1. (exceptions made for incredibly-smart sophomores)
Design Physicist
Dr. Smith
September 26, 2017
Teacher’s warning: Intended only for consumption by 11th and 12th grade physics students.
(exceptions made for incredibly-smart sophomores)
© Andrew W. Smith
SHS Physics 2017

2. What Do They Do?
Study plasma, a very energetic (hot) state of matter composed of ions and electrons. Examples include stars, lighting, ion propulsion, fusion energy, nuclear explosions, etc.
Academia: SPPL, PPPL, others.
Government: Primarily National laboratories, NASA
Counter Nuclear Terrorism and Nuclear Stewardship
Private Industry: e.g., Space Systems Loral, Busek, HP Labs, others
© Andrew W. Smith
SHS Physics 2016

3. Point Design Implosion, 1
Strong shock launched by 1015 W/cm2 pulse.
Pulse adjusted so entire shell is ablated.
Peak burn occurs before shell stagnates
Expect lower RT mix sensitivity
Laser Requirements:
Shell Boundaries
Shock
Laser ‘shut-off’
R (cm)
Peak burn
146 kJ pulse
1.05 ns ‘square’ pulse with
100 ps rise and fall time.
139 TW peak power
Laser Pulse
Time (ns)
Weapons and Complex Integration

4. How DO I Become One?
Step 1: Go to college, referred to as ‘undergrad’. Study Engineering or Physics. Do very well (3.9+).
Step 2: Go to graduate school. Obtain Master’s Degree – in something relevant (plasma physics)
Oookaaay…
Sounds Easy
Why?!
Step 3: Go to graduate school….more. Maintain > 3.5 GPA to enter PhD program. Qualifying Exam. Research something unique and write/defend a dissertation. Obtain Doctorate (PhD).
Elapsed Time:
8 to 12 yrs
3.5 to 5 yrs
5 to 7 yrs
© Andrew W. Smith
SHS Physics 2016

5. WhAT IS IT Worth?
Can work with dynamic individuals and companies throughout the USA and world.
Forefront of scientific research.
With a PhD, in excess of $12,000 (per month)
May need security clearance up to Q (top secret)
Requires clean background, lack of drug use
© Andrew W. Smith
SHS Physics 2016

6. Outlook
Design Physicists fill a unique niche that global superpowers are unlikely to cut out of federal budgets due to severe consequences.
Expected to grow by 10% or more in the following decade – largely due to retirement of existing workforce.
© Andrew W. Smith
SHS Physics 2016

7. Where Would I work? Global opportunities: National Labs:
CA, NM, ID, UK
Fusion Research:
CA, MA, NJ, France
Space Propulsion:
CA, UK, Russia
Entrepreneur:
Anywhere
Teacher:
© Andrew W. Smith
SHS Physics 2016

8. WHAT Else CAN I DO?
PhD is more about ability to learn than specific skill set, so…
If studying stars, nebula, space propulsion, nuclear energy, and counter terrorism isn’t enough…
Teach! (College or High School)
Be a Certified Engineer - (e.g., own your own engineering business): Requires passing the EI and PE exams
Consult in legal cases ($)
Or, be an entrepreneur
© Andrew W. Smith
SHS Physics 2016

9. References
IMAGE:
IMAGE:
© Andrew W. Smith
SHS Physics 2016