Instituto de Plasmas e Fusão Nuclear (IPFN, Institute for Plasmas and Nuclear Fusion) is a research unit of Instituto Superior Técnico (IST) with the status of Associated Laboratory granted by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia.
IPFN ensures the Portuguese participation in EUROFusion, the European Consortium for the Development of Fusion Energy.
The role of the research unit at national and international level was recognized in the last FCT evaluation of R&D units, where IPFN was awarded the classification “Exceptional”.
The main activities of IPFN are centered on Research and Education:
Research is organized into two Thematic Areas: Controlled Nuclear Fusion and Intense Lasers and Plasmas Technology, divided into seven scientific groups in total. The research activities of the IPFN are monitored by an External Advisory Panel.
Education encompasses a broad range of activities, including coordination and participation in Doctoral Programs and Master Degrees, training of young researchers in advanced facilities, and outreach activities for pre-university students and teachers.
Our research program is carried out in the scope of seven groups, focused in specialized fields of study.
Nuclear Fusion: Engineering and Systems Integration, Materials Processing and Characterization, Experimental Physics, Theory and Modelling
Plasma Technologies and Lasers: Lasers and Plasmas, Gas Discharges and Gaseous Electronics, High Pressure Plasmas.
IPFN is based at the Alameda campus of IST in Lisbon. We operate several experimental facilities both at this campus and at the Loures campus.
ISTTOK Tokamak | L2I Laboratory for Intense Lasers | PEL Plasma Engineering Laboratory | MotLab Ultra-cold Atoms Laboratory for Ultra-cold Atoms and Quantum Plasmas | ESTHER European Shock Tube for High-Enthalpy Research | LATR Laboratory of Accelerators and Radiation Technologies
IPFN is one of the largest Portuguese research units in Physics. Our passion is Plasma Physics and Technology! I am very pleased to welcome you to IPFN webpage, we are very proud to share who we are and our achievements.
Bruno GonçalvesDirector - IPFN
During the Easter school holidays, IPFN organized a workshop where students from Gago Coutinho Secondary School, in Alverca do Ribatejo, met former students from the same school now working at IPFN. read more
The Council of the European Physical Society (EPS) elected Prof. Luis Oliveira e Silva to the category of EPS Fellow. read more
The IST Physics Week has just ended, and the visiting secondary school students had the opportunity to learn about cutting-edge research done by the researchers at IST. read more
Art and science meet at IPFN at another student visit read more
Bruno Gonçalves took office as president of IPFN following the formal nomination by the IST president Arlindo Oliveira. read more
