Primary Convener:
Livadiotis, George, Princeton University, USA; glivadiotis@princeton.edu
Co-Conveners:
Elliott, Heather, Southwest Research Institute, USA; Heather.Elliott@swri.org
Cuesta, Manuel, Princeton University, USA; mecuesta@princeton.edu
Dialynas, Konstantinos, Academy of Athens, Greece; kdialynas@phys.uoa.gr
Space and astrophysical plasmas are inherently complex, far from thermal equilibrium, and governed by nonlinear interactions across multiple scales. Unlike classical particle systems that stabilize into Maxwellian distributions, collisionless and correlated plasmas exhibit non-Maxwellian behavior, most notably described by kappa distributions or their combinations. These distributions have become fundamental in space and astrophysical plasma research, with a solid theoretical foundation in non-extensive statistical mechanics and superstatistics. Understanding their statistical origin has opened new pathways for describing entropy in thermodynamics and information measures in non-equilibrium systems.
These plasmas exhibit a rich and multifaceted complexity arising from several intertwined physical processes. Their dynamical behavior is shaped by interactions among magnetic coherent structures, which drive anomalous diffusion and transport. Intermittent turbulence and multifractal scaling further reveal the stochastic and highly variable nature of plasma dynamics. Many space plasma systems also evolve toward self‑organized criticality, where local interactions can trigger large‑scale instabilities and avalanches. In addition, nonlinear particle–field interactions and fluctuating plasma environments contribute to the system’s overall complexity. Together, these phenomena highlight why space plasmas remain a challenging and fundamentally intriguing domain of astrophysical research.
The workshop focuses on emergent phenomena arising from plasma complexity—turbulence, shocks, magnetic reconnection, particle acceleration, and coupling processes—shaping environments from the solar wind and planetary magnetospheres to the heliosheath, and beyond, to the interstellar medium and galactic plasmas.
We welcome abstracts reporting on the progress of the following broad subject areas:
- Theory of Kappa Distributions and Statistical Framework:
Non-extensive statistical mechanics; Superstatistics; Connection with thermodynamics; Entropy and information measures; Temperature; Velocity-space anisotropy; Distributions with potential energy; Mechanisms generating kappa distributions.
- Effects on Plasma Processes, Dynamics, and Complexity:
Particle acceleration; Transport and diffusion; Plasma linear/nonlinear waves and instabilities; Shocks/discontinuities transition and conservation laws; Polytropic relations; Plasma interactions; Particle correlations; Coupling phenomena.
- Turbulence:
Alfvénic / compressible / Whistler / kinetic Alfvén - turbulence; Direct / Inverse / Dual - cascades; MHD / Kinetic - scales; Driven / Decaying / Intermittent - turbulence; Strong / weak - turbulence; Isotropic / Anisotropic - turbulence.
- Chaotic Phenomena, origin and diagnostics:
Nonlinear Wave–Particle Interactions; Magnetic field, Current Sheet & Vortex; Low/High-Dimensional Plasma; Chaotic Transport. Diagnostic tools: Lyapunov exponents/ Poincaré maps/ Fractal dimension analysis/ Phase-space attractors/ Bifurcation diagrams/ Intermittency measures/ Time-series analysis/ Power spectra & Structure functions/ Diffusion coefficients and random walk statistics/ Persistence.
- Space Science Applications: Heliospheric and Magnetospheric Plasmas:
Solar wind evolution and heating; Pickup ions; Inner and outer heliosheath structure; Termination shock physics; Planetary magnetospheres and ionospheres; Cometary plasma environments; Interstellar plasma interactions.
- Data Analyses, Simulations, and Applications in Space and Astrophysical Plasmas:
Solar / Stellar atmospheres; Flares / CMEs; Solar wind; Ionosphere; Terrestrial, planetary, and cometary magnetospheres; Heliosheath / interstellar / galactic / intergalactic plasmas.
- Go IMAP GO!
We will have a day devoted to Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) mission. Topics: Heliospheric Boundaries, Energetic Particle Acceleration, Energetic Neutral Atom (ENA) Imaging, Solar Wind–Interstellar Medium Interaction, Space Weather Monitoring, Suprathermal Particle Populations, Formation and Evolution of the Heliosphere, Very Local Interstellar Medium (VLISM) Characterization, Interstellar Dust Dynamics, Magnetic Field Mapping in Interplanetary Space, Pickup Ion Physics, Ultraviolet Glow and Solar Wind Modulation, Global ENA Ribbon Structure, Solar Wind Electron Dynamics, Energetic Ion Acceleration from Deep Space, Real‑Time Space Weather Observations, Global Heliospheric Imaging at Multiple Energies.
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We invite contributions that advance our understanding of complexity and emergent behavior in space and astrophysical plasmas. This workshop aims to foster interdisciplinary dialogue, connecting theory, observations, and simulations to address fundamental questions about non-equilibrium processes in the heliosphere and beyond. By bringing together experts in plasma physics, astrophysics, and statistical mechanics, we seek to identify new challenges and opportunities for future research.
Join us in exploring the frontiers of plasma complexity and its role in shaping cosmic environments !
The workshop will be held during the Sigma Phi 2026
International Conference on STATISTICAL PHYSICS (ΣΤΑΤΙΣΤΙΚΗ ΦΥΣΙΚΗ)
