AST-9720263 ABSTRACT - J. Weatherall and J. Eilek MAGNETIZED STRONG PLASMA TURBULENCE AND PARTICLE ACCELERATION A new study of strong plasma turbulence combines theoretical and computational tools to address two important questions. One is the dynamics of magnetized strong turbulence. This study addresses the connection of large-scale Alfvenic turbulence to small-scale lower hybrid turbulence via the coupling of modes in strong turbulence processes. The second question is the role of turbulence in the energization of relativistic particles. This other study analyzes the dissipation of magnetized turbulence through transit-time damping. Such damping should be an effective accelerator of a high energy component of the plasma to relativistic energies. The research is particularly relevant to the area of particle acceleration in astrophysical plasmas, where the role of strong plasma turbulence has not been studied. The results of the research may lead to essential new physics for the energization of relativistic particles in clusters of galaxies. The program of research addresses basic issues of turbulent structure in magnetized plasmas, relativistic plasmas, and cosmic plasmas.
