Current-free double layers applied to astrophysical objects and space propulsion

One of the great mysteries of the cosmos is how charged particles are accelerated and heated, e.g. the solar corona and the Earth's aurora. We have discovered a new class of stable, current-free, electric double layers which can accelerate particles to high energies without the need of a current flow. This project will develop the first three-dimensional mapping of charged particle energy distribution functions upstream and downstream of laboratory double layers for application to a broad set of astrophysical and terrestrial problems and for the development of a space qualified Helicon Double Layer Thruster for future scientific missions.