File: Plasmas. Flash X, the Polytechnic School Scientific Newsletter Nr 12, June 2010

This publication proposes overviews and presentations of research laboratories and of research activities in the field of plasmas, within the framework of the Ecole Polytechnique. A first article proposes an overview of the different kinds of plasmas (cold, hot), and of their main characteristics. In the case of cold plasmas, it more particularly presents the experimental and theoretical activities of the LPP (Laboratory of Plasma Physics). Various projects are presented: PEGASES which addresses space propulsion, air de-pollution, radio-frequency cold plasmas and their operating regimes. Projects undertaken in partnership with other organisations are also presented: solar photovoltaic thin layers such as photovoltaic cells and modules based on polymorph or micro-crystalline silicon, conductive transparent oxides and optic trapping architectures for photovoltaic cells and modules, cells and modules with hetero-junctions, hybrid photovoltaic cells, plasma sources. In the case of hot plasmas, different issues are addressed. Firstly, plasmas created by laser: presentation of researches on inertial fusion, presentation of the ILP or Institute for Lasers and Plasmas and of its activities, studies on ultra-short X ray or XUV sources produced by intense lasers (coherent XUV sources, incoherent emission of a plasma produced by a femtosecond laser), plasma channels created by filament propagation induced by femtosecond laser). Secondly, magnetic fusion lasers: tokamak, plasma theory. The last part of the publication addresses natural plasmas which are studied in different space missions (satellites, probes, instruments). In an interview, the manager of the Sun-Earth national programme defines this programme, indicates and comments studied issues, instruments which are used and being developed, available theoretical tools, practical applications. Observations of space plasmas performed by different research bodies are overviewed