LAUSR

The polytropic index of electrons in a magnetized plasma is experimentally investigated in the presence of heating, internal energy, and anisotropic work done, incorporating the effective dimensionality arising from temperature anisotropy. The study is performed in a plasma confined by a permanent cylindrical dipole magnet using a compact device. The measurements clearly demonstrate localized regions of superadiabatic electrons due to particle acceleration and energization through non-resonant heating processes. In regions where the work done dominates over the heating, the plasma electrons behave adiabatically. The realization of superadiabaticity is universal where heating dominates the work done and has broader implications for energy exchange processes in space and astrophysically relevant plasmas.