Hydrodynamics & X-Ray Physics Group

The mission of P-22 is to solve challenging experimental-physics problems relevant to our national security—aiming to reduce the threat of war by helping to ensure the reliability of our nuclear-weapons stockpile and by limiting the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Our experiments focus on the hydrodynamic properties of materials as they undergo explosive and implosive forces. Our x-ray capability is predominantly involved in the diagnosis of dynamic material behavior under extreme physical conditions—important for developing computational models.

To fulfill its mission, P-22 maintains and develops a creative multidisciplinary team, broad physics and engineering capabilities, and state-of-the-art technologies. Experimental efforts in P-22 include hydrodynamics, x-ray spectroscopy and imaging, plasma physics, radiation hydrodynamics, optics and fiber optics, microwaves, electromagnetics, atmospheric physics, and atomic physics. P-22 has expertise in analog and digital electronics; electro-optics instrument design and fabrication; high-voltage, low-inductance pulsed-power engineering; and fast-transient data recording. P-22 is also operations group for the Atlas High-Energy Pulsed-Power Facility. This high-energy experimental facility will provide a valuable laboratory test bed for the investigation of dynamic material properties.