Eric J. Lund

Research Scientist II, Space Science Center, University of New Hampshire
S.B., 1989, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Ph.D., 1996, Dartmouth College

Research Interests:

Interaction between waves and particles in space plasmas

One of the fundamental goals of space physics is the study of energy transfer in plasmas. This energy can be present in the constituent particles of the plasma, various waves that may exist in the plasma, and in the configuration of the magnetic field in the plasma. There are many ways, not all of which are understood, for the particles of the plasma to acquire energy in such a way that the plasma is unstable to certain waves, which obtain their energy from the unstable particle distribution. These waves, in turn, dissipate and give their energy to the particles. This back-and-forth energy transfer plays a key role in the dynamics of several regions, including the bow shock and the auroral zone.

Current Projects

Cluster 2

We have built and are calibrating four instruments called CODIF (COmposition and DIstribution Function). Each instrument, which is part of the CIS (Cluster Ion Spectrometry) package, will fly on one of the four satellites which will comprise the Cluster 2 mission. Launch is scheduled for summer 2000.

Fast Auroral SnapshoT explorer (FAST)

Our group works with the TEAMS (Time-of-flight Energy Angle Mass Spectrometer) instrument on FAST. This instrument measures 3-D distributions of protons, alpha particles, helium ions, and oxygen ions as well as mass spectra of minor ions in the plasma.

My research is focusing on ion conics: ions which are accelerated transversely to the geomagnetic field and then convert some of their energy to motion along the field as they move into regions where the magnetic field is weaker. This work has been published in Geophysical Research Letters and elsewhere.

Recent Past Projects

Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE)

SEPICA High-Resolution FanOur group has built the Solar Energetic Particle Ionic Charge Analyzer (SEPICA) instrument on ACE. In the photo below, I am holding the high-resolution collimator and electrostatic analyzer for SEPICA in the deflection and imaging test configuration. The engineering model high voltage supply, which is designed to supply a nominal 30 kV to the center deflection plate of the electrostatic analyzer, is mounted above the fan. (Photograph by Rick Miller, February 1996).

 

Contact Information:

Phone: (603) 862-0758
Fax: (603) 862-0311
E-mail: Eric.Lund@unh.edu
Snailmail:
Space Science Center
Morse Hall
University of New Hampshire
Durham, NH 03824

Recent Publications:

Full publication list
  1. Lund, E. J., J. LaBelle, R. B. Torbert, K. Liou, W. Peria, C. A. Kletzing, M. C. Kelley, S. Baker, F. Primdahl, H. C. Stenbaek-Nielsen, A. Ranta, G. Haerendel, and H. U. Frey, Observation of electromagnetic oxygen cyclotron waves in a flickering aurora, Geophys. Res. Lett. 22, 2465, 1995. [Abstract | Key Figure | Request Reprint]
  2. Lund, E. J., and J. LaBelle, On the generation and propagation of auroral electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves, J. Geophys. Res. 102, 17241, 1997. [Abstract | Download Zip File]
  3. Lund, E. J., M. L. Trimpi, E. H. Gewirtz, R. H. Cook, and J. LaBelle, The plasma frequency tracker: An instrument for probing the frequency structure of narrow-band MF/HF electric fields, in Measurement Techniques in Space Plasmas: Fields, p. 169, American Geophysical Union, Washington, 1998. [Abstract | Request Reprint]
  4. Lund, E. J., E. Möbius, L. Tang, L. M. Kistler, M. A. Popecki, D. M. Klumpar, W. K. Peterson, E. G. Shelley, B. Klecker, D. Hovestadt, M. Temerin, R. E. Ergun, J. P. McFadden, C. W. Carlson, F. S. Mozer, R. C. Elphic, R. J. Strangeway, C. A. Cattell, and R. F. Pfaff, FAST observations of preferentially accelerated He+ in association with electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves, Geophys. Res. Lett. 25, 2049, 1998. [Read It Online | Abstract | Key Figure | Request Reprint]
  5. Lund, E. J., E. Möbius, D. M. Klumpar, L. M. Kistler, M. A. Popecki, B. Klecker, R. E. Ergun, J. P. McFadden, C. W. Carlson, and R. J. Strangeway, Direct comparison of transverse ion acceleration mechanisms in the auroral region at solar minimum, J. Geophys. Res. 104, 22801, 1999. [Abstract | Key Figure | Request Reprint]

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