This research opportunity is for experimental testing of theories on nonlinear plasma processes with emphasis on wave-particle or wave-wave interactions and plasma turbulence in the Earth’s ionosphere.  One method for testing these plasma physics theory, modelling, and simulations are to generate high-speed heavy ions with orbital vapor releases.  Ions are either generated via photoionization or charge exchange.  Once ionized the heavy high-speed ions form an unstable velocity distribution generating several types of wave turbulence.  Research will involve: 1) software modelling of vapor and ion release characteristics and 2) contributing to hardware system designs for planned near-term experimental launches.  Flight hardware may include: 1) in-situ or remote sensing of neutral, electron, and ion densities and energies, 2) in-situ  sensing of plasma and electromagnetic waves, and 3) in-situ sensing of heating of the local plasma in the vapor release region.  Potential application areas include ionospheric wave propagation, effects on Earth’s radiation belts, solar wind plasmas, laser plasma interactions, beam plasma instabilities, space weather models and dynamics, and dusty plasmas application in both laboratory and solar corona plasmas.

Additional Benefits

Awardees who reside more than 50 miles from their host laboratory and remain on tenure for at least six months are eligible for paid relocation to within the vicinity of their host laboratory.

A group health insurance program is available to awardees and their qualifying dependents in the United States.