Resume of the
3^rd International Conference on
the Frontiers of Plasma Physics and Technology

On behalf of the international Scientific Programme Committee it is a pleasure for me to recapitulate the Bangkok meeting March 2007. First of all the scientific programme committee likes to congratulate the local organizing committee and the conference directorate for organizing and hosting such a superb meeting.

When I was a student, I was under the impression that plasma physics is about fusion, or more precise magnetic confinement fusion. However, the situation has changed dramatically. While fusion with all its aspects of magnetic confinement, inertial fusion is still a very important part of plasma physics in general, the range of applications has broadened very much and comprises such diverse fields as surface treatment, pulsed power technology and astrophysical plasma phenomena. A local specialty in Thailand is obviously the surface treatment of silk with plasma physics methods.

To understand the basic plasma interactions, a lot of attention to plasma theory and simulations was given, as well as to a broad discussion of advanced plasma diagnostic methods. Very hot topics in the dual sense of the word are interaction phenomena of high power laser pulses with matter. This is especially important for the application in inertial fusion energy with emphasis on the fast ignition scheme. Much room was given to discuss advances in plasma physics application. Here we see the emerging field of particle beam generation and acceleration in strong laser fields and laser generated plasmas, and new radiation sources which clearly lead to applications in neighboring fields like Biology and medical treatment.

In general it was a pleasure for the committee to serve the conference, selecting from excellent papers to be presented during the conference. This conference has again achieved the aim to discuss complex- fundamental plasma physics issues and their applications in different countries, where plasma physics as a research field is not yet fully developed to full potential. We had excellent discussions and due to the excellent organization we also had the opportunity to learn much more about our host country Thailand and the host city Bangkok.

Let me close with a special thank to the conference director Tara Desai and let me also express the hope that we will have a chance to meet again during the next conference on the frontiers of plasma physics and technology

Dieter Hoffmann
Scientific advisory committee (chairman)

9^thMarch 2007