Bereiche | Tage | Auswahl | Suche | Aktualisierungen | Downloads | Hilfe

P: Fachverband Plasmaphysik

P 17: Poster II

P 17.6: Poster

Freitag, 3. September 2021, 14:00–16:00, P

"Zyflex": next generation plasma chamber for complex plasma research in space — •Christina A. Knapek¹, Uwe Konopka², Daniel P. Mohr¹, Peter Huber¹, Andrey M. Lipaev³, and Hubertus M. Thomas¹ — ¹Institut für Materialphysik im Weltraum, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR), Weßling, Germany — ²Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA — ³Joint Institute for High Temperatures of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia

Complex plasmas consist of highly charged micrometer-sized grains injected into a low temperature noble gas discharge. Since gravity has a strong influence on the particle system, experiments under microgravity conditions are essential. A novel plasma chamber (the "Zyflex" chamber) has been designed for complex plasma research in a future facility on the International Space Station (ISS). The cylindrical, radio-frequency driven discharge device includes a variety of innovations that for example allow to flexibly adjust plasma parameters and its volume. Compared to former chambers used in space based complex plasma facilities, it also supports much larger particle systems and can be operated at much lower gas pressures, thus reducing the damping of particle motion considerably. Beyond the technical description and particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation based characterization of the plasma vessel, we show sample results from experiments performed with this device in the lab as well as during parabolic flights. Further, an outlook on the future ISS facility COMPACT with the Zyflex chamber at its core is given. This work is funded by DLR/BMWi (FKZ 50WM1441).