The major contributions of space physics to fundamental physics and astrophysics include magnetic reconnection, collisionless shocks, particle acceleration, nonlinear plasma physics, and coherent generation of radio waves.
Research at LASP of these fundamental processes involves satellite data analysis, numerical simulations, and analytical modeling in a variety of space and astrophysical plasma environments. The space plasma group includes Prof. Robert Ergun (APS/LASP), Prof. Ellen Zweibel (APS), Prof. Dan Baker (APS/LASP), Prof. Fran Bagenal (APS), Prof. Nick Schneider (APS), Dr. Xinlin Li (LASP), Prof. Marty Goldman (Physics), Prof. Scott Parker (Physics), Prof. Mihaly Horanyi (Physics/LASP), Prof. Scott Robertson (Physics), and Dr. David Newman (Physics).
CU and LASP are leaders in research on nonlinear plasma structures known as "electron phase- space holes" with ten published articles over the last three years. The neasrby space environment in a unique laboratory in which to study nonlinear plasmas, including the processes mentioned above as well as beam-plasma interactions, double layers, turbulence, wave collapse, and kinetic nonlinearities. Ironically, the low densities in space plasmas are well suited to investigate plasma behavior to the smallest fundamental scales sizes (Debye length) which are very difficult to probe in laboratory plasmas. The small-scale nonlinear processes studied by space physicists are often the same as those addressed by the fusion and laboratory plasma community.
