MASAAKI YAMADA

 
 Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton University 
P.O. Box 451
Princeton, New Jersey 08543

(609) 243-2566
(609) 243-2418 (Fax)
myamada@pppl.gov


I am a principal research physicist at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPPL) (try here and here also), Princeton University. I am also a Co-Principal Investigator of a National Science Foundation (NSF) Physics Frontier Center , Center for Magnetic Self-Organization in Laboratory and Astrophysical Plasmas (CMSO).

Dr. Yamada, who is a Distinguished Laboratory Research Fellow at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, is the Head of the Magnetic Reconnection Experiment (MRX) research program. He graduated from University of Illinois with a Ph. D in Physics in 1973. In that same year he joined PPPL as a postdoctoral fellow. He became the head of the Q-1 research group in 1977 and carried out many basic plasma physics experiments. During 1978-1988, he headed the research effort on the spheromak, then a new concept for fusion, utilizing the S-1 device. Since the early 1990's, Dr. Yamada has pioneered a new experiment, the MRX at Princeton to explore the fundamental physics of magnetic reconnection. Magnetic reconnection is one of the most difficult and fundamental problems in plasma physics and it has been under intense theoretical discussion for many decades. In 1995 the experimental apparatus was constructed and the experiments have yielded many fundamental results, which led to the Excellence in Plasma Physics Award for 2002. Currently the MRX group is focusing their study on fast reconnection in collision free plasmas. Dr. Yamada's other specialized research fields are micro-turbulence, magnetic fluctuation in plasmas, ion acoustic wave, beam-plasma instability and spheromak stability. He has been the doctoral thesis advisor for a dozen graduate students of Princeton University, the University of Tokyo, and Purdue University. Dr. Yamada has held invited professor positions at Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, Switzerland (1988), Kyoto University, Japan (1989), and the University of Tokyo, Japan (1994). He has been an APS fellow since 1985.

Education
Ph.D., University of Illinois (USA), Department of Physics
M.S., University of Tokyo (Japan), Department of Nuclear Engineering
B.S., University of Tokyo (Japan), Department of Applied Physics

Over 150 research papers on experimental and theoretical plasma physics published in Phys. Rev. Letts., Phys. Fluids, Phys. Plasmas, Nucl. Fusion, and JGR

