Plasma Physics at ITCR

Intro to Plasmas

About our Group

Our Objectives
Bring the benefits of plasma technology to Costa Rica
Teaching and Training in plasma physics and engineering, and industrial applications. Conduct world class research through collaborative projects. Develop world class research facilities at TEC Provide consultation services and advice on plasma technologies to Costa Rican industries Collaborate with industry to develop plasma techniques and applications.

Our activities
Teaching and Training Nuclear Fusion research with CIEMAT in Spain. SCR-1 Project Developing facilities for glow discharge research.

Our Future Activities

Develop Industrial Plasma Technologies for Costa Rican Industry at TEC
Plasma technology is complex and highly application-oriented field with a lot of scope for basic research.
In many cases the development in the field is driven by empiricism and progress through trial and error. Plasma technology is a cross-disciplinary field which requires knowledge in a wide variety of fields in physics, chemistry, and materials sciences.

TEC is well placed for industrial plasma applications, having a wide range of skills and knowledge in different fields of science and engineering, representing a huge opportunity for the development of plasma technologies.

Introduction: Examples of plasmas in technology

Application
electrical switches material treatment deposition surface modification

Plasma acts as
conductor heat source particle source particle source

Example
vacuum switches gas pressure switches welding, melting (steel production), cutting, .... Plasma sprays, puttering, thin film deposition treatment of textiles, treatment of polymers, hardening of metal surfaces

etching electrical gas cleaning plasma chemistry, thermal plasma chemistry, non-thermal

particle source particle source

dry etching of semiconductors electrical filters (dust filters in exhaust of power plants) Treating toxic waste synthesis of chemical compounds

Opportunities for ICE

Plasma Group currently has one full time researcher and one half time researcher. More staff to expand our activities and develop the capabilities for further industrial research. Develop world class computational facilities using a new GPU approach to plasma simulation.