Neste trabalho foi realizado um estudo do transporte de partículas em um plasma, confinado em um campo magnético uniforme, devido às ondas eletrostáticas de deriva. O modelo adotado consiste em descrever o movimento do centro de guia de uma partícula no campo magnético perpendicular a um campo elétrico radial perturbado pelas ondas de deriva. Usamos uma descrição Hamiltoniana para o movimento dos centros de guia. A velocidade de deriva produzida pelo campo elétrico radial é representada pela parte integrável da Hamiltoniana e a esta foram adicionadas perturbações periódicas representando as flutuações do campo elétrico associadas às ondas de deriva. Assim, obtemos órbitas caóticas que determinam o transporte radial das partículas. Apresentamos, para várias condições de equilíbrio, a variação do transporte radial de partículas com a amplitude da perturbação. Utilizamos dados experimentais, sobre a turbulência eletrostática no tokamak TBR-1, para verificar a validade do modelo e a importância das ondas de deriva no transporte radial das partículas. Comparamos os valores do coeficiente de difusão experimental com os do modelo e obtivemos os resultados com a mesma ordem de grandeza. / In this work we have studied the transport of particles in a magnetically confined plasma, due to electrostatic drift waves. The adopted model describes the trajectory of the guiding center of a particle in a uniform magnetic field perpendicular to a radial electric field perturbed by drift waves. We have used the Hamiltonian description for the guiding center trajectory. The drift produced by the radial electric field is represented by the integrable part of the Hamiltonian, while the other part contains periodic perturbations representing the fluctuations of the electric field associated to the drift waves. In this way we obtain chaotic orbits that determine the particles radial transport. For several balance conditions, we present the variation of the radial transport of particles with the amplitude of the perturbation. V/e have used the experimental data of the electrostatic turbulence measured in TBR-1 tokamak to verify, the validity of the model and the importance of the drift waves in the particles radial transport. We have also compared the values of the experimental diffusion coefficient with those provided by using the model, obtaining results with the same order of magnitude.

A emissão eletrociclotrônica -EEC- atualmente é um diagnóstico utilizado rotineiramente em tokamaks para a medida da temperatura de elétrons e também para a obtenção de informações sobre a função distribuição de elétrons em situações onde se têm populações de elétrons não térmicos. Neste trabalho discute-se, a partir de simulações, aspectos da emissão eletrociclotrônica no plasma do tokamak TCABR (R0=0,615m; a=0,18m; B0=1,2T; ne0 ~ 3 x 1019 m-3, Te0 ~ 500eV). A acessibilidade é examinada com base no modelo de plasmas frios. A partir dos modelos de plasmas tênue e dielétrico (Vlasov-Maxwell) discute-se a emissão e absorção da radiação-EC. São utilizados resultados da teoria das flutuações para a obtenção da emissividade a partir do tensor dielétrico e do tensor das correlações das microcorrentes. Os resultados numéricos são obtidos a partir de programas desenvolvidos em MAPLE e também de um código para emissão eletrociclotrônica. Verifica-se, para o TCABR, que, devido ao entrelaçamento com a terceira harmônica, a banda útil da segunda harmônica fica limitada ao intervalo 52-74 GHz ( ~ 70 % da coluna de plasma). As condições de acessibilidade para a segunda harmônica (modo X) restringem a densidade de pico a valores abaixo de ne0 = 2,3 x l019 m-3. Para plasmas térmicos, mostra-se espectros da emissão da radiação eletrociclotrônica para harmônicas 2 e 3, modos X e O, obtidos a partir de um método simples que também considera os efeitos da absorção. Resultados obtidos com um modelo dielétrico são também apresentados. Mostra-se a dependência radial da emissividade e do coeficiente de absorção, em ambos os modos para a segunda harmônica. A dependência radial do índice de refração verificando-se que este se desvia dos valores previstos pelo modelo de plasmas frios na região de ressonância. A largura da região ressonante é r2mm. A dependência radial da profundidade óptica, r (r), para os modos O e X, obtida com o modelo dielétrico é comparada com expressões obtidas da literatura verificando-se boa concordância entre os valores. Para ne0 = 2,0 X l019 m-3 tem-se ~ 2,5 no centro da coluna para m=2 (modo X). A partir do modelo dielétrico obteve-se o perfil radial da emissão eletrociclotrônica. Os resultados indicam que, para cenários típicos de plasma do TCABR, a