Major publications

On Magnetic Reconnection and MRX

  1. M. Yamada, R. Kulsrud, and H. Ji, "Magnetic Reconnection", Rev. Mod. Phys. 82, 603 (2010). (pdf)
  2. E. Zweibel and M. Yamada, "Magnetic Reconnection in Astrophysical and Laboratory Plasmas", Annu. Rev. Astron. Astrophys. 47, 291 (2009). (pdf)
  3. S. Dorfman, W. Daughton, V. Roytershteyn, H. Ji, Y. Ren, M. Yamada, "Two-dimensional fully kinetic simulations of driven magnetic reconnection with boundary conditions relevant to the Magnetic Reconnection Experiment", Physics of Plasmas 15, 102107 (2008). (pdf)
  4. Y. Ren, M. Yamada, H. Ji, S. Dorfman, S. Gerhardt, R. Kulsrud, "Experimental study of the Hall effect and electron diffusion region during magnetic reconnection in a laboratory plasma", Physics of Plasmas 15, 082113 (2008). (pdf)
  5. Y. Ren, M. Yamada, H, Ji, S. Gerhardt, R. Kulsrud, "Identification of the electron-diffusion region during magnetic reconnection in a laboratory plasma", Physical Review Letters 101, 085003 (2008). (pdf)
  6. H. Ji, Y. Ren, M. Yamada, S. Dorfman, W. Daughton, S. Gerhardt, "New insights into dissipation in the electron layer during magnetic reconnection", Geophysical Research Letters 35, L13106 (2008). (pdf)
  7. S. Gerhardt, E. Belova, M. Yamada, H. Ji, Y. Ren, B. McGeehan, M. Inomoto, "Field-reversed configuration formation scheme utilizing a spheromak and solenoid induction", Physics of Plasmas 15, 032503 (2008). (pdf)
  8. S. Gerhardt, E. Belova, M. Yamada, H. Ji, M. Inomoto, Y. Ren, B. McGeehan, "New method for inductively forming an oblate field reversed configuration from a spheromak". Nuclear Fusion 48, 032001 (2008). (pdf)
  9. S. Gerhardt, E. Belova, M. Yamada, H. Ji, M. Inomoto, C, Jacobson, R. Maqueda, B. McGeehan, Y. Ren, "Inductive sustainment of oblate field-reversed configurations with the assistance of magnetic diffusion, shaping, and finite-Larmor radius stabilization", Physics of Plasmas 15, 022503 (2008). (pdf)
  10. S. Gerhardt, E. Belova, M. Yamada, H. Ji, M. Inomoto, R. Ren, B. McGeehan, "Inductive Sustainment of a Field-Reversed Configuration Stabilized by Shaping, Magnetic Diffusion, and Finite-Larmor-Radius Effects", Physical Review Letters 99, 245003 (2007). (pdf)
  11. M. Yamada, H. Ji, S. Gerhardt, E. Belova, R. Davidson, D. Mikkelsen, "A Self-Organize Plasma with Induction, Reconnection, and Injection Techniques: the SPIRIT Concept for Field Reversed Configuration Research", Plasma Fusion Res. 2, 004 (2007). (pdf)
  12. A. Kuritsyn, H. Ji, S. Gerhardt, Y. Ren, M. Yamada, "Effects of global boundary and local collisionality on magnetic reconnection in a laboratory plasma", Geophysical Research Letters 34, L16106 (2007). (pdf)
  13. M. Yamada, "Progress in understanding magnetic reconnection in laboratory and space astrophysical plasmas", Physics of Plasmas 14, 058102 (2007). (pdf)
  14. S. Gerhardt, E. Belova, M. Inomoto, M. Yamada, H. Ji, Y. Ren, A. Kuritsyn, "Equilibrium and stability studies of oblate field-reversed configurations in the Magnetic Reconnection Experiment", Physics of Plasmas 13, 112508 (2006). (pdf)
  15. M. Inomoto, S. Gerhardt, M. Yamada, H. Ji, E. Belova, A. Kuritsyn, and Y. Ren, "Coupling between Global Geometry and the Local Hall Effect Leading to Reconnection-Layer Symmetry Breaking", Physical Review Letters 97, 135002 (2006). (pdf)
  16. M. Yamada, Y. Ren, H. Ji, J. Breslau, S. Gerhardt, R. Kulsrud, and A. Kuritsyn, "Experimental study of two-fluid effects on magnetic reconnection in a laboratory plasma with variable collisionality", Physics of Plasmas 13, 052119 (2006). (pdf)
  17. A. Kuritsyn, M. Yamada, S. Gerhardt, H. Ji, R. Kulsrud, and Y. Ren, "Measurements of the parallel and transverse Spitzer resistivities during collisional magnetic reconnection", Physics of Plasmas 13, 055703 (2006). (pdf)
  18. Y. Ren, M. Yamada, S. Gerhardt, H. Ji, R. Kulsrud, and A.Kuritsyn, "Experimental Verification of the Hall Effect during Magnetic Reconnection in a Laboratory Plasma", Phys. Rev. Lett. 95, 055003 (2005). (Abstract) (pdf file)
  19. R. Kulsrud, H. Ji, W. Fox, and M. Yamada, "An electromagnetic drift instability in the magnetic reconnection experiment and its importance for magnetic reconnection", Phys. Plasmas 12, 082301 (2005). (Abstract) (pdf file)
  20. H. Ji, R. Kulsrud, W. Fox, and M. Yamada, "An obliquely propagating electromagnetic drift instability in the lower hybrid frequency range", J. Geophys. Res. 110, A08212 (2005). (Abstract) (pdf file)
  21. H. Ji, S. Terry, M. Yamada, R. Kulsrud, A. Kuritsyn, and Y. Ren. "Electromagnetic Fluctuations during Fast Reconnection in a Laboratory Plasma", PPPL Report 3784 submitted to Physical Review Letters (2003). (pdf)
  22. F. Trintchouk, M. Yamada, H. Ji, R. M. Kulsrud, and T. A. Carter "Measurement of the transverse Spitzer resistivity during collisional magnetic reconnection", Phys. Plasmas 10, 319 (2003). (pdf)
  23. T. Carter, M. Yamada, H. Ji, R. Kulsrud, and F. Trintchouk "Experimental Study of Lower-Hybrid Drift Turbulence in a Reconnecting Current Sheet," Physics of Plasmas 9 3272 (2002) (pdf)
  24. T.A. Carter, H. Ji, F. Trintchouk, M. Yamada, and R.M Kulsrud, "Measurement of Lower-Hybrid Drift Turbulence in a Reconnecting Current Sheet," Physical Review Letters 88 015001-1 (2002) (pdf)
  25. H. Ji, T. Carter, S. Hsu, and M. Yamada, "Study of local reconnection physics in a laboratory plasma," Earth Planets Space 53, 539 (2001) (pdf)
  26. M. Yamada, "Review of the Recent Controlled Experiments for Study of Local Reconnection Physics," Earth Planets Space 53, 509 (2001) (abstract) (pdf)
  27. S. C. Hsu, T. A. Carter, G. Fiksel, H. Ji, R. M. Kulsrud, and M. Yamada, "Experimental study of ion heating and acceleration during magnetic reconnection," Physics of Plasmas 8, 1916 (2001) (pdf)
  28. M. Yamada, H. Ji, S. Hsu, T. Carter, R. Kulsrud, and F. Trintchouk, "Experimental investigation of the neutral sheet profile during magnetic reconnection," Physics of Plasmas 7, 1781 (2000) (pdf)
  29. S. C. Hsu, G. Fiksel, T. A. Carter, H. Ji, R. M. Kulsrud, and M. Yamada, "Local Measurement of Nonclassical Ion Heating during Magnetic Reconnection," Physical Review Letters 84, 3859 (2000) (pdf)
  30. M. Yamada, "Review of Controlled Laboratory Experiments on Physics of Magnetic Reconnection," Journal of Geophysical Research 104 14,529 (1999) (abstract) (pdf)
  31. H. Ji, M. Yamada, S. Hsu, R. Kulsrud, T.Carter, and S. Zaharia "Magnetic reconnection with Sweet-Parker characteristics in two-dimensional laboratory plasmas," Physics of Plasmas 6, 1743 (1999). (pdf)
  32. H. Ji, M. Yamada, S. Hsu, and R. Kulsrud, "Experimental Test of the Sweet-Parker Model of Magnetic Reconnection," Physical Review Letters 80, 3256 (1998) (pdf)
  33. M. Yamada, H. Ji, S. Hsu, T. Carter, R. Kulsrud, Y. Ono, and F. Perkins, "Identification of Y-Shaped and O-Shaped Diffusion Regions During Magnetic Reconnection in a Laboratory Plasma," Physical Review Letters 78, 3117 (1997) (pdf)
  34. M. Yamada, H. Ji, S. Hsu, T. Carter, R. Kulsrud, N. Bretz, F. Jobes, Y. Ono, and F. Perkins, "Study of driven magnetic reconnection in a laboratory plasma," Physics of Plasmas 4, 1936 (1997) (pdf)
  35. M. Yamada, H. Ji, T. A. Carter, S. C. Hsu, R. M. Kulsrud, N. L. Bretz, F. C. Jobes, Y. Ono, M. Katsurai, T. H. Watanabe, T. Sato, and T. Hayashi, ``Comparative Study of Compact Toroid Plasmas Formed by Induction and Reconnection,'' in Fusion Energy 1996: Proceedings of the Sixteenth International Conference on Fusion Energy (International Atomic Energy Association, Vienna, 1997), pp. 253-261.

