The Plasma Astrophysics Group uses state-of-the-art supercomputer simulations to model astrophysical plasmas. We focus on understanding the radiative plasma physics of magnetar flares, neutron-star mergers, accretion flows around black holes, and enigmatic fast radio bursts.
The research is funded by the European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant project ILLUMINATOR. The project aims to unravel how neutron stars generate their observed electromagnetic radiation.
High-Energy Astrophysics
Accretion Flows
Accretion flows around black holes: energization of the disk corona & origin of state transitions.
Fast Radio Bursts
Micro-to-millisecond duration radio flashes of unknown cosmic origin.
Neutron-Star Mergers
Electromagnetic precursors signals from neutron-star mergers.
Magnetar Flares
Extremely luminous X- and g-ray flashes from super magnetized neutron stars.
Plasma Physics
Plasma Waves
Theoretical and numerical studies of waves in plasmas.
Turbulence
Turbulence in magnetically-dominated plasmas: particle-energization and acceleration.
Collisionless Shocks
Collisionless shock in magnetized plasmas: particle energization, synchrotron maser instability.
QED Processes
Quantum electrodynamic processes in magnetized plasmas.
High-performance computing
We also have a long track record in using high-performance computing solutions and building open-source simulation tools. As part of this effort, we are actively developing and maintaining the modern GPU/CPU-portable plasma code Runko.
Students
I am always happy to discuss possible student projects in high-energy astrophysics, plasma astrophysics, and high-performance computing.