Ekoplasma - Complex Plasma Research in Space

Abstract

Complex plasmas consist of highly charged micrometer-sized grains injected into a low temperature noble gas discharge. The particles interact with each other via a screened Coulomb potential, and can form gaseous, liquid or solid states. On ground, gravity compresses the system and prevents the generation of larger, three-dimensional particle clouds. The Ekoplasma project, a Russian-German cooperation, is the future laboratory for the investigation of complex plasmas under microgravity conditions on the International Space Station (ISS). For this project, a plasma chamber with an adaptive internal geometry was designed, which extends the accessible experimental parameter range. The chamber was used for complex plasma experiments in parabolic flights and on ground. Further, plasma simulations were performed with a PIC (particle-in-cell) code to get an idea of the available plasma parameter range regarding electron temperature and plasma density. Here, experimental results from parabolic flights, the laboratory, and results of the plasma simulations will be presented, as well as the current project status. This work is funded by DLR/BMWi (FKZ 50WM1441).