Kappa Distributions From Observational Evidences via Controversial Predictions to a Consistent Theory of Nonequilibrium Plasmas

This book presents recent results on the modelling of space plasmas with Kappa distributions and their interpretation. Hot and dilute space plasmas most often do not reach thermal equilibrium, their dynamics being essentially conditioned by the kinetic effects of plasma particles, i.e., electrons, protons, and heavier ions. Deviations from thermal equilibrium shown by these plasma particles are often described by Kappa distributions. Although well-known, these distributions are still controversial in achieving a statistical characterization and a physical interpretation of non-equilibrium plasmas.

The results of the Kappa modelling presented here mark a significant progress with respect to all these aspects and open perspectives to understanding the high-resolution data collected by the new generation of telescopes and spacecraft missions.

The book is directed to the large community of plasma astrophysics, including graduate students and specialists from associated disciplines, given the palette of the proposed topics reaching from applications to the solar atmosphere and the solar wind, via linear and quasilinear modelling of multi-species plasmas and waves within, to the fundamental physics of nonequilibrium plasmas.

Part I: Introduction and Motivation.- 1. Introduction and Motivation.- Part II: New and Refined Observational Evidences of Kappa Distributions in Space Plasmas.- 2. Suprathermal Populations and Their Effects in Space Plasmas: Kappa vs. Maxwellian.- 3. Electron Kappa Distributions in the Solar Wind: Cause of the Acceleration or Consequence of the Expansion?.- 4. Diagnostics of Kappa Distributions from Optically Thin Solar Spectra.- 5. Non-thermal and Kappa Distributions in Solar Flare Radiative Signatures.- Part III: Physics Behind and Significance of Kappa Distributions in Plasma Astrophysics.- 6. Kappa Distribution Function: From Empirical to Physical Concepts.- 7. Kinetic Models of Wave-Electron Interaction in the Solar Corona and Wind.- 8. On ‘Isobaric and Isentropic’ Distribution Functions of Plasma Particles in the Heliosheath.- 9. Advanced Numerical Tools for Studying Waves and Instabilities in Kappa Distributed Plasmas.- 10. Advanced Interpretation ofWaves andInstabilities in Space Plasmas.- Part IV: Fundamental Aspects, Generalized Kappa Distributions, and Their Implications.- 11. Mathematical and Physical Characteristics of the Kappa Velocity Distribution.- 12. Non-equilibrium Statistical Mechanics of Electron Kappa Distribution.- 13. Regularized Kappa Distributions: Linear Dispersion and Stability Theory.- 14. Kappa Distributions and Entropy.- 15. From Standard Kappa to a Regularized Kappa, or Even More Generalized Kappa “Cookbook”.- Part V: Concluding Remarks and Future Perspectives.- 16. Kappa Distributions: Concluding Remarks and Perspectives.

M. Lazar: Visiting Professor at the Centre for Mathematical Plasma Astrophysics, KU Leuven (2016-present), PhD degree in Physics – 2003, Research Associate at Theoretical Physics IV, Ruhr University Bochum (2010 – present), Refereed publications in plasma physics and astrophysics: approx. 115, H-index 24, Editor: ‘’Exploring the solar wind ” (Intechopen, doi: 10.5772/2079), Editor Associate with Frontiers: Physics, Space Physics, Reviewer for: Astron. Astrophys., Astrophys. J., Solar Phys., Phys. Plasmas, Planet. Space Science, Astrophys. Space Science, J. Geophys. Res., etc.

H. Fichtner: PhD degree in Physics – 1991, Habilitation 2000, Research Associate at Department of Physics and Astronomy, Univ. of Calgary, Canada (1992-1993), Research Associate at the Institute of Physical Science and Technology, Univ. of Maryland, USA (1994-1995), Research Associate at the Institute for Astrophysics and Extraterrestrial Research, Univ. Bonn, Germany (1996-1997), ResearchScientist and Docent, Institute of Theoretical Physics IV, Ruhr-Univ. Bochum (1998-present), more than 140 refereed publications, H-index 28, Reviewer for: Astron. Astrophys., Astrophys. J., Nature Astronomy, Solar Phys., Phys. Plasmas, Planet. Space Science, Astrophys. Space Science, J. Geophys. Res., etc.