Position: Assistant Professor

Educational Background: Ph.D. 2020, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria, M.Sc. 2016, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria, B.Sc. 2013, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria

Research Interests:  Plasma Physics, Fusion Energy, Plasma Edge Physics, Magnetohydrodynamic Stability, Plasma Diagnostics

Dr. Georg Friedrich Harrer’s research focuses on plasma physics and fusion energy, particularly on understanding and controlling plasma stability in fusion reactors. His work contributes to the development of sustainable fusion energy sources, which have the potential to provide clean, nearly limitless energy for future generations.

Dr. Harrer’s research activities include:

Investigating plasma confinement and stability in fusion devices, particularly in high-confinement regimes without large edge-localized modes (ELMs).
Studying the scrape-off layer and plasma-wall interactions in fusion reactors.
Developing and applying advanced diagnostic techniques for plasma characterization.
Collaborating on international fusion research projects, including work with ASDEX Upgrade, TCV, MAST-U and JET
Before joining Hampton University, Dr. Harrer completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the TU Wien and the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics / EUROfusion in Garching, Germany. During this time, he also served as a Scientific Coordinator for EUROfusion, demonstrating his leadership in the field of fusion research.

Dr. Harrer’s teaching philosophy emphasizes the connection between theoretical concepts and practical applications in physics. He strives to engage students through a combination of lectures, project-based learning, and hands-on experimentation, preparing them for careers in cutting-edge research and technology development.

Selected Publications:

Cathey A, Hoelzl M, Meier L, … Harrer G, et al. (2024). Non-linear MHD investigations of high-confinement regimes without type-I ELMs in ASDEX Upgrade and JT-60SA. Nuclear Fusion, 64(9), 096003.
Harrer G, Faitsch M, Radovanovic L, et al. (2022). Quasicontinuous Exhaust Scenario for a Fusion Reactor: The Renaissance of Small Edge Localized Modes. Physical Review Letters, 129(16), 165001.
Stagni A, Vianello N, Tsui C, … Harrer G, et al. (2022). Dependence of scrape-off layer profiles and turbulence on gas fuelling in high-density H-mode regimes in TCV. Nuclear Fusion, 62(9), 096031.
Stroth U, Aguiam D, Alessi E, … Harrer G, et al. (2022). Progress from ASDEX Upgrade experiments in preparing the physics basis of ITER operation and DEMO scenario development. Nuclear Fusion, 62(4), 042006.
Faitsch M, Eich T, Harrer G, et al. (2023). Analysis and expansion of the quasi-continuous exhaust (QCE) regime in ASDEX Upgrade. Nuclear Fusion, 63(7), 076013.