Matthew Oxley

I am a PhD student on the fusion CDT programme at the University of York, having obtained my undergraduate and master’s degree in mathematical physics from the University of Edinburgh. My background is in fundamental physics, specifically the mathematical structures of renormalisation in quantum held theories. I decided to make the transition to fusion energy research as it poses interesting challenges from a fundamental physics perspective and holds promise of making a significant positive impact on our world by providing a bountiful source of clean energy.

One approach to achieving clean fusion energy is via inertial confinement fusion (ICF). ICF involves the use of a ‘driver’ to confine a plasma to achieve the required temperatures and pressures for fusion to occur. A major outstanding problem in ICF is understanding the heat transport at the interface between the driver and the fusion fuel. Typically, heat transport is modelled using fluid dynamical approaches, however such models are ‘local’, and break down when the mean free path of the particles becomes large. I am interested in understanding and exploring ‘non-local’ energy transport, as current methods to accommodate these effects are not well understood. I explore the coupling of non-local models, such as the Vlasov-Fokker-Planck (VFP) code ‘K2’, to integrated modelling codes, such as radiation hydrodynamic codes, and use these to simulate ablation and shock propagation.

This PhD project is partially funded by First Light Fusion (FLF), a privately funded UK company looking to develop the world’s first ICF energy power plant. FLF have developed a novel amplification system which allows them to achieve inertial fusion using projectiles, bypassing prevalent physics and engineering challenges typically associated with fusion energy. I am collaborating with them to apply my research in these novel ICF environments.

Supervisors

• Prof Christopher Ridgers
• Dr Andy Higginbotham