Color photo of Ben Chandran of the EOS Space Science Center.

Benjamin Chandran

Professor
Phone: (603) 862-4197
Office: Morse Hall, Room 242, Durham, NH 03824
Websites:
Professor Chandran received his Ph.D. from Princeton University in 1997. His research is in the areas of theoretical plasma physics and theoretical astrophysics, particularly problems at the interface between these two fields. His main interests are plasma turbulence, the role of turbulence in the solar corona and other astrophysical settings, and the evolution of baryonic matter in clusters of galaxies. He has also worked on cosmic-ray propagation, particle acceleration at shocks, and the origin of astrophysical magnetic fields. His research program is supported by grants from NASA, NSF, and DOE, and offers research opportunities for undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral scholars.

Courses Taught

  • PHYS 408: General Physics II
  • PHYS 944: Quantum Mechanics II
  • PHYS 999: Doctoral Research

Education

  • Ph.D., Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton University
  • M.A., Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton University
  • B.A., Physics, Yale University
  • B.A., History, Yale University

Selected Publications

  • David, V., Chandran, B. D. G., Meyrand, R., Squire, J., & Yerger, E. L. (2025). Generalized expanding-box formulations of reduced magnetohydrodynamics in the solar wind. Journal of Plasma Physics, 91(2). doi:10.1017/s0022377825000145

  • Chandran, B. D. G., Sioulas, N., Bale, S., Bowen, T., David, V., Meyrand, R., & Yerger, E. (2025). Intermittent, reflection-driven, strong imbalanced MHD turbulence. Journal of Plasma Physics, 91(2). doi:10.1017/s0022377825000194

  • Meyrand, R., Squire, J., Mallet, A., & Chandran, B. D. G. (2025). Reflection-driven turbulence in the super-Alfvénic solar wind. Journal of Plasma Physics, 91(1). doi:10.1017/s0022377824001181

  • Huang 黄, Z. 泽., Velli, M., Shi 时, C. 辰., Zhu 朱, Y. 英., Chandran, B. D. G., Bowen, T., . . . Bale, S. D. (2024). Dominance of 2 Minute Oscillations near the Alfvén Surface. The Astrophysical Journal Letters, 977(1), L12. doi:10.3847/2041-8213/ad9271

  • Bowen, T. A., Vasko, I. Y., Bale, S. D., Chandran, B. D. G., Chasapis, A., Dudok de Wit, T., . . . Squire, J. (2024). Extended Cyclotron Resonant Heating of the Turbulent Solar Wind. The Astrophysical Journal Letters, 972(1), L8. doi:10.3847/2041-8213/ad6b2e

  • Kasper, J. C., Bale, S. D., Belcher, J. W., Berthomier, M., Case, A. W., Chandran, B. D. G., . . . Schwadron, N. A. (2019). Alfvenic velocity spikes and rotational flows in the near-Sun solar wind. NATURE, 576(7786), 228-+. doi:10.1038/s41586-019-1813-z

  • Bale, S. D., Goetz, K., Harvey, P. R., Turin, P., Bonnell, J. W., Dudok de Wit, T., . . . Wygant, J. R. (2016). The FIELDS Instrument Suite for Solar Probe Plus. SPACE SCIENCE REVIEWS, 204(1-4), 49-82. doi:10.1007/s11214-016-0244-5

  • Kasper, J. C., Abiad, R., Austin, G., Balat-Pichelin, M., Bale, S. D., Belcher, J. W., . . . Zank, G. (2016). Solar Wind Electrons Alphas and Protons (SWEAP) Investigation: Design of the Solar Wind and Coronal Plasma Instrument Suite for Solar Probe Plus. SPACE SCIENCE REVIEWS, 204(1-4), 131-186. doi:10.1007/s11214-015-0206-3

  • Chandran, B. D. G., Li, B., Rogers, B. N., Quataert, E., & Germaschewski, K. (2010). PERPENDICULAR ION HEATING BY LOW-FREQUENCY ALFVEN-WAVE TURBULENCE IN THE SOLAR WIND. ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL, 720(1), 503-515. doi:10.1088/0004-637X/720/1/503

  • Chandran, B. D. G., & Cowley, S. C. (1998). Thermal Conduction in a Tangled Magnetic Field. Physical Review Letters, 80(14), 3077-3080. doi:10.1103/physrevlett.80.3077

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  • Most Cited Publications