On Ion-Beam-Driven and Current-Driven Instabilities

  1. Evolution of the Ion Acoustic Instability in a DC-Discharge Plasma
    M. Yamada and M. Raether
    Phys. Fluids 18, 361-368 (1975)
  2. Electrostatic Ion Cyclotron Instabilities Driven by Parallel Ion Beam Injection
    M. Yamada, S. Seiler, H.W. Hendel, and H. Ikezi
  3. Lower Hybrid Instability Driven by a Spiralling Ion Beam
    S. Seiler, M. Yamada, and H. Ikezi
    Phys. Rev. Letts. 37, 700-703 (1976)
  4. Cross-Field Current Driven Lower-Hybrid Instability and Stochastic Ion Heating
    M. Yamada and D. K. Owens
    Phys. Rev. Letts. 38, 1529-1532 (1977)
  5. Anomalous Slowing of a Perpendicularly-Injected Ion Beam in Both Quasilinear and Trapping Regimes
    M. Yamada and S. Seiler
    Phys. Rev. Letts. 39, 808-811 (1977)
  6. Current-Driven Instabilities and Resultant Anomalous Efffects in Isothermal Inhomogeneous plasmas
    M. Yamada and H.W. Hendel
    Phys. Fluids 21, 1555-1568 (1978)
  7. Ion-Beam-Driven Lower -Hybrid Instability and Resultant Anomalous Beam Slowing
    S. Seiler and M. Yamada
    Nucl. Fusion 19, 469-483 (1979)

