Hybrid simulations of mini-magnetospheres in the laboratory
Abstract
Solar energetic ions are a known hazard to both spacecraft electronics and to manned space flights in interplanetary space missions that extend over a long period of time. A dipole-like magnetic field and a plasma source, forming a mini magnetosphere, are being tested in the laboratory as means of protection against such hazards. We investigate, via particle-in-cell hybrid simulations, using kinetic ions and fluid electrons, the characteristics of the mini magnetospheres. Our results, for parameters identical to the experimental conditions, reveal the formation of a mini-magnetosphere, whose features are scanned with respect to the plasma density, the plasma flow velocity, and the intensity of the dipole field. Comparisons with a simplified theoretical model reveal a good qualitative agreement and excellent quantitative agreement for higher plasma dynamic pressures and lower B-fields.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.0802.0107,
title = {Hybrid simulations of mini-magnetospheres in the laboratory},
author = {L. Gargaté and R. Bingham and R. A. Fonseca and R. Bamford and A. Thornton and K. Gibson and J. Bradford and L. O. Silva},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0802.0107},
year = {2009}
}