Master 2 Physics of Plasmas and Fusion

Year | Master Year 2 |
Program | Physics of Plasmas and Fusion |
ECTS Credits | 60 |
Language | French, some courses in English |
Orientation | Research |
Location | Campus de Palaiseau, Université Paris-Saclay (Orsay), Sorbonne Université (Jussieu), CentraleSupelec |
Course duration | 12 months, full time |
Course start | September |
Degree awarded | Master's degree |
WHY ENROLL IN THIS PROGRAM?
Asset n° 1
Integrate a generalist Master's program in plasma physics, which provides high-level training on astrophysical and space plasmas, process and industrial plasmas, as well as thermonuclear magnetic and inertial fusion plasmas and plasmas resulting from laser-matter interaction.
Asset n°2
Access to numerous research laboratories as well as to major international instruments such as the ITER Tokamaks, the Megajoule, Apollon, Petal lasers, or the most recent space missions (Solar Orbiter, Parker Solar Probe, MMS...).
Asset n°3
Thanks to the vast choice of themes proposed in all fields of plasma physics, build step by step and in full knowledge of the facts a well thought-out professional project (thesis or business opportunity).
Plasma physics is an interdisciplinary field of research. Leading laboratories in France and around the world conduct numerous research programs in the fields of thermonuclear magnetic and inertial fusion, laser-plasma interaction, astrophysics and process plasmas. Plasma physics also addresses societal issues of prime importance: it is at the origin of major innovations in the fields of energy, environment, space, health and defense, for example.
The objective of the Master's program is to train high-level scientists and engineers capable of investing in research on plasmas, whether natural or artificial, cold or hot, diluted or dense. The Master's degree, generalist in the field of plasma physics, offers a vast choice among many themes, thus allowing students to build step by step and in full knowledge of the facts their professional project (PhD thesis or research and development in the field of industry).
The teaching covers the physics of natural plasmas, process plasmas (including industrial plasmas), thermonuclear plasmas and plasmas resulting from laser-matter interaction. These are at the center of many applications such as satellite propulsion and navigation, space instrumentation and communications, atmospheric re-entry, materials engineering, environmental protection (treatment of gaseous and liquid effluents, reduction of CO2 emissions), bio-medicine and the development of therapeutic devices, agriculture and agronomy, microelectronics, acceleration of charged particles and new plasma gas pedals, radiation and energy sources, lasers, techniques for heating and confining plasmas, particularly in the context of thermonuclear magnetic or inertial fusion. Numerous very Large Facilities and Instruments are involved such as the ITER Tokamak in Cadarache, the Laser MegaJoule (LMJ) in Bordeaux, the Apollon and Petal Lasers, and international space missions such as Solar Orbiter, Parker Solar Probe and MMS (Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission).
The courses are approached in a theoretical and fundamental way, but also from the point of view of experimentation, numerical simulation and modeling. They allow students to acquire expertise in different multidisciplinary fields (plasma/health, plasma/environment, plasma/energy, plasma/space, etc.), but also to be introduced to the most current innovative technologies.
Objectives
This Master’s program enables students to:
- Follow lessons in physics of space and astrophysical plasmas, cold process plasmas (including industrial plasmas), thermonuclear magnetic and inertial fusion plasmas, laser-plasma interaction and its various applications.
- Work on theoretical approaches, numerical simulation and experimentation in national and international laboratories as well as with Large Instruments such as Tokamaks ITER and WEST, Mégajoule, Apollon, Petal, Laser X, pulsed machines, or large space missions such as Solar Orbiter, Parker Solar Probe, MMS…
- Take some specialized courses through the national framework of the Federation "Training in Fusion and Hot Plasma Sciences" and carry out projects and practical work on the above-mentioned major projects and international instruments.
- Pursue a career of excellence as a scientist or engineer working on national and international plasma research program
Partner Universities
The majority of the students of the Master 2 Physics of Plasmas and Fusion (about 90%) continue their curriculum by doing a PhD thesis. However, it is possible to be recruited in a large research and development company at the end of the Master's program.
Graduates can aspire to careers as researchers, teacher-researchers or engineers in fundamental or applied research in university laboratories, engineering schools, major public bodies such as CNRS, CEA, ONERA, CNES or companies with a strong R&D component (Alcatel, Air Liquide, Thalès, EDF, IBM, PSA, Renault, Saint-Gobain, EADS, Safran, Snecma....).
The courses are divided into two semesters. The first includes a common core and options, and the second includes more specialized options and an internship.
Core courses
Many of the handouts are available in English.
