Guest Editorial 7th Triennial Special Issue on Images in Plasma Science

IT IS our pleasure to present the Fifth Triennial Special Issue on Images in Plasma Science. This collection of compelling images aims to acknowledge the important role that visualization plays in plasma science. Visualization is not only an effective and efficient means of transmitting vast amounts of data and complex concepts but is also an aesthetic means to call attention and attract new membership to plasma science through the beauty of these images. We had an enthusiastic response from the plasma community and received nearly 300 submissions of unique images of plasma phenomena to the Special Issue. These papers cover a broad range of traditional plasma topics including high-temperature plasmas, laser-produced plasmas, plasma material processing, plasma lighting and display devices, plasma-surface interaction, plasma diagnostics, and astrophysical plasmas. The Special Issue also emphasizes the increasing interest in atmospheric and high-pressure discharges: from conventional corona discharges to discharges in and around liquids, and from dielectric barrier discharges with a rich variety of discharge patterns to plasma applications in biology and medicine. The tools used in these studies are just as varied as the images they produced and include laser and X-ray diagnostics, digital and analog photography, computer simulations, electrical and magnetic probes, and optical emission spectroscopy. These images focus our vision to the tiny dimensions of microplasmas and broaden our vision to the expanse of ionosphere and space plasmas. The temporal evolution of plasma phenomena captured in these images ranges from a few picoseconds exposure times to several days. The criteria for accepting contributions to the Special Issue were that they not only discuss a significant physics issue but also that the images be aesthetically pleasing. Although limited to only two journal pages, these papers contain sufficient detail about the relevant devices, processes, and operating conditions to be educational as well as aesthetic contributions. It is our hope that this issue (along with papers appearing in the four previous Special Issues) can be used as a resource for public education on the importance of plasmas. Illustrated with stunning images, which are mostly in color, the Special Issue offers a remarkable link between plasma science and art.