INTRODUCTION

The lab was established in 1980 as “Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPL)” of the Department of Energy Science and Engineering [formerly Centre for Energy Studies] and the Department of Physics at IIT Delhi. The lab evolved to become one of first experimental plasma laboratories to be setup in an educational institution.

The initial focus of the lab was on high power microwave plasma interaction in conducting waveguides for an understanding of the physics of plasma loaded waveguides (for use in plasma applications). Subsequently similar studies were conducted on helicon waves as well. Over time, the focus of the lab shifted to the development of ECR-based novel plasma sources for a wide range of applications for industry and scientific use. With the induction of several young faculties to the lab over the past decade, the lab has expanded its scope of research, and today it includes areas like development of ECR-based plasma thruster, large area ECR-based hydrogen beam source, high pressure ECR plasma source, rf plasma diagnostics, atmospheric plasma jets and their applications.

With the expansion of the lab’s activities, the laboratory is now spread over three separate labs: “Plasma Physics Laboratory”, “ELNIBS Laboratory” and “Plasma Applications Laboratory” under common the banner “Plasma Lab”.