Skip to main content
Chris Hegna

Chris Hegna

Harvey D. Spangler Professor

Professor Hegna’s primary field is theoretical plasma physics with an emphasis on the area of plasma confinement using magnetic fields. These studies employ analytic and computational techniques to study plasma dynamics and are closely coupled with experimental observations. The ultimate goal of the magnetic confinement community is to develop magnetic fusion as a commercial source of electricity.

Hegna’s current research includes the areas of magnetohydrodynamic equilibrium and stability, transport properties of plasmas, and general magnetic confinement theory. In particular, he is interested in developing theoretical models to understand the role of macroscopic instabilities in high temperature plasmas; nonideal and nonlinear magnetohydrodynamic instabilities; kinetic theory modifications to fluid-like descriptions of plasmas; plasma dynamics in non-symmetric magnetic confinement systems; the role of magnetic geometry, symmetry and topology on plasma instabilities, turbulence and transport properties; self-organization properties of plasmas; anomalous current and momentum transport; magnetic reconnection in laboratory and astrophysical plasmas; and dynamo processes in plasmas.

Hegna is the director of the Center for Plasma Theory and Computation and is involved in the research activities of the University’s three magnetic confinement experiments, the Pegasus Toroidal Experiment, the HSX Plasma Laboratory and the Madison Symmetric Torus (MST). Additionally, he is heavily involved in the U. S. fusion science program by serving on a number of workshop and conference organization committees, review panels and program advisory committees.

Department

Nuclear Engineering & Engineering Physics

Contact

521, Engineering Research Building
1500 Engineering Dr
Madison, WI

  • PhD 1989, Columbia University
  • MS 1987, Columbia University
  • BS 1986, University of Wisconsin-Madison

  • theoretical plasma physics
  • fusion science
  • magnetic confinement of plasmas
  • magnetohydrodynamics

  • 2016 University of Wisconson-Madison, Harvey D. Spangler Professorship
  • 2014 John Dawson Award for Excellence in Plasma Physics Research

  • E M A 548 - Engineering Analysis II (Spring 2025)
  • E P 548 - Engineering Analysis II (Spring 2025)
  • N E 890 - Pre-Dissertator's Research (Spring 2025)
  • PHYSICS 990 - Research (Spring 2025)
  • E C E 726 - Plasma Magnetohydrodynamics (Fall 2024)
  • N E 726 - Plasma Magnetohydrodynamics (Fall 2024)
  • N E 890 - Pre-Dissertator's Research (Fall 2024)
  • PHYSICS 726 - Plasma Magnetohydrodynamics (Fall 2024)
  • PHYSICS 990 - Research (Fall 2024)
  • N E 890 - Pre-Dissertator's Research (Summer 2024)
  • N E 990 - Research and Thesis (Summer 2024)
  • PHYSICS 990 - Research (Summer 2024)
  • N E 890 - Pre-Dissertator's Research (Spring 2024)
  • PHYSICS 990 - Research (Spring 2024)
  • N E 890 - Pre-Dissertator's Research (Fall 2023)
  • N E 990 - Research and Thesis (Fall 2023)
  • PHYSICS 990 - Research (Fall 2023)
  • N E 890 - Pre-Dissertator's Research (Summer 2023)
  • N E 990 - Research and Thesis (Summer 2023)
  • PHYSICS 990 - Research (Summer 2023)