Outils pour les plasmas et la fusion |
20h 3 ECTS Français |
Magnétohydrodynamique |
30h 3 ECTS Français |
Théorie cinétique |
30h 3 ECTS Français |
Ondes et instabilités |
30h 3 ECTS Français |
Méthodes numériques et simulations |
30h 3 ECTS Français |
Instrumentation, diagnostics et analyse des plasmas |
30h 3 ECTS Français |
Physique atomique, moléculaire et rayonnement |
20h 3 ECTS Français |
Elective courses
Students must choose 4 elective courses from the 8 listed below. Many of the handouts are available in English.
Turbulence, transport, chauffage, et confinement |
30h 3 ECTS Français |
Physics and Diagnostics in Tokamaks |
30h 3 ECTS English |
Plasmas spatiaux |
20h 3 ECTS Français |
Plasmas Astrophysiques à haute densité d’énergie |
20h 3 ECTS Français |
Plasmas froids à basse pression |
20h 3 ECTS Français |
Plasmas froids à haute pression |
20h 3 ECTS Français |
Relativistic laser-plasma interaction
|
30h 3 ECTS English |
Laser-plasma Interaction/Fusion by inertial confinement |
30h 3 ECTS English |
Students must choose a theme consisting of 2 teaching units among the 4 themes listed below. Some of the handouts are available in English.
Thermonuclear magnetic fusion (on the Cadarache site near the ITER and WEST Tokamaks) |
50h 3 ECTS English |
Inertial thermonuclear fusion and laser-plasma interaction (at the Bordeaux site of the MEGAJOULE LASER) |
50h 3 ECTS English |
Plasmas Astrophysiques : Théorie et Simulations numériques (en Ile de France) |
50h 3 ECTS Français |
Plasmas de Procédés et applications à la santé, l’environnement, l’énergétique et l’espace (en Ile de France) |
50h 3 ECTS Français |
Students must complete a mandatory internship of at least 5 months, representing 24 ECTS, starting in mid-March. It can be carried out in France or abroad.
Admission requirements
Academic prerequisites
Completion of a first year of Master's in Physics and/or its applications at the Institut Polytechnique de Paris or equivalent in France or abroad.
Language prerequisites
- French
- English
How to apply
Applications can be submitted exclusively online. You will need to provide the following documents:
- Transcript
- Two academic references (added online directly by your referees)
- CV/resume
- Statement of purpose
You will receive an answer in your candidate space within 2 months of the closing date for the application session.
Droits de scolarité et bourses
- Etudiants de l'UE/EEE/Suisse : 243€
- Etudiants hors UE/EEE/Suisse : 3770€
- Les élèves ingénieurs inscrits dans l'une des cinq écoles membres de l'Institut Polytechnique de Paris (Ecole polytechnique, ENSTA Paris, ENSAE Paris, Télécom Paris et Télécom SudParis) : 159€
- Cas particuliers : veuillez vous référer à la section "Coût des études" de la FAQ
Plus d’informations sur les bourses
Candidatures et calendrier des admissions
Coordinators
Program Office
General enquiries
Plasma physics is an interdisciplinary field of research. Leading laboratories in France and around the world conduct numerous research programs in the fields of thermonuclear magnetic and inertial fusion, laser-plasma interaction, astrophysics and process plasmas. Plasma physics also addresses societal issues of prime importance: it is at the origin of major innovations in the fields of energy, environment, space, health and defense, for example.
The objective of the Master's program is to train high-level scientists and engineers capable of investing in research on plasmas, whether natural or artificial, cold or hot, diluted or dense. The Master's degree, generalist in the field of plasma physics, offers a vast choice among many themes, thus allowing students to build step by step and in full knowledge of the facts their professional project (PhD thesis or research and development in the field of industry).
The teaching covers the physics of natural plasmas, process plasmas (including industrial plasmas), thermonuclear plasmas and plasmas resulting from laser-matter interaction. These are at the center of many applications such as satellite propulsion and navigation, space instrumentation and communications, atmospheric re-entry, materials engineering, environmental protection (treatment of gaseous and liquid effluents, reduction of CO2 emissions), bio-medicine and the development of therapeutic devices, agriculture and agronomy, microelectronics, acceleration of charged particles and new plasma gas pedals, radiation and energy sources, lasers, techniques for heating and confining plasmas, particularly in the context of thermonuclear magnetic or inertial fusion. Numerous very Large Facilities and Instruments are involved such as the ITER Tokamak in Cadarache, the Laser MegaJoule (LMJ) in Bordeaux, the Apollon and Petal Lasers, and international space missions such as Solar Orbiter, Parker Solar Probe and MMS (Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission).
