Complex Open Systems Research Network

Prof Robert Dewar

 

Convenor of COSNet Address: Prof. Robert L. Dewar, FAA Department. of Theoretical Physics Research School of Phys. Sci. & Eng. Bldg. 59, Australian National University Canberra ACT 0200 Phone: +61 2 6125 2949 Fax: +61 2 6125 4676 Email: Robert.Dewar@anu.edu.au Webpage: http://wwwrsphysse.anu.edu.au/~rld105/Dewar_Docs Research Node: Central/CCS

 

Role in Network

COSNet Convenor
Academic - Researcher

COSNet Research Themes

1. Irreversibility and Emergence in Nonequilibrium Systems
2. Turbulence and Coherent Structures, Control and Computation
3. Dynamics and Statistics of Multi-Scale Systems

COSNet Application Areas

1. Complex Physical Systems

 

Research Topics

I work in the general area of theoretical plasma physics. This field provides a rich array of problems in classical field theory, fluid dynamics, nonlinear dynamics and chaos, and nonequilibrium statistical mechanics. I work mainly in problems related to laboratory plasmas, in particular to those at ANU, but have also an interest in space and astrophysical plasmas. Topics of current interest include:

* Linear spectrum of waves and instabilities in stellarators -- a classical application of "quantum chaos" theory.
* Breakup of invariant (KAM) tori in Hamiltonian systems and its effect on transport -- a problem in classical chaos theory.
* Dynamics of turbulent plasmas -- transport bifurcations, zonal flows etc.
 

Publications

1. R.L. Dewar, B.G. Kenny, C. Nührenberg, T. Tatsuno, and B.F. McMillan, Quantum chaos? Genericity and nongenericity in the MHD spectrum of nonaxisymmetric toroidal plasmas, accepted for publication in J. Korean Phys. Soc. (2007), E-print arXiv:physics/0608304
2. D.E. Stewart and R.L. Dewar, Chapter on Non-linear dynamics, in Complex Systems, eds. T.R.J. Bossomaier and D.G. Green (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, U.K, 2000) pp. 167-248.
3. P. Cuthbert and R.L. Dewar, Anderson-localized ballooning modes in general toroidal plasmas, Phys Plasmas 7, 2302-2305 (2000)
4. S.R. Hudson and R.L. Dewar, Analysis of perturbed magnetic fields via construction of nearby integrable fields, Phys. Plasmas 6, 1532-1538 (1999)
5. R.E. Waltz, R.L. Dewar, and X. Garbet Theory and simulation of rotational shear stabilization of turbulence, Phys. Plasmas 5, 1784-1792 (1998)
6. M.G. Davidson, R.L. Dewar, H.J. Gardner and J. Howard, Hamiltonian maps for Heliac magnetic islands, Australian J. Phys. 48 , 871-886 (1995)
7. R.L. Dewar and J.D. Meiss, Flux-Minimizing Curves for Reversible Area-Preserving Maps, Physica D 57 , 476-506 (1992)
8. R.L. Dewar, and A.H. Glasser, Ballooning Mode Spectrum in General Toroidal Systems, Phys. Fluids 26 , 3038-3052 (1983)
9. R.L. Dewar, Renormalized Canonical Perturbation Theory for Stochastic Propagators, J. Phys. A9, 2043-2057 (1976)
10. R.L. Dewar, Interaction Between Hydromagnetic Waves and a Time-Dependent Inhomogeneous Medium, Phys. Fluids 13, 2710-2720 (1970)  

End-User Applications

My work has been used in the design of fusion plasma experiments. Fusion offers a long-term solution to the provision of CO2-free baseload energy production.  

Professional or Public Outreach Activities

* Chair and principal organiser of the International Congress on Plasma Physics, Sydney 2002
* Organiser of Australia/Japan/US Workshop on High-Performance Computing and Visualisation in Plasma Physics Research, Magnetic Island, Q'land, July 1-3, 1999
* Co-organiser of NCTP Research Workshop on 2D Turbulence in Plasmas & Fluids, ANU, June-July 1997.
* Organiser of Australia/Japan workshop on Plasma Theory and Computation, Robertson, NSW, 15-17 Nov. 1995.
* President of 19th AINSE Plasma Science and Technology Conference / E. & F. White Workshop, 12-15 July, 1993.
* Convenor of the ANU RSPhysS Department of Theoretical Physics' Fourth Physics Summer School Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos held 7-25 January, 1991.
 

Complex Systems Software

Mathematica  

Grants

Year Short Title Funding
2004-2006 Dewar & Hudson: DP0452728 Existence and Stability of a Model for Three-Dimensional Toroidal Plasma Equilibria $255k
2003-2007 Dewar, Ball & Frederiksen: DP0343765 Studies of turbulence and coherent structures in quasi two-dimensional plasmas and fluids $605k
2003-2004 Ball, Dewar, Waelbroeck: LX0347292 Low-order dynamical models for non-linear fluid behaviour in quasi two-dimensional plasmas (ARC Linkage International) $9k  

Membership/Fellowship of Key Organisations

Fellow, American Physical Society
Fellow, Australian Academy of Science
Fellow, Australian Institute of Physics
Member, South-East Asia Theoretical Physics Association
Member, Australian Mathematical Society
Member, International Association of Mathematical Physics

Alternate, Executive Committee on the IEA Implementing Agreement on the Development of the Stellarator Concept
Member, C16: Commission on Plasma Physics, International Union Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP)  

Awards and Distinctions

Centenary Medal 2003 "For service to Australian society in physical sciences and engineering "
Lead in successful $8.7M bid for H-1NF Major National Research Facility, 1995
Election to Australian Academy of Science 1992
Election to American Physical Society 1980