Active and laboratory experiments in space plasma physics

Abstract

This report focuses on active experiments in space as well as laboratory experiments which are directly related to space phenomena. The active experiments involve particle releases in the CRESS and AMPTE missions. Unexpected results such as the motion of the plasma triggered several interesting computer simulations and a laboratory experiment which will be reviewed. Critical Ionization Phenomena will be discussed in this context. A recent release over Arecibo was used to create a “plasma lens” to focus radiation from the HF heater beam. The higher power triggered several nonlinear processes. Advances in plasma sources and diagnostics have made it possible to scale many laboratory experiments. Discussed here are experiments on Alfven waves generated by a localized source, 3D magnetic field line reconnection, three dimensional magnetized double layers and simulations of a tethered satellite.