A comprehensive textbook on the foundational principles of plasmas, including material on advanced topics and related disciplines such as optics, fluid dynamics, and astrophysics Foundations of Plasma Physics for Physicists and Mathematicians covers the basic physics underlying plasmas and describes the methodology and techniques used in both plasma research and other disciplines such as optics and fluid mechanics. Designed to help readers develop physical understanding and mathematical competence in the subject, this rigorous textbook discusses the underlying theoretical foundations of plasma physics as well as a range of specific problems, focused on those principally associated with fusion. Reflective of the development of plasma physics, the text first introduces readers to the collective and collisional behaviors of plasma, the single particle model, wave propagation, the kinetic effects of gases and plasma, and other foundational concepts and principles. Subsequent chapters cover topics including the hydrodynamic limit of plasma, ideal magneto-hydrodynamics, waves in MHD plasmas, magnetically confined plasma, and waves in magnetized hot and cold plasma. Written by an acknowledged expert with more than five decades’ active research experience in the field, this authoritative text: Identifies and emphasizes the similarities and differences between plasmas and fluids Describes the different types of interparticle forces that influence the collective behavior of plasma Demonstrates and stresses the importance of coherent and collective effects in plasma Contains an introduction to interactions between laser beams and plasma Includes supplementary sections on the basic models of low temperature plasma and the theory of complex variables and Laplace transforms Foundations of Plasma Physics for Physicists and Mathematicians is the ideal textbook for advanced undergraduate and graduate students in plasma physics, and a valuable compendium for physicists working in plasma physics and fluid mechanics.

A comprehensive textbook on the foundational principles of plasmas, including material on advanced topics and related disciplines such as optics, fluid dynamics, and astrophysics Foundations of Plasma Physics for Physicists and Mathematicians covers the basic physics underlying plasmas and describes the methodology and techniques used in both plasma research and other disciplines such as optics and fluid mechanics. Designed to help readers develop physical understanding and mathematical competence in the subject, this rigorous textbook discusses the underlying theoretical foundations of plasma physics as well as a range of specific problems, focused on those principally associated with fusion. Reflective of the development of plasma physics, the text first introduces readers to the collective and collisional behaviors of plasma, the single particle model, wave propagation, the kinetic effects of gases and plasma, and other foundational concepts and principles. Subsequent chapters cover topics including the hydrodynamic limit of plasma, ideal magneto-hydrodynamics, waves in MHD plasmas, magnetically confined plasma, and waves in magnetized hot and cold plasma. Written by an acknowledged expert with more than five decades’ active research experience in the field, this authoritative text: Identifies and emphasizes the similarities and differences between plasmas and fluids Describes the different types of interparticle forces that influence the collective behavior of plasma Demonstrates and stresses the importance of coherent and collective effects in plasma Contains an introduction to interactions between laser beams and plasma Includes supplementary sections on the basic models of low temperature plasma and the theory of complex variables and Laplace transforms Foundations of Plasma Physics for Physicists and Mathematicians is the ideal textbook for advanced undergraduate and graduate students in plasma physics, and a valuable compendium for physicists working in plasma physics and fluid mechanics.

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.

Fundamentals of Plasma Physics is a general introduction designed to present a comprehensive, logical and unified treatment of the fundamentals of plasma physics based on statistical kinetic theory, with applications to a variety of important plasma phenomena. Its clarity and completeness makes the text suitable for self-learning and for self-paced courses. Throughout the text the emphasis is on clarity, rather than formality, the various derivations are explained in detail and, wherever possible, the physical interpretations are emphasized. The mathematical treatment is set out in great detail, carrying out the steps which are usually left to the reader. The problems form an integral part of the text and most of them were designed in such a way as to provide a guideline, stating intermediate steps with answers.

For the last thirty years, international summer schools in plasma physics have been held at Culham Laboratory, site of the Joint European Torus fusion project. This book has been developed from lectures given at these schools, and provides a wide-ranging introduction to the subject. The first few chapters deal with the fundamentals of plasma physics. In subsequent chapters, the applications and properties of man-made and naturally occurring plasmas are discussed. In addition, there are chapters devoted to general phenomena such as turbulence and chaos. The computational techniques employed in modelling plasma behaviour are also described. Since no prior knowledge of plasma physics is assumed, this book will act as an ideal introduction to the subject for final year undergraduates and beginning graduate students in physics, astronomy, mathematics and engineering.

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.

This rigorous explanation of plasmas is relevant to diverse plasma applications such as controlled fusion, astrophysical plasmas, solar physics, magnetospheric plasmas, and plasma thrusters. More thorough than previous texts, it exploits new powerful mathematical techniques to develop deeper insights into plasma behavior. After developing the basic plasma equations from first principles, the book explores single particle motion with particular attention to adiabatic invariance. The author then examines types of plasma waves and the issue of Landau damping. Magnetohydrodynamic equilibrium and stability are tackled with emphasis on the topological concepts of magnetic helicity and self-organization. Advanced topics follow, including magnetic reconnection, nonlinear waves, and the Fokker–Planck treatment of collisions. The book concludes by discussing unconventional plasmas such as non-neutral and dusty plasmas. Written for beginning graduate students and advanced undergraduates, this text emphasizes the fundamental principles that apply across many different contexts.