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Simulation of Astrophysical Processes in the Laboratory

Abstract

A PLASMA gun (or plasma source) has been developed which can project plasmoids1 (plasma-magnetic entities) across a magnetic field (in a vacuum) at speeds up to 107 cm./sec. A Taylor-instability jet2 produced in a plasma supported against gravity by magnetic field may thus be simulated and studied in the laboratory. The track left by the plasmoid in crossing a magnetic field is luminous1 because of the recombination light of the ions and electrons which have been left behind as ‘debris’. The track may thus be photographed.

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References

  1. Phys. Rev. and Rev. Sci. Instr. (in the press).

  2. Bostick, W. H., Phys. Rev., 100, 1007 (1955).

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BOSTICK, W., TWITE, O. Simulation of Astrophysical Processes in the Laboratory. Nature 179, 214–215 (1957). https://doi.org/10.1038/179214a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/179214a0

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