On Spheromak

  1. Quasistatic Formation of the Spheromak Plasma Configuration
    M.Yamada, H.P.Furth W.Hsu, A.C.Janos et. al.
    Phys. Rev. Letts. 46, 188-191 (1981)
  2. Studies of Conceptual Spheromak Fusion Reactors
    M. Katsurai and M. Yamada
    Nucl. Fusion 22, 1407-1419 (1982)
  3. Experimental Investigation of the Spheromak Configuration
    M. Yamada, R.A. Ellis,Jr. H.P. Furth, R.A Hulse et. al.
    Proceedings of the Ninth International Conference on Plasma Physics and Controlled Nuclear Fusion Research, Baltimore, USA (Sept. 1982)
    International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria, Vol.2, 265-281 (1983)
  4. Initial Results From S-1 Spheromak
    M.Yamada, R.A. Ellis,Jr. H.P. Furth, G. H. Hart et. al.
    Proceedings of the Tenth International Conference on Plasma Physics and Controlled Nuclear Fusion Research, London, UK (1984)
    International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria, Vol.2, 535-544 (1985)
  5. S-1 Spheromak
    M.Yamada
    Nucl. Fusion 25, 1327-1330 (1985)
  6. Relaxation of Spheromak Plasmas Toward a Minimum-Energy State and Global Magnetic Fluctuations
    A.C. Janos, G.W. Hart, and M. Yamada
    Phys. Rev. Letts. 55, 2868-2871 (1985)
  7. Verification of Taylor (Minimum Energy ) State in the S-1 Spheromak
    G.W. Hart, A.C. Janos, D.D. Meyerhofer, and M. Yamada
    Phys. Fluids 29, 1994-1997 (1986)
  8. Investigation of Confinement Properties of Spheromaks
    M. Yamada, R.A.Ellis, Jr., A. Janos, et. al.
    Twelfth International Conference on Plasma Physics and Controlled Nuclear Fusion Research, Nice, France (Oct.1988)
    Proceedings of the Twelfth International Conference on Plasma Physics and Controlled Nuclear Fusion Research
    International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria (1989)
    Paper IAEA-CN-50/C-4-3
  9. Experimental Investigation of Magnetic Compression of a Spheromak Plasma
    M. Yamada, T.K. Chu, R.A. Ellis, Jr., A.C. Janos, et. al.
    Phys. Fluids B2, 3074-3080 (1990)
  10. Experimental Study on Relaxation Cycle of Decaying Spheromak in External Magnetic Field
    Y. Ono,  M. Yamada, A.C. Janos, and F.M. Levinton
    Phys. Fluids B3, 1452-1460 (1991)  

On TFTR/Tokamak

  1. Diagnostics For Documentation of Magnetic Reconnection in Sawtooth Crash on TFTR
    M.Yamada, Y. Nagayama, W. Davis, E. Fredrickson, A. Janos, and F. Levinton
    Rev. Sci. Instuments ( Nov. 1992)
  2. Q-Profile Measurements in the Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor
    F. M. Levinton, S. Batha, M. Yamada, and M.C. Zarnstorff
    Phys. Fluids B5, 2554 (1993)
  3. Investigation of Magnetic Reconnection During a Sawtooth Crash in a High-Temperature Tokamak Plasma
    M. Yamada, et al.
    Phys. Plasmas 1, 3269 (1994)
  4. Tomography of Full Sawtooth Crashes on the Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor,
    Y. Nagayama, M. Yamada, et. al.
    Phys. Plasmas 3 1647 (1996)
  5. ECE Image Reconstruction of Partial Sawtooth Crashes in Ohmic Plasmas
    Y. Nagayama, et al.
    Nucl. Fusion 36, 521 (1996)