segunda harmônica no modo X é a mais indicada para fins de diagnóstico. / The ECE radiation is nowdays routinely used as a diagnostic tool in tokamaks for electron temperature measurements and, also, for obtaining informations about the electron distribution function in plasmas with non-thermal electron population. Based in simulations, this work discuss aspects of the emission, absorption and propagation of the ECE waves in plasmas confined by the TCABR tokamak (R =0.615m; a=0.18m; B0 =1.2T; ne0 ~ 3 x 1019 m-3 ,Te0 ~ 500eV). The accessibility conditions for the TCABR is also discussed. Both the emission and absorption of ECE radiation are examined with the tenuous and dieletric (Vlasov-Maxwell) plasma models. R.esults obtained from the theory of fluctuations, based in the dielectric and microscopic current correlation tensors, are used to calculate the plasma emissivity. All the numerical results are obtained using computer programs, which were developed in MAPLE for this work, and also using a ECE code. Due to the harmonic overlapping, the detection of the second harmonic, in the lower field side, is limited to the 52-74 GHz band ( ~ 70% of the plasma column). The accessibility conditions for the second harmonic (X mode) restrict the maximum electron density to values bellow ne = 2.3 x 1019m-3. For thermal plasmas, and using a simple model that considers the radiation absorption, we obtained the emission spectra (X and O modes) for the harmonics 1, 2 and 3. The radial profiles of the emissivity and the absorption coefficient for the second and third harmonics are shown. The resonant layer width was calculated to be r 2mm. The radial dependence of the refraction index was determined and it is shown that it deviates from the values obtained with the cold plasma model in the resonant region. The radial profiles of the optical depth, (r), for the O and X modes, are also shown. The (r) profiles, obtained with the dielectric model and also using some expressions found in the literature, are observed to be in good agreement. In the center of the plasma, for the second harmonic X-mode, we obtained ~ 2.5(for ne = 2.0 x 1019 m-3). Finally, the radial profiles of the ECE emission, obtained with the dielectric model, is shown. The results of this study indicate that, for the typical TCABR plasma discharges, the second harmonic X-mode of the ECE radiation can be used as a diagnostic tool.

La turbulence est supposée être la source principale du transport anormal dans les tokamaks, qui conduit à la perte de chaleur beaucoup plus rapidement que celui prédit par la théorie néoclassique. Développement de diagnostics dédiés à la caractérisation de la turbulence du plasma est l'un des principaux enjeux de la fusion nucléaire pour contrôler les flux de particules et de transport d'énergie de la centrale électrique de fusion avenir. Les diagnostics basés sur la diffusion des micro-ondes induite par le plasma ont focalisé l'attention des chercheurs comme outils non perturbants, et nécessitant seulement un accès unique de faible encombrement au plasma. Le principe de base est lié à la phase de l'onde réfléchie qui contient des informations sur la position de la couche de coupure et les fluctuations de densité. La réflectométrie corrélation considérée ici, maintenant couramment utilisée dans les expériences, est la technique fournissant de l'information sur le plasma microturbulence. Bien que le diagnostic soit largement répandu l'interprétation des données reste une tâche assez compliquée. Ainsi, il a été supposé que la distance à laquelle la corrélation des deux signaux reçus à partir du plasma est supprimée est égale à la longueur de corrélation de turbulence. Toutefois, cette approche est erronée et introduit des erreurs énormes sur l'évaluation des paramètres de la microturbulence du plasma. L'objectif de cette thèse fut d'abord le développement d'une théorie analytique, puis de fournir une interprétation correcte des données de la réflectométrie de corrélation radiale (RCR) et enfin d'offrir aux chercheurs des formules simples pour extraire des informations sur les paramètres de turbulence à partir d'expériences utilisant la RCR. Des simulations numériques basées sur la théorie ont été utilisées pour prouver l'applicabilité de la méthode théorique, pour donner un aperçu aux expérimentateurs sur ses capacités et pour optimiser les paramètres du diagnostic lors de son utilisation en fonction des conditions de plasma. De plus, les résultats obtenus sur trois machines différentes sont soigneusement analysés et comparés avec les prédictions théoriques et des simulations numériques / Turbulence is supposed to be the main source of anomalous