Large‐scalequantization from local correlations in space plasmas

Abstract

This study examines the large-scale quantization that can characterize the phase space of certain physical systems. Plasmas are such systems where large-scale quantization, ħ * , is caused by Debye shielding that structures correlations between particles. The value of ħ * is constant-some 12 orders of magnitude larger than the Planck constant-across a wide range of space plasmas, from the solar wind in the inner heliosphere to the distant plasma in the inner heliosheath and the local interstellar medium. This paper develops the foundation and advances the understanding of the concept of plasma quantization; in particular, we (i) show the analogy of plasma to Planck quantization, (ii) show the key points of plasma quantization, (iii) construct some basic quantum mechanical concepts for the large-scale plasma quantization, (iv) investigate the correlation between plasma parameters that implies plasma quantization, when it is approximated by a relation between the magnetosonic energy and the plasma frequency, (v) analyze typical space plasmas throughout the heliosphere and show the constancy of plasma quantization over many orders of magnitude in plasma parameters, (vi) analyze Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) solar wind measurements to develop another measurement of the value of ħ * , and (vii) apply plasma quantization to derive unknown plasma parameters when some key observable is missing.

Thermodynamic Definitions of Temperature and Kappa and Introduction of the Entropy Defect

“…The factor g κ , N depends on the kappa index κ and the number of correlated particles; for a large number of particles, it becomes g κ , N ≈ 1. Finally, the phase-space parcel is typically given by the Planck’s constant, but it was shown to represent a different and larger constant in space plasmas, where Debye shielding limits the distance of correlations, [ 55 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 ] (namely, = , when no correlations exist among particles, and = , when significant correlations exist among particles beyond their nearest neighbors, as in the case of the majority of space plasmas).…”

Introduction to special section on Origins and Properties of Kappa Distributions: Statistical Background and Properties of Kappa Distributions in Space Plasmas

“…These analyses led to the determination of the thermodynamic variables of these plasmas, as well as the understanding of the underpinning plasma processes. (A characteristic example is the large‐scale quantization constant that characterizes collisionless space plasmas [e.g., Livadiotis and McComas , , ]. )…”

“…The author acknowledges the usage of several data taken from the papers of Olbert [1968], Formisano et al [1973], Mauk et al [1987], Christon [1987] Livadiotis and McComas [2010a, 2010b, 2013b, 2014a, Raymond et al [2010], Hapgood et al [2011], Livadiotis et al [2011], Binette et al [2012], Nicholls et al [2012], Lee et al [2013], Ogasawara et al [2013], Cranmer [2014], Yoon [2014], and Zhang et al [2014].…”

Kappa Distributions: Statistical Physics and Thermodynamics of Space and Astrophysical Plasmas

“…The parameter g κ is a function of the kappa index κ 0 and the number of correlated particles N; a large N becomes g κ ≈ 1. The phase-space cell parameter C is interpreted by the Planck's constant for collisional particle systems, or by the large-scale quantization constant * for collisionless particle systems (e.g., [1], Chapters 2 & 5; [14,27,33,[121][122][123][124]).…”