Extreme Plasmas in the Universe

SCEECS Summer School 2024

Extreme Plasmas in the Universe

Simons Collaboration on Extreme Electrodynamics of Compact Sources (SCEECS) Summer School

June 3-14, 2024

Hosted by Washington University in St. Louis

Remarkable astrophysical discoveries and exciting experimental opportunities are opening up new frontiers in extreme electrodynamics of black holes (BHs) and neutron stars (NSs). On one hand, multimessenger astronomy has transformed our understanding of the most extreme phenomena in nature, from fast radio bursts, merging binary NSs and BHs, to ultra high energy cosmic rays. Progress in plasma theory and simulation has made it possible for us to probe the first-principles processes behind these intriguing phenomena. On the other hand, we see a lot of exciting discoveries from observations of solar wind and space plasmas, and significant progress in fusion experiments. Laboratory high intensity laser facilities are also pushing towards the extreme regime of QED plasmas. An era of great advances lies ahead in the field of extreme plasmas.

To provide beginning researchers with the necessary theoretical foundations and numerical tools to study astrophysical plasmas and related fields, the Simons Collaboration on Extreme Electrodynamics of Compact Sources (SCEECS) is organizing a summer school on “Extreme Plasmas in the Universe,” to be held June 3-14, 2024, at Washington University in St. Louis.

SCEECS is a Simons Collaboration in Mathematics and Physical Sciences involving researchers from 15 institutions. Our goals are to explore extreme electrodynamics through neutron stars and black holes using theory, simulation, and observation, to educate and foster a new and diverse generation of researchers with translatable skills and experience, to connect with scientists working in related fields, and to provide far-reaching public outreach.

The two-week long summer school includes lectures on a diverse set of subjects related to plasma physics (basic fluid theory and kinetic theory of plasmas, observations of BHs and NSs, particle acceleration, BH accretion and jets, NS magnetospheres, cosmic rays, space plasmas, fusion plasmas, laser-plasma interaction, and so on). The summer school also highlights two tutorial series on numerical MHD and particle-in-cell simulations, and a tutorial session on outreach. There will be panel discussions on career development and poster sessions where students are encouraged to present their research.

The summer school is supported by the Simons Foundation, the McDonnell Center for the Space Sciences, and the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory.

Travel and Accommodations

For students participating in the summer school, on-campus lodging will be provided free of charge. We will also cover breakfasts and lunches on weekdays, and will organize a social dinner (date TBD). Located at the geographic hub of the United States, St. Louis is easily accessible.

Learn More

Confirmed Lecturers

Richard Anantua (University of Texas at San Antonio) 

Amitava Bhattacharjee (Princeton University, PPPL) 

Roger Blandford (Stanford University) 

Matt Caplan (Illinois State University) 

Damiano Caprioli (University of Chicago)

Steven Cowley (PPPL) 

Matthew Edwards (Stanford University)

Noémie Globus (University of California, Santa Cruz) 

Hayk Hakobyan (PPPL, Columbia University) 

Michael Nowak (Washington University in St. Louis)

Kyle Parfrey (PPPL) 

Alexander Philippov (University of Maryland) 

Lorenzo Sironi (Columbia University) 

Alexander Tchekhovskoy (Northwestern University) 

Jason TenBarge (Princeton University, PPPL) 

Elizabeth Tolman (Flatiron Institute)

Dmitri Uzdensky (University of Colorado, Boulder)

George Younes (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center & George Washington University)

Yajie Yuan (Washington University in St. Louis) 

Vladimir Zhdankin (University of Wisconsin, Madison)  

Application and Reference Letters

NOTE: Applications closed on March 15, 2024.

We encourage graduate students and beginning postdocs interested in plasma physics to apply to the summer school. To apply, please fill out the application form where you will be asked to provide your CV and a motivation statement. Please also arrange for a reference letter to be submitted following the same link. The application deadline was March 15, 2024.

Reference letter writers, please follow the application link and choose “letter” in the first section to upload the letter. 

Apply by March 15
Simulation of the magnetic field threading the black hole and confined by orbiting gas (adapted from Ripperda et al. 2022) | From SCEECS

Directions and Parking

All talks will be held in Crow Hall in the Department of Physics, located on the Danforth Campus of Washington University in St. Louis.

Address: 1 Brookings Dr, St. Louis, MO 63130

GET DIRECTIONS

CAMPUS MAP 

Parking Information: The most convenient parking lot is the East End Garage (find it on the Campus Map).  

 

Explore St. Louis

Tourist attractions within easy walking distance from the campus include the Science Center, the Missouri History Museum, the St. Louis Art Museum, and the St. Louis Zoo right across from campus in the beautiful Forest Park, as well as many dining options in the Delmar Loop. The famous Gateway Arch is 8 stations away on the Metro system.

 

Explore St. Louis

Local Organizing Committee

Yajie Yuan
Alexander Philippov
Roger Blandford