Laboratory simulation of the global magnetospheric effects caused by current and waves generation during near-Earth plasma releases

Summary form only given, as follows. A problem of polarized plasmoid motion transverse to the Earth´s magnetic field and its interaction with the magnetosphere and ionosphere through current and MHD-waves generation is an old one that is still open. This problem has arisen because of active experiments with plasma releases and explosions (Starfish) in the geoplasma and recently by the question of the environmental impact of possible explosive defense methods against the hazardous asteroids. A number of different theories have been proposed and estimates of energy transfer from a moving plasmoid differ from each other by several orders of magnitude. But the present database doesn´t allow one to choose a model or its applicability. A laboratory simulation experiment is proposed. A scheme includes a dipole magnetic source, a belt of trapped background plasma as the magnetosphere, a dense gas cloud as the ionosphere and plasma jet of sub-alfvenic velocity (all three mediums are laser-produced). As the first step the formation and directed motion of long-lived plasma structures has been observed. A possibility of creating a trapped plasma belt by means of laser produced plasma has been established. The interaction of a plasma cloud with a dipole magnetic field has been investigated by means of short-time imaging and magnetic measurements. The results on the dynamics of an expanding plasma and its polarization as well as on the magnetic cavity and other magnetic disturbances have been obtained. In the presence of background plasma a generation of whistler waves has been detected.