Kappa Distributions and Statistical Mechanics Workshop

Classical particle systems reside at thermal equilibrium with their velocity distribution function stabilized into a Maxwell distribution. On the contrary, collisionless and correlated particle systems, such as space plasmas, are characterized by a non-Maxwellian behavior, typically described by the so-called kappa distributions. Empirical kappa distributions have become increasingly widespread across space and plasma physics. However, a breakthrough in the field came with the connection of kappa distributions with the solid background of non-extensive statistical mechanics. Understanding the statistical origin of kappa distributions was a cornerstone of theoretical developments and applications.

We welcome abstracts reporting on the progress of the following three broad subject areas :
Theory of Kappa Distributions and Statistical Framework: Non-extensive statistical mechanics; Superstatistics; Connection with thermodynamics; Entropy and information measure; Concept of temperature; Anisotropy of velocity space; Distributions with potential energy.

Effects on Plasma Processes, Dynamics, and Complexity: Particle acceleration; Transport and diffusion; Plasma linear/nonlinear waves and instabilities; Shocks and Rankine–Hugoniot conditions; Polytropic relations; Plasma interactions; Particle correlations; Coupling phenomena; Turbulence and chaos; Mechanisms generating kappa distributions.

Data Analyses, Simulations, and Applications in Space Plasmas: Solar/Stellar atmospheres; Flares/CMEs; Solar wind; Ionosphere; Terrestrial, planetary, and cometary magnetospheres; Heliosheath and interstellar plasmas; Nebular, galactic and intergalactic plasmas.