Advances in Plasma Physics Research

This book presents state-of-the-art analysis of developments in plasma physics.

Advances in Plasma Physics Research

This book presents a thorough treatment of plasma physics, beginning at an introductory level and proceeding to an extensive discussion of its applications in thermonuclear fusion research. 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.

Il libro copre argomenti fondamentali nella fisica dei plasmi quali onde nei plasmi, instabilità e processi non lineari. Dopo una approfondita descrizione teorica vengono anche evidenziate osservazioni da satelliti di questi fenomeni in plasmi spaziali quali la ionosfera terrestre, la magnetosfera e il vento solare. L’ultima parte del libro tratta le interazioni di corpi carichi con un plasma. Nel caso di misure da satellite abbiamo a che fare con un campo magnetico esterno e col moto del satellite nel plasma, Non essendoci una teoria esatta in queste circostante vengono usati metodi approssimati che tuttavia conducono a delle stime credibili della corrente raccolta. Anche per questi argomenti le teorie presentate sono raffrontate a misure di satellite e in particolare ai risultati della missione TSS (Tethered Satellite System).

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.

In Indian context.

This book builds on the fluid and kinetic theory of equilibria and waves presented in a companion textbook, Basic Space Plasma Physics (by the same authors), but can also serve as a stand-alone text. It extends the field covered there into the domain of plasma instability and nonlinear theory.The book provides a representative selection of the many possible macro- and microinstabilities in a space plasma, from the Rayleigh-Taylor and Kelvin-Helmholtz to electrostatic and electromagnetic kinetic instabilities. Their quasilinear stabilization and nonlinear evolution and their application to space physics problems are treated. The chapters on nonlinear theory include nonlinear waves, weak turbulence and strong turbulence, all presented from the viewpoint of their relevance to space plasma physics. Special topics include auroral particle acceleration, soliton formation and caviton collapse, anomalous transport, and the theory of collisionless shocks.

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.