A new and innovative experimental research is proposed to study collisionless plasma processes in the controlled laboratory configuration. The plasma in a dipole magnetic field simulates the earth's magnetosphere. The advances in the diagnostic methods (non-intrusive) make possible reliable measurements of radial profiles of temperature and density. These are significant improvements over the old terrela-type experiments. The experimental observations are to be studied with theoretical work. Nonlinear wave interactions, hot trapped particle instability, interchange instability will theoretically be studied. The results from theory and experiment should advance understanding of basic physics and magnetospheric plasma processes.

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences (AGS)
Application #
8820369
Program Officer
Kenneth H. Schatten
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
1989-06-01
Budget End
1992-05-31
Support Year
Fiscal Year
1988
Total Cost
$107,775
Indirect Cost
Name
Columbia University
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10027