLP include laser-produced plasma physics and its applications, inertial confinement fusion (ICF), laser-matter interaction physics at ultrahigh laser intensities and hydrodynamic processes accompanying interaction of laser with matter. The application of plasma diagnostics and laser techniques for thermonuclear technologies useful for MCF carried out within EURATOM projects is an important activity of the DLP. In particular, the DLP prepared two X-ray spectroscopy systems for Wendelstein W7-X currently under completion in Greifswald and also laser radiation is used for removal of codeposits from the in-vessel tokamak components. Studies on inertial fusion energy (IFE) and laser plasma are carried out as a part of European HiPER project, projects supported by LASERLAB-Europe Consortium and by EURATOM Community within IFE keep-in-touch activity. The Division of Magnetised Plasma develops diagnostic systems for MCF devices concerning neutron detection by activation technique and soft X-ray measurements, the analysis of possibilities of technological applications and development of these measurement techniques for MCF within EURATOM projects being the most important ones. Moreover, the DMP performs studies on the dense magnetized plasmas as a source of intense ionizing radiation including neutrons. The aim of these studies is to use Plasma Focus device in particular PF1000 system under operation in IPPLM to test detection techniques of intense ionizing radiation emitted from a fusion plasma. The DMP of IPPLM includes the International Centre for Dense Magnetised Plasmas (ICDMP) as a laboratory dedicated to science, education and technology transfer and the Lightning Tests Laboratory (LSWA), with accreditation of Polish Accreditation Center. The IPPLM annually organizes International Workshop and Summer School in Kudowa Zdrój. The School is dedicated to young scientists from different countries and it covers various aspects of plasma physics and fusion energy. Public Information has been fulfilled by numerous public related activities, among others the most significant project ‘Fusion at school and in society’ targeted at science teachers and their students in all types of schools in Poland, whose aim is to bridge the gap between high science and public education.
