Laboratory plasma astrophysics simulation experiments using lasers

Battery-powered pulsed high density inductively coupled plasma source for pre-ionization in laboratory astrophysics experiments.

An electrically floating radiofrequency (RF) pre-ionization plasma source has been developed to enable neutral gas breakdown at lower pressures and to access new experimental regimes in the Caltech laboratory astrophysics experiments. The source uses a customized 13.56 MHz class D RF power amplifier that is powered by AA batteries, allowing it to safely float at 3-6 kV with the electrodes of th...

Laboratory Astrophysics White Paper

Nancy Brickhouse, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Steve Federman, University of Toledo, , Chair Victor H.S. Kwong, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, , Chair of LOC Farid Salama, NASA Ames Research Center, Daniel Savin, Columbia University, Phillip Stanc...

Accelerator Experiments for Astrophysics ∗

Many recent discoveries in astrophysics involve phenomena that are highly complex. Carefully designed experiments, together with sophisticated computer simulations , are required to gain insights into the underlying physics. We show that particle accelerators are unique tools in this area of research, by providing precision calibration data and by creating extreme experimental conditions releva...

The Madison plasma dynamo experiment: A facility for studying laboratory plasma astrophysics

Laboratory Simulation of Magnetospheric Plasma Shocks

An experimental simulation of planetary magnetospheres is being developed to investigate the formation of collisionless shocks and their effects. Two experimental situations are considered. In both, the solar wind is simulated by laser ablation plasmas. In one case, the “solar wind” flows across the magnetic field of a high-current discharge. In the other, a transverse magnetic field is embedde...