Laboratory plasma devices for space physics investigation

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.

Space Plasma Physics: A Review

“…It should also be mentioned that our laboratory plasma colleagues were also developing instrumentation and unique plasma devices to help study space plasma phenomena in parallel with space mission studies. Two excellent reviews are [25] and [26].…”

Existence of Electrostatic Ion Cyclotron Waves in a Laboratory Created E Region Ionospheric‐Like Plasma

“…Theoretical works suggest that EIC waves can be excited by a field aligned current, that is, current‐driven electrostatic ion cyclotron (CDEIC) waves, which can accelerate the upward movement of ions into the magnetosphere in the direction perpendicular to the geomagnetic field (Bythrow et al., 1984). However, most previous works on EIC waves have been performed in collisionless or weak collisional plasma similar to that in the F region ionosphere, which is different from that in the E region ionospheric plasma (Liu et al., 2021). A significant characteristic of the E region ionospheric plasma, where molecular ions are dominant, is the collisional effect induced by the partially ionized plasma (Sharma et al., 2020).…”

Currents in reconnection plasma jets: comparative study of laboratory experiments and spacecraft observations

“…Frank 2010, Katz et al 2010, Yamada et al 2010, Greess et al 2022, Zhao et al 2022, where repetition of experiments (to a high degree of accuracy) allows one to separate spatial and temporal dynamics (see examples in Yamada et al 2000, 2016, Peterson et al 2021, Frank 2022. This has led to a persistent interest in simulating space plasma systems using laboratory plasma, including current sheets and magnetic reconnection (see reviews in Fälthammar 1974, Koepke 2008, Zweibel and Yamada 2009, Howes 2018, Peterson et al 2019, Liu et al 2021, Chien et al 2023.…”