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Stenzel RL, Urrutia JM. Probes to measure kinetic and magnetic phenomena in plasmas. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2021; 92:111101. [PMID: 34852543 DOI: 10.1063/5.0059344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Diagnostic tools are of fundamental importance in experimental research. In plasma physics, probes are usually used to obtain the plasma parameters, such as density, temperature, electromagnetic fields, and waves. This Review focuses on low-temperature plasma diagnostics where in situ probes can be used. Examples of in situ and remote diagnostics will be shown, proven by many experimental verifications. This Review starts with Langmuir probes and then continues with other diagnostics such as waves, beams, and particle collectors, which can provide high accuracy. A basic energy analyzer has been advanced to measure distribution functions with three-dimensional velocity resolution, three directions in real space and time resolution. The measurement of the seven-dimensional distribution function is the basis for understanding kinetic phenomena in plasma physics. Non-Maxwellian distributions have been measured in magnetic reconnection experiments, scattering of beams, wakes of ion beams, etc. The next advance deals with the diagnostics of electromagnetic effects. It requires magnetic probes that simultaneously resolve three field components, measured in three spatial directions and with time resolution. Such multi-variable data unambiguously yield field topologies and related derivatives. Examples will be shown for low frequency whistler modes, which are force-free vortices, flux ropes, and helical phase rotations. Thus, with advanced probes, large data acquisition and fast processing further advance in the fields of kinetic plasma physics and electromagnetic phenomena can be expected. The transition from probes to antennas will also be stimulated. Basic research with new tools will also lead to new applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reiner L Stenzel
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095-1547, USA
| | - J Manuel Urrutia
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095-1547, USA
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Liu Y, Shi P, Zhang X, Lei J, Ding W. Laboratory plasma devices for space physics investigation. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2021; 92:071101. [PMID: 34340448 DOI: 10.1063/5.0021355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In the past decades, laboratory experiments have contributed significantly to the exploration of the fundamental physics of space plasmas. Since 1908, when Birkeland invented the first terrella device, numerous experimental apparatuses have been designed and constructed for space physics investigations, and beneficial achievements have been gained using these laboratory plasma devices. In the present work, we review the initiation, development, and current status of laboratory plasma devices for space physics investigations. The notable experimental apparatuses are categorized and discussed according to the central scientific research topics they are related to, such as space plasma waves and instabilities, magnetic field generation and reconnection, and modeling of the Earth's and planetary space environments. The characteristics of each device, including the plasma configuration, plasma generation, and control method, are highlighted and described in detail. In addition, their contributions to reveal the underlying physics of space observations are also briefly discussed. For the scope of future research, various challenges are discussed, and suggestions are provided for the construction of new and enhanced devices. The objective of this work is to allow space physicists and planetary scientists to enhance their knowledge of the experimental apparatuses and the corresponding experimental techniques, thereby facilitating the combination of spacecraft observation, numerical simulation, and laboratory experiments and consequently promoting the development of space physics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Geospace Environment, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Peiyun Shi
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506, USA
| | - Xiao Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Geospace Environment, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Jiuhou Lei
- CAS Key Laboratory of Geospace Environment, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Weixing Ding
- CAS Key Laboratory of Geospace Environment, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
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Gekelman W, DeHaas T, Prior C, Yeates A. Using topology to locate the position where fully three-dimensional reconnection occurs. SN APPLIED SCIENCES 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s42452-020-03896-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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Moses RW, Finn JM, Ling KM. Plasma heating by collisionless magnetic reconnection: Analysis and computation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.1029/92ja02267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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Lawrence EE, Gekelman W. Identification of a quasiseparatrix layer in a reconnecting laboratory magnetoplasma. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2009; 103:105002. [PMID: 19792321 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.103.105002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The concept of quasiseparatrix layers (QSLs) has emerged as a powerful tool to study the connectivity of magnetic field lines undergoing magnetic reconnection in solar flares. Although they have been used principally by the solar physics community until now, QSLs can be employed to shed light on all processes in which reconnection occurs. We present the first application of this theory to an experimental flux rope configuration. The three-dimensional data set acquired in this experiment makes the determination of the QSL possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric E Lawrence
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.
