Origin of space charge configurations in plasmas

Summary form only given. In this paper we present experimental results, proving that complex space charge configurations (CSCC) can be created in plasma by two procedures. Firstly, by driving the plasma away from thermodynamical equilibrium by an external controlled gradual injection of matter and energy. Under such conditions the CSCC is self-assembled after a succession of steps whose nature can be easy established (intermittent self-organization). Secondly, by a sudden injection of matter and energy. In this case the CSCC is formed by internal controlled, rapidly developed succession of steps, similar to those of the intermittent self-organization (cascading self-organization). Starting from the statement that self-organization always involves collective effects of quantum processes we present new arguments that models ignoring such phenomena are not appropriate for explaining pattern formation in plasmas as well as in other media.