Beginning at an introductory level, this text presents a thorough treatment of plasma physics, including an extensive discussion of its applications in thermonuclear fusion research. A novel feature of this book is its comprehensive description of the various concepts and formulas widely used in fusion theory based on the fundamental equations of the plasma fluid. The physics of fusion plasmas is explained mainly in relation to recent progress in tokamak research, but other plasma confinement schemes, such as stellarators and inertial confinement, are also described. The unique and systematic presentation will help readers to understand the overall structure of plasma theory and will facilitate access to more advanced literature on special topics.

This book offers the reader an overview of the basic approaches to the theoretical description of low-temperature plasmas, covering numerical methods, mathematical models and modeling techniques. The main methods of calculating the cross sections of plasma particle interaction and the solution of the kinetic Boltzmann equation for determining the transport coefficients of the plasma are also presented. The results of calculations of thermodynamic properties, transport coefficients, the equilibrium particle-interaction cross sections and two-temperature plasmas are also discussed. Later chapters consider applications, and the results of simulation and calculation of plasma parameters in induction and arc plasma torches are presented. The complex physical processes in high-frequency plasmas and arc plasmas, the internal and external parameters of plasma torches, near-electrode processes, heat transfer, the flow of solid particles in plasmas and other phenomena are considered. The book is intended for professionals involved in the theoretical study of low-temperature plasmas and the design of plasma torches, and will be useful for advanced students in related areas.

This book is written as a senior undergraduate and graduate textbook of theoretical plasma physics; topics include Boltzmann equation, two-fluid equations, magnetohydrodynamics, Vlasov-Maxwell Plasma, absolute and convective instabilities, fundamental kinetic theory, Lenard-Balescu equation, electric fluctuation, plasma electrodynamics and causality, nonlinear waves, inverse scattering method, surface waves, and dusty plasma. It also includes special topics like parametric instabilities and kinetic theory of surface waves in a plasma slab.The development of theory is presented through gentle mathematical steps through easy and straightforward demonstration. The readers will be able to appreciate the beauty of mathematical analysis in connection with theoretical plasma physics.

This book is an introduction to the field of modern plasma physics theory. The topics have been carefully chosen by the authors after many years teaching a graduate course in this subject. The book contains a comprehensive description of three widely used models in plasma physics: one-particle, hydro-dynamic and kinetic. The original results concerning fluctuation theory, nonlinear wave interaction and plasma turbulence have been obtained within the framework of the kinetic approach. This volume will be of particular interest to graduate students and researchers studying plasma physics as well as statistical physics and magnetohydrodynamics. It will also be of use to students and researchers in physical astronomy, particularly in other space plasma physics such as solar physics and stellar structure. The elements of the kinetic theory of gases.

Plasma Physics presents an authoritative and wide-ranging pedagogic study of the 'fourth' state of matter. The constituents of the plasma state are influenced by electric and magnetic fields, and in turn also produce electric and magnetic fields. This fact leads to a rich array of properties of the plasma state. A basic knowledge of mathematics and physics is preferable to appreciate fully this text. The author uses examples throughout, many taken from astrophysical phenomena, to explain concepts. In addition, problem sets at the end of each chapter will serve to reinforce key points.

TO THE SECOND EDITION In the nine years since this book was first written, rapid progress has been made scientifically in nuclear fusion, space physics, and nonlinear plasma theory. At the same time, the energy shortage on the one hand and the exploration of Jupiter and Saturn on the other have increased the national awareness of the important applications of plasma physics to energy production and to the understanding of our space environment. In magnetic confinement fusion, this period has seen the attainment 13 of a Lawson number nTE of 2 x 10 cm -3 sec in the Alcator tokamaks at MIT; neutral-beam heating of the PL T tokamak at Princeton to KTi = 6. 5 keV; increase of average ß to 3%-5% in tokamaks at Oak Ridge and General Atomic; and the stabilization of mirror-confined plasmas at Livermore, together with injection of ion current to near field-reversal conditions in the 2XIIß device. Invention of the tandem mirror has given magnetic confinement a new and exciting dimension. New ideas have emerged, such as the compact torus, surface-field devices, and the EßT mirror-torus hybrid, and some old ideas, such as the stellarator and the reversed-field pinch, have been revived. Radiofrequency heat ing has become a new star with its promise of dc current drive. Perhaps most importantly, great progress has been made in the understanding of the MHD behavior of toroidal plasmas: tearing modes, magnetic Vll Vlll islands, and disruptions.

Provides a complete introduction to plasma physics as taught in a 1-year graduate course. Covers all important topics of plasma theory, omitting no mathematical steps in derivations. Covers solitons, parametric instabilities, weak turbulence theory, and more. Includes exercises and problems which apply theories to practical examples. 4 of the 10 chapters do not include complex variables and can be used for a 1-semester senior level undergraduate course.