Introduction to Plasmas and Plasma Dynamics provides an accessible introduction to the understanding of high temperature, ionized gases necessary to conduct research and develop applications related to plasmas. While standard presentations of introductory material emphasize physics and the theoretical basis of the topics, this text acquaints the reader with the context of the basic information and presents the fundamental knowledge required for advanced work or study. The book relates theory to relevant devices and mechanisms, presenting a clear outline of analysis and mathematical detail; it highlights the significance of the concepts with reviews of recent applications and trends in plasma engineering, including topics of plasma formation and magnetic fusion, plasma thrusters and space propulsion. - Presents the essential principles of plasma dynamics needed for effective research and development work in plasma applications - Emphasizes physical understanding and supporting theoretical foundation with reference to their utilization in devices, mechanisms and phenomena - Covers a range of applications, including energy conversion, space propulsion, magnetic fusion, and space physics

As the twenty-first century progresses, plasma technology will play an increasing role in our lives, providing new sources of energy, ion-plasma processing of materials, wave electromagnetic radiation sources, space plasma thrusters, and more. Studies of the plasma state of matter not only accelerate technological developments but also improve the

Introduction to Plasmas and Plasma Dynamics: With Plasma Physics Applications to Space Propulsion, Magnetic Fusion and Space Physics, Second Edition provides an accessible introduction to the understanding of high temperature, ionized gases necessary to conduct research and develop applications related to plasmas. Thoroughly updated and expanded, this sec - Describes plasma applications with close reference to elementary processes, promoting a deeper understanding of plasmas in new fields - Provides structured problems in every chapter that help readers grasp the book's practical lessons - Includes a new chapter on numerical methods in plasmas that adds crucial context for experimental approaches

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.

A good working knowledge of fluid mechanics and plasma physics is essential for the modern astrophysicist. This graduate textbook provides a clear, pedagogical introduction to these core subjects. Assuming an undergraduate background in physics, this book develops fluid mechanics and plasma physics from first principles. This book is unique because it presents neutral fluids and plasmas in a unified scheme, clearly indicating both their similarities and their differences. Also, both the macroscopic (continuum) and microscopic (particle) theories are developed, establishing the connections between them. Throughout, key examples from astrophysics are used, though no previous knowledge of astronomy is assumed. Exercises are included at the end of chapters to test the reader's understanding. This textbook is aimed primarily at astrophysics graduate students. It will also be of interest to advanced students in physics and applied mathematics seeking a unified view of fluid mechanics and plasma physics, encompassing both the microscopic and macroscopic theories.

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.

This book is based on the lecture notes which the author gave in a seminar of the same title in the Institut fur theoretische Gasdynamik, D. V. L. e. V., Aachen, Germany, during the academic year of 1957-1958. The subject matter has been rewritten and expanded after the author's return to the University of Maryland. The purpose of this book is to give a theoretical introduction to plasma dynamics and magnetogasdynamics from the gasdynamic point of view. Attention is given to the basic assumptions and the formulation of the theory of the flow problems of a plasma, an ionized gas, as well as to the various methods of solving these problems. Since plasma dynamics is still in a developing stage, the author hopes that this book _may furnish the readers some basic elements in the theory of plasma -dynamics so that they may find it useful for further study and research in this new field. After the introduction in which the scope of plasma. dynamics is briefly discussed, the fundamental equations of plasma dynamics from the macro scopic point of view, i. e., the theory of continuum has been analyzed, in detail in chapters IT to IV, including many simplified cases sUQh as m,agneto gasdynamics, magnetohydrodynamics, electromaguetodynamics, radiation magnetogasdynamics etc. In chapter V, the important parameters and their range of applicatIons have been treated. The parameters are useful in the correlation of experi mental results.