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Kesich A, Bonde J, Egedal J, Fox W, Goodwin R, Katz N, Le A. Magnetic flux array for spontaneous magnetic reconnection experiments. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2008; 79:063505. [PMID: 18601406 DOI: 10.1063/1.2937193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Experimental investigation of reconnection in magnetized plasmas relies on accurate characterization of the evolving magnetic fields. In experimental configurations where the plasma dynamics are reproducible, magnetic data can be collected in multiple discharges and combined to provide spatially resolved profiles of the plasma dynamics. However, in experiments on spontaneous magnetic reconnection recently undertaken at the Versatile Toroidal Facility at MIT, the reconnection process is not reproducible and all information on the plasma must be collected in a single discharge. This paper describes a newly developed magnetic flux array which directly measures the toroidal component of the magnetic vector potential, A(phi). From the measured A(phi), the magnetic field geometry, current density, and reconnection rate are readily obtained, facilitating studies of the three-dimensional dynamics of spontaneous magnetic reconnection. The novel design of the probe array allows for accurate characterization of profiles of A(phi) at multiple toroidal angles using a relatively small number of signal channels and with minimal disturbance of the plasma.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Kesich
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Plasma Science and Fusion Center, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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Egedal J, Fasoli A, Nazemi J. Dynamical plasma response during driven magnetic reconnection. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2003; 90:135003. [PMID: 12689297 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.90.135003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2002] [Revised: 11/25/2002] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Direct measurements of a collisionless current channel during driven magnetic reconnection are obtained for the first time on the Versatile Toroidal Facility. The size of the diffusion region is found to scale with the electron drift orbit width, independent of the ion mass and plasma density. Based on experimental observations, analytic expressions governing the dynamical evolution of the current profile and the formation of the electrostatic potential that develops in response to the externally imposed reconnection drive are established. This time response is closely linked to the presence of ion polarization currents.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Egedal
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Plasma Science and Fusion Center, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA.
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Yamada M. Review of controlled laboratory experiments on physics of magnetic reconnection. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1999. [DOI: 10.1029/1998ja900169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Ono Y, Morita A, Katsurai M, Yamada M. Experimental investigation of three‐dimensional magnetic reconnection by use of two colliding spheromaks. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1993. [DOI: 10.1063/1.860840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
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Yamada M, Ono Y, Hayakawa A, Katsurai M, Perkins FW. Magnetic reconnection of plasma toroids with cohelicity and counterhelicity. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 1990; 65:721-724. [PMID: 10043002 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.65.721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
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Burkhart GR, Drake JF, Chen J. Magnetic reconnection in collisionless plasmas: Prescribed fields. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1990. [DOI: 10.1029/ja095ia11p18833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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Hewett DW, Francis GE, Max CE. New regimes of magnetic reconnection in collisionless plasmas. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 1988; 61:893-896. [PMID: 10039457 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.61.893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
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Gekelman W, Stenzel RL. Measurement and instability analysis of three-dimensional anisotropic electron distribution functions. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 1985; 54:2414-2417. [PMID: 10031336 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.54.2414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
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Spontaneous reconnegtion. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1984. [DOI: 10.1029/gm030p0009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
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Gekelman W, Stenzel RL. Magnetic field line reconnection experiments: 6. Magnetic turbulence. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1984. [DOI: 10.1029/ja089ia05p02715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Bratenahl A, Baum PJ. Comment on ‘Magnetic field line reconnection experiments,’ Parts 1–4 by R. L. Stenzel, W. Gekelman, and N. Wild. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1983. [DOI: 10.1029/ja088ia01p00503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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Stenzel RL, Gekelman W, Wild N. Magnetic field line reconnection experiments: 5. Current disruptions and double layers. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1983. [DOI: 10.1029/ja088ia06p04793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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Stenzel RL, Gekelman W, Wild N. Magnetic field line reconnection experiments, 4. Resistivity, heating, and energy flow. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1982. [DOI: 10.1029/ja087ia01p00111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Gekelman W, Stenzel RL, Wild N. Magnetic field line reconnection experiments, 3. Ion acceleration, flows, and anomalous scattering. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1982. [DOI: 10.1029/ja087ia01p00101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Gekelman W, Stenzel RL. Magnetic field line reconnection experiments 2. Plasma parameters. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1981. [DOI: 10.1029/ja086ia02p00659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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