卷 100, 编号 1 (2023)

This issue includes articles devoted to the results of the work of the section “Experimental laboratory astrophysics and geophysics” of the National Center for Physics and Mathematics.

Laboratory simulation is an effective tool for studying astrophysical processes. The paper considers a scheme for simulating jets from young stellar objects by means of a plasma-focus device with application of an external poloidal magnetic field. The mechanisms of amplification of the poloidal magnetic field in the region where the plasma flow is formed by the conductive plasma sheath upon its compression toward the axis of the system up to values of ~100 kG are discussed. Magnetic probe measurements have shown that the value of the Bz component of the field also increases significantly in the plasma flow itself, while the direction of the field captured by the flow corresponds to the direction of the external applied field. An increase in the toroidal component of the magnetic field is also observed. It is concluded that this experiment quite accurately simulates the processes in young stellar objects, including accretion and the operation of the “central engine.”

Space dust and dusty (complex) plasma are one of the most common manifestations of matter in space. Non-atmospheric bodies of the Solar System, such as the Moon, asteroids, comets, some satellites of the planets, are directly affected by external factors of outer space—solar electromagnetic radiation, interplanetary plasma flows, cosmic rays, micrometeors. Under the influence of these factors, regolith is formed on the surface of bodies during geological epochs. Under the influence of impacts of high-speed micrometeors, dust particles of regolith scatter at different speeds. Most of them return to the surface, but some form dust clouds or lose their gravitational connection with the parent body. Under the action of solar radiation, the surface acquires an electric charge, and dust particles under certain conditions can break away from the regolith surface and levitate. Observational evidence of such dynamic phenomena has been recorded on the Moon and on some asteroids. The study of the physical processes responsible for the activation of dust particles and their dynamics is of great interest for fundamental science and practical purposes. The article discusses the main processes occurring under the influence of outer space factors on regolith, as a result of which dust particles move and a near-surface plasma-dust exosphere is formed. Unresolved issues are discussed. Methods and means of laboratory modeling in studying the activation and dynamics of dust particles are considered.

The problem of studying the limits of stability and mechanisms of adaptation of living systems to environmental parameters that vary over a wide range is briefly analyzed. The main attention is focused on the analysis of the electromagnetic environment and background radiation. These factors vary relatively little on the modern Earth, which leads to their insufficient knowledge. At the same time, they present serious challenges for future space missions. One of the main methods for studying the influence of such factors on living organisms is laboratory simulation. Previous experiments have demonstrated the need to develop a new laboratory setup, the requirements for the parameters of which are presented in this paper. In general, the setup will have a high potential for solving the problems of modeling the effect of astro-geophysical factors on the physiological state of living organisms and, in particular, the activity of photosynthesis in higher plants. The implementation of the proposed program of laboratory simulation experiments will allow us to advance in understanding the problems of life evolution, the mechanisms of the possible influence of solar activity on the biosphere, and studies of the role of the biosphere in global climate changes of planets at various time horizons.

A technique is described for achieving high accuracy (relative error up to ≈0.001%) for measuring the absolute wavelengths of the spectral lines of multiply charged ions with an average (Z = 17–25) by the nuclear charge, the spectra of which can be used for plasma diagnostics in laboratory astrophysics experiments. It is based on irradiation with subnanosecond laser pulses with an intensity of 1015–1016 W/cm2 targets with a multicomponent chemical composition, including atoms with both medium and low Z. The presence of the latter ensures the presence in the emission spectrum of the resulting laser plasma of lines of hydrogen-like ions used as references. An atomic-kinetic code was created, and the intensities of possible reference and investigated spectral lines were calculated. The principles of selecting the target material, the features of the implementation of the technique on the example of a focusing spectrometer with spatial resolution based on spherically curved mica and α-quartz crystals are considered, and specific parameters of spectrometer circuits and types of targets for precision measurement of the wavelengths of spectral lines of helium- and lithium-like ions with nuclear charges Z = 13–25 are given. The results obtained in this work will be used in the planning of fundamental X-ray spectral studies at the ELF laser facility being developed at MEPhI.

Problems associated with observations and interpretation of the physical mechanisms underlying the generation of hard electromagnetic radiation from lightning discharges are considered. A review of modern problems of understanding the nature of atmospheric flashes of gamma radiation from the Earth’s atmosphere is given. The results of orbital observations, in particular, on the Vernov satellite, are analyzed. The possibilities of orbital observations of atmospheric gamma-ray flashes on CubeSat spacecraft are discussed, and a description of the recording equipment is given. The technique of a laboratory experiment with long sparks, which simulates electrical discharges in thunderclouds, is considered.