By: David Campbell
Princeton University astrophysicist Nathaniel Fisch has been named the recipient of the American Physical Society’s 2005 James Clerk Maxwell Prize for Plasma Physics, the university announced.
The prize recognizes Professor Fisch, director of the university’s Program in Plasma Physics and associate director for academic affairs at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, for his contributions to the field of plasma physics.
He is cited for "theoretical development of efficient radio frequency-driven current in plasmas and for greatly expanding our ability to understand, to analyze and to utilize wave-plasma interactions."
PPPL Director Rob Goldston said Professor Fisch’s work on radio frequency waves "has changed the face of international fusion research," and noted, "In many ways the research agenda of the last decade in fusion plasma physics has only been made possible by Nat’s insights."
Professor Scott Tremaine, chairman of the university’s Department of Astrophysical Sciences, called Professor Fisch "an exceptional theoretical physicist" committed to PPPL’s role in the training of the next generation of plasma physicists, and to strengthening the interactions between PPPL and university researchers.
"Nat’s work exemplifies the benefits that accrue to both communities from close cooperation between universities and national labs," he said.
The Maxwell Prize is awarded annually and carries a $5,000 cash prize. It was established in 1975 by Maxwell Technologies Inc. in honor of Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell.

