Plasma science has been a newly-developing area since 1950's. The research topics in plasma science cover widely from space sciences, astrophysics, fusion energy, and high-power millimeter microwave sources,...etc. In addition, plasma sciences can also be applied to industrial, medical, and military facilities development. At present there is no other domestic institution adopting plasma sciences as its primary goal. Also, there is only one institute focusing on space sciences, that is the Institute of Space Sciences in National Central University. For astrophysics, there are only a few academic institutes with complete graduate programs: Institute of Astrophysics in National Central University, National Taiwan University, and National Tsing-Hua University, respectively.
National Cheng Kung University has established Institute of Space, Astrophysical, and Plasma Sciences since August of 2008, and then renamed as Institute of Space and Plasma Sciences in August of 2013. Incorporated with the research momentum from Plasma and Space Science Center established from 2006, the institute has started to advance researches such as on experiments, theory, and simulation on various plasma phenomena. The institute also joins space science experiments for satellites and rocket missions, national astronomical observational projects, and international fusion energy research joint plan. At the same time we also promote research activities on high-energy astrophysics based on plasma sciences. By performing this strategic plan, the institute can produce excellent scholars in high-temperature plasma, space sciences, astrophysics, and fusion energy at both master and doctoral levels. The initial stage is to establish this institute to be an educational and research institute in space, astrophysics, and plasma sciences in Taiwan and ultimately advance to the top academic/research institute of the world in the future.
1. Research in Plasma Sciences
Future Development Perspective:
Our primary goals are to implement experiments and develop theories in high-temperature magnetized plasma sciences and their applications to research in fusion energy sciences.
Strategic Plan:
Based on built-on research in sciences of high-temperature magnetized plasma, we will continue developing various aspects including theories, numerical simulations, experiments, and detection techniques for magnetized plasma. These developments will be applied to perform research in fusion energy sciences to achieve top level in the world. International cooperation will be continuously promoted to join large projects on theories and experiments for plasma and fusion energy sciences. The ultimate goal is to advance our institute to be an internationally prestigious research/academic unit with capabilities of both theories and experiments in high-temperature magnetized plasma sciences.
2. Research in Space Sciences
Future Development Perspective:
We will perform top-standard research in solar-terrestrial physics and establish the capability to build payload instruments for implementing scientific missions for both satellites and rockets so as to develop distinguished experts in space sciences and techniques.
Strategic Plan:
Performing advanced research in space sciences, building space instruments, and implementing satellite and rocket missions are our strategic plans. We will establish long-term relationship of research cooperation with NSPO and international institutes in space science so as to promote satellites and rocket experimental collaborations. The ultimate goal is to advance our institute to be one of the top space science research/academic units in the world with capacities to develop theory, modeling, and simulation, to perform data analysis and design instruments for science and experimental missions of satellites and rockets.
3. Research in Astrophysical Sciences
Future Development Perspective:
To develop advanced instruments astrophysical measurements so as to enter the research field in high-energy astrophysics.
Strategic Plan:
We will enhance our capabilities in performing astrophysical research by actively joining national projects in astrophysics such as ALMA (Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array), Pan-STARRS (the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System), etc. We will also cooperate with NSPO and Academia Sinica to invent and build observational instruments for high-energy astrophysics so as to put our efforts on research in phenomena related to high-energy astrophysics.