A comparative study of density fluctuations on mm and Mpc scales

Abstract

We have in earlier work (Basse N P 2005, Phys. Lett. A vol. 340 p. 456) reported on intriguing similarities between density fluctuation power versus wavenumber on small (mm) and large (Mpc) scales. In this paper we expand upon our previous studies of small and large scale measurements made in fusion plasmas and using cosmological data, respectively. The measurements are compared to predictions from classical fluid turbulence theory. Both small and large scale data can be fitted to a functional form that is consistent with the dissipation range of turbulence. The comparable dependency of density fluctuation power on wavenumber in fusion plasmas and cosmology might indicate a common origin of these fluctuations.