transport in tokamaks which leads to loss of heat much faster than as it is predicted by neoclassical theory. Development of plasma turbulence diagnostics is one of the key issues of nuclear fusion to control turbulent particles and energy transport in a future fusion power station. Diagnostics based on microwaves scattered from plasma attract attention of researchers as non-disturbing and requiring just a single access to plasma. The phase of the reflected wave contains information on the position of the cut-off layer and density fluctuations. Correlation reflectometry is now a routinely used technique providing information on plasma microturbulence. Although the diagnostics is widely spread data interpretation remains quite a complicated task. Thus, it was supposed that the distance at which the correlation of two signals received from plasma is suppressed is equal to the turbulence correlation length. However this approach is incorrect and introduces huge errors to determined plasma microturbulence parameters. The aim of this thesis is to develop an analytical theory, to give a correct interpretation of radial correlation reflectometry (RCR) data and to provide researchers with simple formulae for extracting information on microturbulence parameters from RCR experiments. Numerical simulations based on the theory prove applicability of this theoretical method and give an insight for experimentalists on its capability and on optimized diagnostic parameters to use. Furthermore the results obtained on three different machines are carefully analyzed and compared with theoretical predictions and numerical simulations as well

O objetivo do presente estudo é a procura de evidências da presença de modos GAM nas descargas do tokamak TCABR, em distintos regimes de operação. As descargas selecionadas foram classicadas segundo a maneira de obter a melhora no connamento do plasma. Nós zemos essa procura nas descargas ôhmicas com incremento espontâneo da densidade do plasma, em descargas onde o plasma foi perturbado externamente pela injeção de ondas de Alfvén e pela alteração do campo elétrico radial via eletrodo de bias. Por causa da natureza eletrostática da oscilação GAM, nas descargas selecionadas foi relevante a presença das sondas eletrostáticas (conhecidas também como sondas de Langmuir). As bobinas de Mirnov foram importantes para identicar as oscilaçes MHD. Diversos métodos de análise espectral e estatístico foram usados na análise dos sinais experimentais como ajuda para identicar os modos GAM. Os métodos usados foram: correlação, espectro de auto-potência, espectro de potência cruzado, coerência e densidade espectral em número de onda e frequência. Para as bobinas de Mirnov, só o espectro de autopot ência foi usado. Os resultados da análise realizada nas descargas com crescimento espontâneo da densidade e nas descargas aquecidas com ondas de Alfvén, não mostram nenhuma presença de GAMs. Nessas descargas somente ocorreu um pequeno incremento na correlação que foi causado pela atividade MHD. Para as descargas com bias, a análise mostra a presença de um modo de f 40KHz, modo que não se observa nas bobinas de Mirnov e que tem simetria poloidal e toroidal. / The goal of the present study is to search for evidences of the presence of GAM modes in plasmas discharges of the TCABR tokamak at dierent operational regimes. The selected discharges were classied according to the way used to obtain plasma improvement of connement. We perform this search in pure ohmic discharges with a spontaneous increment of the plasma density and in discharges where the plasma was externally perturbed by the injection of Alfvén waves and by electrostatic edge biasing. Given the electrostatic nature of the GAM oscillation, in the selected discharges were relevant the presence of electrostatic probes (also known as Langmuir probes). The signals from Mirnov coils was important too, for identify the MHD oscillations. Several statistical and spectral methods were used to analyze the experimental signals in order to helps the identication of the GAM modes, correlation, auto-power spectra, cross-power spectra, coherence and spectral density in wave number and frequency (S(k; f)). For the Mirnov coil just auto-power spectra was used. The results of the analysis performed on the discharges with spontaneous increase of density and for those with Alfvén heating did not show any presence of GAMs. There was just an few increment of the correlation but it was due to the MHD activity. For the discharges with edge biasing, the analysis shows the presence of a f 40kHz mode that was not present in the Mirnov coil and that has toroidal and poloidal symmetry.

