Overview of current research activities in the Magnetized Plasma Research Laboratory (MPRL) collaborative research facility at Auburn University

The Magnetized Plasma Research Laboratory (MPRL) at Auburn University explores fundamental plasma and complex/dusty plasma phenomena covering a large parameter regime from unmagnetized plasmas to strongly magnetized plasmas with a mission to serve as an open access, multi-user collaborative research facility for the dusty plasma, basic plasma, and fusion relevant plasma communities. The centerpiece of the laboratory is the Magnetized Dusty Plasma Experiment (MDPX), a highly flexible plasma device with excellent diagnostic access to study the unique regime of high magnetic fields (up to 4 T), at relatively low density (~ 10¹⁵ – 10¹⁶ m^-3) and low electron (Te < 5 eV) and ion temperature (Ti < 0.05 eV). Other instruments include ALEXIS, a linear plasma device for simulating space plasma and basic plasma experiments, and a wide variety of “tabletop” scale unmagnetized, low temperature plasma devices. Here, we will summarize results from recent studies at MPRL such as pattern formation of filamentary structures at high magnetic fields, nanoparticle growth in plasmas, dust thermodynamics, using dust as a diagnostic, controlling dust charging and dynamics by externally applied UV light, dust acoustic waves at high magnetic field, development of new laser-based plasma diagnostics etc.