Non-equilibrium Magnetohydrodynamic Behavior of Plasmas Having Complex, Evolving Morphology

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The Principal Investigator will perform a unique experimental investigation of the topological and free-energy evolution of twisted magnetic flux in plasmas. Specifically, he will investigate the consequences of a high-speed collision between a plasma and a neutral gas. This project will advance our understanding of the non-equilibrium dynamics of plasmas having complex, evolving morphology, such as solar corona loops and astrophysical jets. These experimental results will be relevant to a wide variety of actual plasma phenomena in nature.The validity and accuracy of several numerical simulations in the wider plasma physics community will be tested against these experiments. This research will involve a high school student and two female graduate students, and it will also lead to the development of new experimental techniques in plasma physics.