We do experiments that simulate astrophysical systems, to explore physical mechanisms that matter in astrophysics. We work, in our laboratory, to improve the instrumentation used to measure structures on the scale of microns and nanoseconds. In addition, we use computers to simulate the hydrodynamic behavior of laser-driven experiments and supernova explosions. We also work in other areas, mentioned below.
Lasers are an incredibly-powerful research tool.
Throughout much of science today, they are used for diagnosis of physical systems. In the Drake Research Group we go beyond this, using very powerful lasers to create a tailored physical environment in which to ask a specific physical question. Our primary emphasis at present is the study of mechanisms that produce structure in supernovae and supernova remnants. The blast wave, which blows apart the star, and the shock wave, which the explosion drives out through the universe, drive instabilities that contribute to the marvelous structures now being revealed by observatories such as the Hubble and Chandra. The arrow on the left shows the first bright spot produced by the collision of the ejecta from the star and the pre-existing circumstellar ring.