The courses are approached in a theoretical and fundamental way, but also from the point of view of experimentation, numerical simulation and modeling. They allow students to acquire expertise in different multidisciplinary fields (plasma/health, plasma/environment, plasma/energy, plasma/space, etc.), but also to be introduced to the most current innovative technologies.
Objectives
This Master’s program enables students to:
- Follow lessons in physics of space and astrophysical plasmas, cold process plasmas (including industrial plasmas), thermonuclear magnetic and inertial fusion plasmas, laser-plasma interaction and its various applications.
- Work on theoretical approaches, numerical simulation and experimentation in national and international laboratories as well as with Large Instruments such as Tokamaks ITER and WEST, Mégajoule, Apollon, Petal, Laser X, pulsed machines, or large space missions such as Solar Orbiter, Parker Solar Probe, MMS…
- Take some specialized courses through the national framework of the Federation "Training in Fusion and Hot Plasma Sciences" and carry out projects and practical work on the above-mentioned major projects and international instruments.
- Pursue a career of excellence as a scientist or engineer working on national and international plasma research program
Partner Universities
The majority of the students of the Master 2 Physics of Plasmas and Fusion (about 90%) continue their curriculum by doing a PhD thesis. However, it is possible to be recruited in a large research and development company at the end of the Master's program.
Graduates can aspire to careers as researchers, teacher-researchers or engineers in fundamental or applied research in university laboratories, engineering schools, major public bodies such as CNRS, CEA, ONERA, CNES or companies with a strong R&D component (Alcatel, Air Liquide, Thalès, EDF, IBM, PSA, Renault, Saint-Gobain, EADS, Safran, Snecma....).
The courses are divided into two semesters. The first includes a common core and options, and the second includes more specialized options and an internship.
Core courses
Many of the handouts are available in English.
Outils pour les plasmas et la fusion |
20h 3 ECTS Français |
Magnétohydrodynamique |
30h 3 ECTS Français |
Théorie cinétique |
30h 3 ECTS Français |
Ondes et instabilités |
30h 3 ECTS Français |
Méthodes numériques et simulations |
30h 3 ECTS Français |
Instrumentation, diagnostics et analyse des plasmas |
30h 3 ECTS Français |
Physique atomique, moléculaire et rayonnement |
20h 3 ECTS Français |
Elective courses
Students must choose 4 elective courses from the 8 listed below. Many of the handouts are available in English.
Turbulence, transport, chauffage, et confinement |
30h 3 ECTS Français |
Physics and Diagnostics in Tokamaks |
30h 3 ECTS English |
Plasmas spatiaux |
20h 3 ECTS Français |
Plasmas Astrophysiques à haute densité d’énergie |
20h 3 ECTS Français |
Plasmas froids à basse pression |
20h 3 ECTS Français |
Plasmas froids à haute pression |
20h 3 ECTS Français |
Relativistic laser-plasma interaction
|
30h 3 ECTS English |
Laser-plasma Interaction/Fusion by inertial confinement |
30h 3 ECTS English |
Students must choose a theme consisting of 2 teaching units among the 4 themes listed below. Some of the handouts are available in English.
Thermonuclear magnetic fusion (on the Cadarache site near the ITER and WEST Tokamaks) |
50h 3 ECTS English |
Inertial thermonuclear fusion and laser-plasma interaction (at the Bordeaux site of the MEGAJOULE LASER) |
50h 3 ECTS English |
Plasmas Astrophysiques : Théorie et Simulations numériques (en Ile de France) |
50h 3 ECTS Français |
Plasmas de Procédés et applications à la santé, l’environnement, l’énergétique et l’espace (en Ile de France) |
50h 3 ECTS Français |
Students must complete a mandatory internship of at least 5 months, representing 24 ECTS, starting in mid-March. It can be carried out in France or abroad.
Admission requirements
Academic prerequisites
Completion of a first year of Master's in Physics and/or its applications at the Institut Polytechnique de Paris or equivalent in France or abroad.
Language prerequisites
- French
- English
How to apply
Applications can be submitted exclusively online. You will need to provide the following documents:
- Transcript
- Two academic references (added online directly by your referees)
- CV/resume
- Statement of purpose
You will receive an answer in your candidate space within 2 months of the closing date for the application session.
Droits de scolarité et bourses
- Etudiants de l'UE/EEE/Suisse : 243€
- Etudiants hors UE/EEE/Suisse : 3770€
- Les élèves ingénieurs inscrits dans l'une des cinq écoles membres de l'Institut Polytechnique de Paris (Ecole polytechnique, ENSTA Paris, ENSAE Paris, Télécom Paris et Télécom SudParis) : 159€
- Cas particuliers : veuillez vous référer à la section "Coût des études" de la FAQ
Plus d’informations sur les bourses