L' Imagerie médicale par Résonance Magnétique (IRM) constitue un outil puissant pour le diagnostic et le suivi de pathologies dans le cadre des modèles développés sur petit animal en neurosciences. Cette application requiert une haute résolution spatiale et un Rapport Signal à Bruit(RSB) élevé, rendus possibles par l’utilisation d’un haut champ magnétique (7 T) et d’une antenne miniature à forte sensibilité, implantée à proximité de la zone d’intérêt. Le design monolithique de l’antenne, appelé Résonateur Multi-tours à Lignes de Transmission (RMLT), permet la miniaturisation en dessous du centimètre et sa réalisation par les technologies de microfabrication en salle blanche.Afin de réduire l’aspect invasif de l’implantation, l’antenne a été réalisée sur support souple :FEP Téflon® ou PDMS. Pour résoudre les problèmes d’adhérence liés à ces matériaux polymères, des traitements plasmas spécifiques ont été mis en œuvre pour le FEP Téflon® tandis qu’un procédé de transfert de motifs dédié au PDMS a été élaboré. Outre la fiabilité mécanique, l’épaisseur du revêtement PDMS assurant la bio compatibilité de l’antenne a été optimisée pour limiter le couplage diélectrique avec les tissus et ainsi conserver des caractéristiques électromagnétiques appropriées à l’IRM à 7 T lorsque l’antenne est implantée. L’ensemble de ces travaux a permis la réalisation des premières images du cerveau du rat acquises in vivo avec une micro-antenne souple implantée. Ces images ont démontré un RSB amélioré d’un facteur 5, comparées à celles acquises avec une antenne commerciale quadrature. D’autres applications et perspectives dans le domaine biomédical sont ouvertes par ces travaux comme des capteurs pour la détermination des propriétés diélectriques des tissus, et des microbobines et des capteurs de pression intégrés dans les canaux microfluidiques. / Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a powerful tool for the diagnosis and the monitoring of diseases in the frame of research models developed on small animal in neurosciences. This application requires a high spatial resolution and a high Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) using a high magnetic field (7 T) and a highly sensitive miniaturized coil, implanted near the interest area. The coilmonolithic design, called Multi-turn Transmission Lines Resonator (MTLR), allows theminiaturization below the centimeter scale and the clean-room technology. To reduce the invasive aspect of implantation, the coil was fabricated on a flexible substrate: FEP Teflon® or PDMS. To overcome adhesion issues related to these polymers, specific plasma treatments were applied to FEPTeflon® while a transfer process dedicated to PDMS was developed. Besides mechanical reliability, the thickness of the PDMS coating ensuring the coil biocompatibility, was optimized to limit the dielectric coupling with tissues and thus to keep suitable electromagnetic characteristics for 7 T MRI when the coil is implanted. This work allowed the achievement of the first images of the rat brain acquired in vivo using an implanted soft coil. These images have shown a 5-fold enhanced SNRcompared with the ones acquired using a commercial quadrature coil. Other applications in the biomedical field are open by this work: sensors for the dielectric characterization of tissues, integrated microcoils and pressure sensors in microfluidic channels.

