ionospheric plasma

MIT undergraduates make important contributions to the ASIS/IRIS experiments.

The Ionospheric Plasma Research Group, led by Professor Min-Chang Lee, uses the All Sky Imaging System (ASIS) and Ionospheric Radar Integrated System (IRIS) to diagnose plasma turbulence occurring in space and laboratory plasmas. The Versatile Toroidal Facility (VTF) has been used for laboratory simulations of radio wave-induced space plasma turbulence. ASIS can record infrared, visible, and ultra-violet (UV) emissions to determine the profiles of plasmas and the structures of plasma turbulence. IRIS can further identify the plasma waves and their characteristic features, such as wavelengths and density fluctuations in the turbulence. ASIS and IRIS experiments in Puerto Rico and Alaska are controlled studies of naturally occurring and RF heated plasma turbulence with applications to improved satellite and radio communications as well as plasma fusion research.