PLASMA PHYSICS DEPARTMENT 1960-1995

The Plasma Physics Department at Sydney University was established in 1960 with the appointment of Professor Charles Watson-Munro as head. By 1980 it had grown to include nine full time academic staff, four technical staff and a secretary. Early work was concerned with the development of plasma diagnostics and the study of waves in plasmas, based on simple linear plasma devices known as SUPPER machines. A small tokamak known as TORTUS was constructed in 1981 to continue this work in higher temperature plasmas. At about the same time, Dr Ferg Brand began a very succesful program in developing a new microwave source known as a gyrotron.

Opening of the SUPPER 1 plasma machine in 1961. Frank Arens (technician), - , Don Millar, Max Brennan, Harry Messel, Bob Noble (Workshop), Admiral Showers (Executive Assistant to HM), Steve Chung (Professional Officer), Charles Watson-Munro, John Pigott, John Lehane, -, Emeric Peklo (Vacuum Engineer).

George Collins in 1980 with the SUPPER 4 plasma machine.

The TORTUS tokamak 1980-1995

For the record, here are some photos of the academic and technical staff of that era, and photos of some of the many PhD students who graduated from the Plasma Physics Department.

ACADEMIC STAFF

TECHNICAL STAFF

PhD STUDENTS (PHOTO GALLERY)

WHOLE PHYSICS DEPARTMENT IN 2002