La métrologie des nanoparticules est devenue un enjeu scientifique et industriel capital pour pouvoir contrôler les caractéristiques des nano-objets (taille, densité, etc.) dans les procédés industriels tant pour la qualité des produits fabriqués que pour la protection des personnes et de l’environnement. Il est important, par conséquent, de trouver des méthodes de caractérisation innovantes et simples à mettre en oeuvre. L’objectif de ce travail de recherche fût de développer et d’optimiser des solutions pour caractériser des nanoparticules en voie sèche à l’aide d’un plasma (favorisant la désagglomération de l’échantillon de poudres à étudier). La présence de nanoparticules modifiant sensiblement les caractéristiques électriques du plasma, nous avons, dans un premier temps, développé un diagnostic basé sur la caractérisation électrique de la décharge et du plasma. Cette méthode nous renseignant sur la taille et la densité moyenne des nanoparticules. Puis, dans un second temps, nous avons développé un diagnostic basé sur la diffusion multi-angle de la lumière laser, nous permettant d’obtenir, là aussi, la taille et la densité moyenne des nanoparticules présent dans le plasma mais également leur indice de réfraction. Nous nous sommes, enfin, intéressés à la sédimentation assistée par plasma permettant d’obtenir la distribution en taille des nanoparticules, en l’optimisant. La corrélation de ces trois diagnostics nous donne, donc, un diagnostic efficace et fiable permettant la caractérisation en taille, en densité et en propriétés optiques des nanoparticules piégées dans le plasma. / Dust nanoparticles metrology has become a major scientific and industrial issue in order to control the characteristics of nano-objects (size, density, etc.). For industrial interests it concerns processes control and monitoring, manufactured products quality, human being and environment protection. It is therefore, crucial to find innovative methods of characterization and easy to implement and to handle. The objective of this research program was to develop and optimize solutions for characterizing nanoparticles in dry process and environment using a plasma (promoting disagglomeration of the studied powders). The presence of nanoparticles substantially altering the electrical characteristics of the plasma, we have, at first, developed a diagnostic based on the electrical characteristics of the discharge and the plasma. This method allows the determination the average nanoparticles size and concentration trapped in the plasma gas phase. Then, in a second step, we developed a diagnostic based on multi-angle laser light scattering, allowing us to get the size and the average density of the nanoparticles in the plasma, but also their refractive index. We finally focused our interest on the optimization of the plasma-assisted sedimentation of nanoparticles to obtain their size distribution especially for particles having sizes below 10 nm. The correlation of these three diagnostics gives us, so an efficient and reliable diagnostic for the global characterization in terms of size, density and optical properties of nanoparticles trapped in the plasma.

Campos magnéticos de intensidade $\\sim \\mu$G são observados tanto em nossa galáxia, quanto em galáxias com alto desvio para o vermelho (\\emph{z}), onde o dínamo $\\alpha-\\Omega$ não deveria ter tempo para produzi-lo. Por conseguinte, uma origem primordial é indicada. Foi proposto que os campos primordiais surgiram em várias eras: durante a inflação, na transição de fase eletrofraca, na transição de fase quark hádron (TFQH), durante a formação dos primeiros objetos e durante a reionização. Nós sugerimos aqui, que estes campos magnéticos observados em galáxias através de medidas de rotação Faraday, têm sua origem em flutuações eletromagnéticas que naturalmente ocorreram no plasma quente e denso, existente logo após a TFQH. Nós evoluímos os campos previstos por nosso modelo até a época atual. O tamanho da região de coerência do campo magnético aumenta devido à fusão de regiões menores. Campos magnéticos de $\\sim 10 \\mu$G sobre regiões comóveis de $\\sim 1$ pc foram encontrados para \\emph{z} $\\sim 10$. Investigamos a amplificação destes campos sementes pelo dínamo turbulento em protogaláxias. A taxa de amplificação devido à um vórtice turbulento de raio $L$ com velocidade circular $V$ é da ordem de $V/L$. Enquanto o modelo padrão de dínamo tem um tempo de amplificação para um disco galáctico típico de $\\sim 10^{9}$ anos, o dínamo turbulento de pequena escala tem uma taxa de amplificação de $\\sim 10^{7}$ anos. Usamos as equações não-lineares para evolução da correlação magnética de forma a avaliar a evolução da amplificação destes campos na protogaláxia. Vários autores sugeriram uma origem gravitacional para os campos magnéticos em objetos celestes em rotação. Isto foi motivado em parte pela conjectura Schuster-Blackett (S-B), onde se propõe que os campos magnéticos em planetas e estrelas surgem devido à sua rotação. Neste cenário, correntes de massa neutra geram campos magnéticos, implicando na existência de um acoplamento entre os campos gravitacional e magnético. Nós também investigamos a possibilidade da conjectura S-B ser a origem dos intensos campos magnéticos em magnetares e \\emph{gamma ray bursts}. Além disso, estudamos a influência da pressões não térmicas, na determinação da massa de aglomerados de galáxias, usando dados públicos do XMM-Newton para 5 aglomerados de Abell. A pressão não térmica considerada aqui, é composta pelas componentes magnética e turbulenta. Nós consideramos estas duas componentes na equação do equilíbrio hidrostático e