Listed here are excerpts from recent reports from the plasma physics community regarding the formation of the MagNetUS organization.
Community Plan for Fusion Energy and Discovery Plasma Sciences (APS - DPP 2019-2020)
Executive Summary:
"Collaborate by developing networks of scientists and facilities to enable a broad range of frontier scientific research, and translate discoveries to advance other areas of science and engineering. Current networks, which include LaserNetUS, and collaborative low-temperature plasma research centers, should be expanded and new collaborative networks, such as ZNetUS and MagNetUSA, should be formed."
Programmatic recommendations:
Page 7:
"Provide upgrades for GPS facilities to leverage current FES investments in frontier-level science ...
... FES clearly recognizes the scientific advantages of capitalizing on existing investments by its recent establishment of LaserNetUS for HEDP research. This network affords access for researchers from around the country who would not normally have the chance to perform experiments at the network’s facilities. A similar network is recommended for FES’s GPS, magnetized plasma collaborative research facilities (see MagNetUSA.) This new network can also be a vehicle for ensuring long-term viability of these facilities and maximizing returns on FES’s investments by pushing cutting-edge operational parameter regimes; advancing the acquisition of broad diagnostic capabilities; and ultimately preserving frontier-level scientific output."
Page 11-12:
"Establish MagNetUSA as a mechanism for strengthening support for a wide range of experimental researchers and for increasing accessibility to DOE supported facilities ...
... Many GPS level plasma devices exist throughout the country at a wide range of accessible parameter regimes; however, the knowledge regarding the capabilities of each experiment remains fairly insular and access to running experiments on these devices is restricted for many single PIs, particularly early career faculty or researchers at locations outside of plasma physics research hubs. A coordinated network linking these FES-supported devices and their research personnel can expand access to a broader group of people, increasing user pools, improving diversity of experimental ideas, and potentially even fostering the growth of plasma faculty positions in the community. With the foundation of an established network, the ability to coordinate experimental exploration with theory and simulation can be improved. Moreover, training opportunities such as summer/winter schools for graduate students or user-training sessions for prospective PIs can be more easily established. A network can help maintain connections and communication among the researchers on these devices, with an aim toward more clearly seeing gaps in the parameter space so that upgrades to existing facilities can be proposed and implemented judiciously, efficiently, and fairly, in order to keep pace with advancing scientific needs. Similarly, gaps in the diagnostics capabilities can be identified. MagNetUSA can help establish new diagnostic frameworks that can be duplicated at multiple facilities or designed to travel to different sites within the network, promoting accessibility and reproducibility. Essential to the success of collaborative research facilities lies in the support for new and existing users. Creation and support of MagNetUSA would help remove funding barriers for the GPS user community to travel to network facilities, perform research there, and to analyze results at home institutions."
Powering the Future: Fusion and Plasmas (FESAC 2020)
Page 15:
"Networks: Collaborative networks of researchers and facilities can provide enormous value as a coordinating organization and mechanism for leveraging resources and capabilities. LaserNetUS is a successful model that brings together 10 unique midscale laser facilities and opens up opportunities to a large number of new users. In a similar vein, the establishment of a MagNet centered around basic magnetized plasma and laboratory space/astrophysics, a ZNet for pulsed-power science and technology, and an LTP-Net for low-temperature plasmas could similarly support growth and enable collaborative research in their respective areas. These networks can encourage cross-fertilization as researchers work on multiple facilities and will facilitate the training of students. Coordination and access to computational/theoretical models, diagnostics, and other resources in support of experiments can also be established. These network structures also position the US to be more competitive, because investments, technology development, and future planning can be implemented more strategically by engaging the full community."
Page 44:
"In the constant level of effort budget scenario ...
... FES should encourage community organization toward new networks in the areas of magnetized plasma laboratory research (MagNet), pulsed-power plasma research (ZNet), and low-temperature plasma science (LTPNet). Under a constant level of effort budget scenario, this activity will be limited to improving communications and sharing resources within the research community."
Page 46:
"In the modest growth scenario (2% above inflation) ...
... Small enhancements to the existing PST facilities and networks are pursued to extend their lifetimes and increase their availability. Even small investments in new network coordination (e.g., LTPNet and MagNet) will enable leadership in those areas."
Page 47:
"In the unconstrained, but prioritized, scenario, we have chosen to ...
... invest in high-impact facilities and programs to significantly advance plasma science while maintaining and extending US leadership in important areas."
Plasma Science: Enabling Technology, Sustainability, Security, and Exploration (NASEM 2021)
Page 392:
"Recommendation: Federal agencies, particularly DOE-FES and NSF-MPS, should implement a program for one-time, short-term funding for users of basic plasma science facilities."
"Recommendation: A community-wide workshop led by a partnership of DOE-FES and NSF-MPS should define the parameters and participation of such a program and network of user facilities."