Principles of Plasma Physics for Engineers and Scientists

Umran S. Inan, Marek Gołkowski

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Year: 2010
• Print ISBN:
  9780521193726
• eBook ISBN:
  9780511911255
• Topic: Scienze fisiche
• Subtopic: Elettromagnetismo

This unified introduction provides the tools and techniques needed to analyze plasmas and connects plasma phenomena to other fields of study. Combining mathematical rigor with qualitative explanations, and linking theory to practice with example problems, this is a perfect textbook for senior undergraduate and graduate students taking one-semester introductory plasma physics courses. For the first time, material is presented in the context of unifying principles, illustrated using organizational charts, and structured in a successive progression from single particle motion, to kinetic theory and average values, through to collective phenomena of waves in plasma. This provides students with a stronger understanding of the topics covered, their interconnections, and when different types of plasma models are applicable. Furthermore, mathematical derivations are rigorous, yet concise, so physical understanding is not lost in lengthy mathematical treatments. Worked examples illustrate practical applications of theory and students can test their new knowledge with 90 end-of-chapter problems.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half-title
• Title
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Contents
• Preface
• CHAPTER 1 Introduction
• CHAPTER 2 Single-particle motion
• CHAPTER 3 Kinetic theory of plasmas⤀
• CHAPTER 4 Moments of the Boltzmann equation
• CHAPTER 5 Multiple-fluid theory of plasmas
• CHAPTER 6 Single-fluid theory of plasmas: magnetohydrodynamics
• CHAPTER 7 Collisions and plasma conductivity
• CHAPTER 8 Plasma diffusion
• CHAPTER 9 Introduction to waves in plasmas
• CHAPTER 10 Waves in cold magnetized plasmas
• CHAPTER 11 Effects of collisions, ions, and finite temperature
• CHAPTER 12 Waves in hot plasmas
• CHAPTER 13 The plasma sheath and the Langmuir probe
• Appendix A: Second moment of the Boltzmann equation
• Appendix B: Useful vector relations
• Index