comparamos as estimativas de massa total, com os valores obtidos sem estas componentes. / Magnetic fields of intensities $\\sim \\mu$G are observed both in our galaxy and in high redshift (\\emph{z}) galaxies, where a mean field dynamo would not had time to produce them. Therefore, a primordial origin is indicated. It has been suggested that magnetic fields were created at various primordial eras: during inflation, the electroweak phase transition, the quark-hadron phase transition (QHPT), during the formation of the first objects, and during reionization. We suggest here that the magnetic fields observed in galaxies by Faraday Rotation Measurements (FRMs), have their origin in the electromagnetic fluctuations that naturally occurred in the dense hot plasma that existed just after the QHPT. We evolve the predicted fields to the present time. The size of the region containing a coherent magnetic field increased due to the fusion of smaller regions. Magnetic fields (MFs) $\\sim 10 \\mu$G over a comoving $\\sim 1$ pc region are predicted at redshift \\emph{z} $\\sim 10$. The amplification of these seed fields by the turbulent dynamo in a protogalaxy is here investigated. The e-fold amplification time by a turbulent eddy of radius $L$ with a circular velocity $V$ is on the order of $L/V$. Whereas the standard dynamo for a typical disk galaxy has an e-fold amplification time $\\sim 10^{9}$ years, the small scale turbulent dynamo has an e-fold time $\\sim 10^{7}$ years. We use the non-linear evolution equations for the magnetic correlations in order to analyze the amplifications of these fields in protogalaxies. Various authors have suggested a gravitational origin of the magnetic fields in rotating celestial bodies. It has been motivated, in part, by the Schuster-Blackett (S-B) conjecture, which suggests that the magnetic fields in planets and stars arise due to their rotation. In this scenario, neutral mass currents generate magnetic fields, implying the existence of a coupling between gravitational and electromagnetic fields. In this work, we investigate the possibility that the S-B conjecture is the origin of the intense magnetic fields near rotating compact objects, in particular connected with magnetars and gamma ray bursts. We also studied the influence of non-thermal pressure on the cluster mass determination using public XMM-Newton archival data for 5 Abell clusters. The non-thermal pressure considered here, is composed of the magnetic and the turbulent components. We also take into account these two non-thermal components in the hydrostatic equilibrium equation, and we compare the total mass estimated with the values obtained without assuming them.

L'instrument AMBRE 1 (Active Monitor Box of Electrostatic Risks) est un spectromètre de mesure du plasma (ions positifs et électrons) composé de deux têtes de mesure qui a été lancé à bord du satellite Jason 3 en Janvier 2016. A travers la mesure du plasma thermique (énergies comprises entre ~0 et 35 keV) cet instrument permet, d'une part, de déterminer la charge électrostatique des satellites et les populations en étant à l'origine pour répondre à des enjeux opérationnels, et d'autre part, de caractériser les environnements plasma magnétosphériques avec des enjeux scientifiques. La réduction des caractéristiques physiques (poids, consommation électrique et encombrement) des instruments AMBRE est un enjeu clé dans le but de rendre son embarquement systématique sur les plateformes satellites (scientifiques comme commerciales) et ainsi étendre le réseau de ce type de mesures dans l'environnement terrestre. L'objectif de cette thèse porte sur la conception, le développement et la réalisation d'un prototype d'instrument AMBRE 2 répondant à ces enjeux, tout en améliorant les performances scientifiques. Cette nouvelle génération d'instrument repose sur l'utilisation d'une seule tête qui mesure les deux types de population de manière alternée dans le temps. L'étude de chaque sous-système d'AMBRE 2 a permis de trouver les meilleurs compromis permettant de mesurer les deux types de population tout en minimisant les ressources allouées à l'instrument. Un prototype a été réalisé et testé sous vide avec un canon à ions et un canon à électron courant octobre 2017 afin de valider son principe de fonctionnement. / The Active Monitor Box of Electrostatic Risks (AMBER) is a double-head thermal plasma (positive ions and electrons) electrostatic analyser that was launched onboard the Jason-3 spacecraft in January 2016. By measuring the thermal plasma (in the energy range ~0 - 45 keV) the instrument permits, on the one hand, to determine the spacecraft electrostatic charging and the populations at its origin with operational stakes, and, on the other hand, to characterize the magnetospheric plasma environments with scientific goals. Reducing the physical resources (weight, electric consumption, and volume) of the AMBRE line of instrument is key to a potential systematic embarkation onboard various platforms (scientific or commercial), thereby augmenting the constellation of such measurements in near-Earth space. The goal of the present thesis is to conceive, develop and build an AMBRE 2 instrument prototype that meets these goals while augmenting its scientific capabilities. This new generation of instrument relies on the use of a single head which alternatively measures ions and electrons. Each AMBRE 2 sub-system was studied and designed using the best trade-off solution between overall resources and capabilities. A prototype has been built and tested in a vacuum chamber with ion and electron beams in October 2017 in order to validate its functionality.

