Summary
- Research Assistant Professor, University of Nevada, Reno — 2024–Present Experimental plasma physicist conducting research in high-energy-density plasma physics and pulsed-power systems, with current work spanning Dense Plasma Focus neutron sources, Z-pinch experiments, and radiation diagnostics.
- Researcher, University of Nevada, Reno — 2023–2024 Conducted experimental research on the Sparky III Dense Plasma Focus and UNR ZEBRA pulsed-power generator, including development and operation of x-ray, neutron, optical, and electrical diagnostics.
- Physicist/Electrical Engineer, L3Harris (now Fisica) — 2022–2023 Worked on the operation, maintenance, and development of large-scale pulsed-power radiation sources and associated x-ray diagnostics.
- Graduate Research Assistant, University of Nevada, Reno — 2016–2021; 2022 Conducted experimental research in pulsed-power and laser-driven high-energy-density plasmas, with an emphasis on x-ray production, plasma dynamics, and radiation diagnostics.
Current projects
- ZEBRA Diagnostic Development: Upgrading and expanding the diagnostic capabilities of the UNR ZEBRA pulsed-power generator to enable improved characterization of high-energy-density plasma and radiation sources.
- 1 MA Dense Plasma Focus Neutron Source: Developing a 1 MA Dense Plasma Focus system for neutron production and high-energy-density plasma research.
Research interests
High-energy-density plasma physics; pulsed-power systems; Z-pinches; Dense Plasma Focus devices and neutron sources; x-ray and neutron radiation generation; plasma and radiation diagnostics; and medical physics.
Courses taught
- PHYS 152: Electricity & Magnetism, Circuits, Optics, Special Relativity, Quantum Mechanics, and Nuclear Physics
- PHYS 181: Thermodynamics and Electricity & Magnetism
- Undergraduate Physics Laboratories (Teaching Assistant)
Education
- Ph.D. in Physics, University of Nevada, Reno, 2022
Dissertation: Experimental Study of X-ray Production and Implosion Dynamics of Low-, Mid-, and High-Atomic-Number Materials on University-Scale Z-pinch Machines of Various Architecture - B.S. in Physics, University of Nevada, Reno, 2016
- A.S. in Science, Truckee Meadows Community College, 2013
Selected publications
- C.J. Butcher et al., “Characteristic Effects of Pulsed Power Generators of Different Architecture on the Implosion Dynamics of Mid-Z Double Planar Wire Arrays,” IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science (2022).
- C.J. Butcher et al., “Load Dynamics of Double Planar Foil Liners and Double Planar Wire Arrays on the UM MAIZE LTD Generator,” Physics of Plasmas 28, 082702 (2021).