Fourth state of matter

Winston H. Bostick was an American physicist known for his significant contributions to the study of plasma, often referred to as the “fourth state of matter.” His work in this field was both innovative and influential, particularly through his experiments which demonstrated unique characteristics of plasma that had not been fully appreciated before.

Experiments and Discoveries:

• Plasma Gun and Plasmoids: One of Bostick’s most notable contributions was the development of what was colloquially known as a “plasma gun.” In 1956, he created a setup where a high-voltage, high-current electric source vaporized titanium wires in a vacuum chamber, producing a puff of plasma. This experiment was pivotal because it led to the discovery of “plasmoids,” structures within plasma that were coherent and could maintain their identity over time. Bostick described plasmoids as force-free, charge-carrying “strings” or cylinders elongated in the direction of a magnetic field. These structures had measurable magnetic moments, translational speeds, and could interact with each other in ways that suggested complex plasma dynamics.
• Simulation of Astrophysical Processes: Bostick’s work extended into simulating cosmic phenomena in the laboratory. He proposed that the behavior of plasmas in his experiments could be analogous to phenomena observed in space, like solar prominences or the behavior of galaxies. This was groundbreaking because it provided a tangible way to study cosmic events that are otherwise observed from a great distance. His experiments indicated that repulsive mutual induction between neighboring galaxies could simulate the Hubble expansion, offering insights into cosmology through plasma physics.
• Public Recognition: His work on plasma was so significant that it made headlines. In December 1956, the New York Times featured his experiments on the front page with the headline “Physicist ‘Creates’ Universe in a Test Tube,” highlighting how his experiments offered clues to the creation of the cosmos.

Impact and Legacy:

• Bostick’s research helped to establish foundational understanding of plasma behavior, which is crucial for various fields including fusion energy research, astrophysics, and space science. His work on plasmoids has implications for understanding phenomena like ball lightning or magnetic bubbles in the magnetosphere.
• Although some of his later ideas, like his model of electrons composed of helical plasmoids, were not accepted by mainstream science, his initial contributions to plasma physics remain highly regarded.

Bostick’s career was characterized by a blend of theoretical insight and experimental prowess, making significant strides in understanding plasma, a state of matter that dominates the visible universe but is less common on Earth. His experiments were among the first to show how plasma could exhibit complex, structured behavior, thus earning plasma its reputation as the fourth state of matter.