Plasmas seeded with solid particulates of nanometer to micron sizes (complex plasma systems) are a ubiquitous feature of intergalactic, interstellar and planetary environments but also of plasma processing applications or even fusion devices. Their novel aspects compared with ideal multi-component plasmas stem from (i) the large number of elementary charges residing on the grain surface, (ii) the variability of the charge over mass ratio of the dust component, (iii) the inherent openness and dissipative nature of such systems.   Their statistical description presents a major challenge; On one hand by treating dust grains as point particles new phase space variables must be introduced augmenting the classical Hamiltonian phase space, while the microphysics of interaction between the plasma and the grains will introduce additional coupling between the kinetic equations of each species, apart from the usual fine-grained electromagnetic field coupling. On the other hand complex plasma systems do not always exist in a gaseous state but can also condensate, i.e. form liquid, solid or crystalline states.   In this thesis we study gaseous partially ionized complex plasma systems from the perspective of the Klimontovich technique of second quantization in phase space. Initially, in regimes typical of dust dynamics. Starting from the Klimontovich equations for the exact phase space densities, theory deliverables such as the permittivity, the spectral densities of fluctuations and the collision integrals are implemented either for concrete predictions related to low frequency electrostatic waves or for diagnostic purposes related to the enhancement of the ion density and electrostatic potential fluctuation spectra due to the presence of dust grains. Particular emphasis is put to the comparison of the self-consistent kinetic model with multi-component kinetic models (treating dust as an additional massive charged species) as well as to the importance of the nature of the plasma particle source. Finally, a new kinetic model of complex plasmas (for both constant and fluctuating sources) is formulated. It is valid in regimes typical of ion dynamics, where plasma discreteness can no longer be neglected, and, in contrast to earlier models, does not require relatively large dust densities to be valid. / QC 20120316

<p>This licentiate thesis reports analytical results for the electrostatic response to a test charge moving through dusty plasma. Two particular cases for a slowly moving test charge, namely, grain size distribution and grain charging dynamics are considered. Analytical results for the delayed shielding of a test charge due to dynamical grain charging in dusty plasma are also reported. In the first case, a dusty plasma in thermal equilibrium and with a distribution of grain sizes is considered. A size distribution is assumed which decreases exponentially with the grain mass for large sizes and gives a simple smooth reduction for small sizes. The electrostatic response to a slowly moving test charge, using a second order approximation is found and the effects of collisions are also investigated. It turns out that for this particular size distribution, there is a remarkably simple result that the resulting effective distribution for the electrostatic response is a kappa (generalized Lorentzian) distribution. In the second case, we present an analytical model for the shielding of a slowly moving test charge in a dusty plasma with dynamical grain charging for cases both with and without the collision effects. The response potential is treated as a power series in test charge velocity. Analytical expressions for the response potential are found up to second order in test charge velocity. The first-order dynamical charging term is shown to be the consequence of the delay in the shielding due to the dynamics of the charging process. It is concluded that the dynamical charging of the grains in a dusty plasma enhances the shielding of a test charge. To clarify the physics, a separate study is made where the charging is approximated by using a time delay. The resulting potential shows the delayed shielding effect explicitly. The terms in the potential that depend on the charging dynamics involve a spatial shift given by the test charge velocity and the charging time. This kind of work has relevance both in space and astrophysical plasmas.</p>