Summary
Overview
Princeton University. Plasma
Physics Laboratory.
Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory
Records
4.71 linear feet, 4 boxes and 5 volumes
Abstract
The U.S. Department of Energy Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) is a
Collaborative National Center for plasma and fusion science. Its primary mission is
to develop the scientific understanding and the key innovations which will lead to a
new fusion energy source. The PPPL Records include digitized historical negatives
and publications from the PPPL Communications Office, documenting the people,
projects, events, activities and physical grounds of the laboratory through a span
of 49 years.
Description
Description
The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory Records document the people, projects,
events, activities and physical grounds of the laboratory through a span of 49
years. The records include one binder of digitized historical negatives and four
binders, one box of PPPL Communications Office Publications, and three boxes of
materials from the office of Dr. Earl C. Tanner, a long-term employee of the
PPL. Included with the digitized historical negatives are thumbnail prints and a
list of images. The publications include PPPL
Hotline (1979-2007) and two series of PPPL
News (1977-1979, 1997-2007). Dr. Tanner's files inlude PPL
administrative materials, visual materials, and resource files on energy
production research.
Collection Creator
History
The U.S. Department of Energy Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) is a
Collaborative National Center for plasma and fusion science. Its primary mission is
to develop the scientific understanding and the key innovations which will lead to a
new fusion energy source.
Magnetic fusion research at Princeton began in 1951 under the code name Project
Matterhorn. Lyman Spitzer, Jr., Professor of Astronomy at Princeton University, had
for many years been involved in the study of very hot rarefied gases in interstellar
space. Princeton University's controlled fusion effort was born when Professor
Spitzer took his design of a plasma being confined in a figure-eight-shaped tube by
an externally generated magnetic field, the "stellarator," before the Atomic Energy
Commission in Washington. In 1958, magnetic fusion research was declassified
allowing all nations to share their results openly.
Since the 1970s, PPPL has been a leader in magnetic confinement experiments utilizing
the tokamak approach. PPPL researchers continue to lead work on advanced fusion
devices and are developing other innovated concepts. Laboratory scientists are
collaborating with researchers on fusion science and technology at other facilities,
both domestic and foreign. Staff are applying knowledge gained in fusion research to
a number of theoretical and experimental areas including materials science, solar
physics, chemistry, and manufacturing.
Other directors, succeeding Mr. Spitzer (1951-1961), were Melvin B. Gottlieb
(1961-1980), Harold P. Furth (1981-1990), Ronald C. Davidson (1991-1996) and Robert
J. Goldston (1997-Present).
Collection History
Acquisition
Portions of this collection were transferred to the University Archives by the
Plasma Physics Laboratory on October
17, 2007 and on July 29,
2008.
Archival Appraisal Information
Appraisal has been conducted in accordance with Mudd Library guidelines. A
duplicate binder of material for a 1981 committee meeting and one linear foot of
loose, unorganized reference materials on energy production research were
separated from Series 3: Earl C. Tanner Files.
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Mike Mellor in
November 2007. Finding aid
written by Mike Mellor in November 2007. Series 3 was added
by Christie Peterson with assistance from Eleanor Wright '14 between December 2010 and January 2011.
Bibliography
Organizational history based on information provided by the PPPL website (
http://www.pppl.gov/history.cfm).
Access and Use
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research use.
Use Restrictions
Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. Permission to publish
material from the collection must be requested from the University Archivist.
Copyright is held by the Trustees of Princeton University.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Digital Images in TIFF and PDF formats require software for viewing. Access to
this material follows the Mudd Manuscript Library policy for preservation and
access to audiovisual materials.
Preferred Citation
Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory
Records; 1958-2007, Princeton University Archives, Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, Princeton University Library.
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Subject Terms
Genre Terms
Related Material
Additional information pertaining to the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory can
be found in the Historical Subject Files Collection (AC109), Series 8. Finding
aid available online at: http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/kw52j807s.
Audio recordings of lectures, symposia and special events related to the
Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory can be found in the Historical Audiovisual
Collection (AC332). Finding aid availabe online at: http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/8g84mm25r.
Location of Originals
The originals of the historic negatives and PPPL
Hotline are located at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory.
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