The Scientists
MARK HENDERSON
ITER
Having grown up all over the United States, at age 14 Mark Henderson learned about nuclear fusion and decided he would dedicate his life to making it happen. He received a PhD in Physics that offered a ticket to work in Lausanne, Switzerland on the TCV tokamak. After 16 years, he headed to the south of France to work on the ITER tokamak in charge of the microwave system that heats the plasma. Mark’s dream job is either what he is doing now, or directing a science museum and passing on his passion for physics and fusion. When he is not doing physics stuff, he can usually be found outside, either playing in his garden, looking at all different types of birds (yeah, one of those “birders”), or just enjoying the nature around him.
Sibylle Günter
w7-x stellarator
Sibylle Günter was born on 20 April 1964 in Rostock. She took her degree in physics at the University of Rostock in 1987. Three years later she completed her PhD with a thesis on computational investigation of radiation from dense plasmas in the Department of Theoretical Physics, supervised by Prof. Röpke. From 1990 till 1996 she served as Scientific Assistant with the Chair of Theoretical Physics I. Her studies at the University of Rostock were extended by stays at the University of Maryland with Prof. H. R. Griem and as visiting scientist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) with Dr. W. Wiese. She qualified for lectureship in 1996 with a thesis entitled “Optical Properties of Dense Plasmas” at the University of Rostock, where she still gives lectures.
Since February of the same year she has been a member of staff at Max-Planck-Instiute for Plasma Physics. On the 1st of July 2000 she was appointed Head of the Tokamak Physics Division (till 2011). Since 2001 she is adjunct professor at Rostock University, since 2006 “Honorarprofessor” (part-time professor) at TU Munich. Since February 2011 she is the Scientific Director of the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics in Germany.
Eric Lerner
Focus Fusion
Eric Lerner, President and Chief Scientist, has been active in dense plasma focus (DPF) research for 30 years. Beginning in 1984, he developed a detailed quantitative theory of the functioning of DPF. Based on this theory, he proposed that the DPF could achieve high ion and electron energies at high densities, suitable for advanced fuel fusion and space propulsion. Under a series of contracts with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, he planned and participated in carrying out experiments that tested and confirmed this theory. In addition, he developed an original model of the role of the quantum magnetic field effect on DPF functioning, showing that this effect could have a large effect on increasing ion temperature and decreasing electron temperature, which would reduce unwanted X-ray cooling of the plasma.
Michel Laberge
Founder, General Fusion
Dr. Michel Laberge is a physicist with widespread practical experience in plasma physics and modern plasma diagnostic techniques. He has extensive knowledge of the latest technologies related to electronics, computers, materials, lithography, optics and fabrication, and is experienced at designing and constructing test apparatuses to evaluate technical concepts.
Prior to establishing General Fusion, Michel spent nine years at Creo Products in Vancouver as a senior physicist and principal engineer. His roles included inventor, designer, and scientific project leader on projects that resulted in more than $1 billion worth of product sales.