An Introduction to the Wheaton Space Plasma Physics Laboratory (WSPPL)

The WSPPL combines experimental efforts at Wheaton College and mid-scale collaborative research facilities elsewhere including West Virginia University (WVU). At Wheaton, a new linearly magnetized plasma, called the Wheaton Linear Plasma Device (WLPD), is being developed for undergraduate education and research into the physics of whistler-mode waves in Earth's radiation belts. To achieve overdense plasmas relevant to this region of space, the WLPD will use a helicon source. HELIC simulations and analytical theory have been used to design a helicon antenna and matching network, and first plasma is expected soon. Work at WVU is focused on interactions between whistler-mode waves and electrons. WVU's PHAse Space MApping (PHASMA) device provides the plasma environment for a new antenna array designed to launch both parallel and oblique whistler-mode waves. PHASMA's Thomson scattering system will provide high-precision measurements of the electron velocity distribution to resolve interactions of electrons with whistler-mode waves. Initial results from the antenna array will be presented including dispersion and polarization of parallel and oblique whistler-mode waves.