This book presents studies of complexity in the context of nonequilibrium phenomena using theory, modeling, simulations, and experiments, both in the laboratory and in nature.

This book deals with the physics of low temperature plasmas of atomic and molecular gases. Several diagnostic methods for nonequilibrium plasma are described. The relevant elementary processes governing the kinetics and transport of atomic and chemically active molecular plasmas are discussed and numerical models of plasmas aimed at systematically solving MHD-equations are also presented. Intended for use by scientists and engineers active in various fields of low-temperature plasma physics, this book is also suitable for teachers and students at pre- and postgraduate level. In chapter 1 general problems of the elementary physics of plasma are considered and the principal ideas relating to plasma properties are given. In chapter 2 the principles which form the basis of atomic and molecular spectra radiated by a plasma are briefly described. Chapter 3 reviews experimental material associated with the peculiarities of molecular excitation processes in nonequilibrium low-temperature plasma. In chapter 4 a number of problems related to the technique and methods of spectroscopy are considered. Chapter 5 presents experimental material gained from studying the peculiarities of molecular excitation spectra from low-pressure gas discharges and describes diagnostics for nonequilibrium chemically active plasma. In chapter 6 the problems of mathematical modeling of equilibrium plasma in arcs, microwave and optical discharges are analyzed. In chapter 7, a theoretical description of nonequilibrium plasma in electrical arcs, microwave and radio-frequency discharges based on two-temperature approximation of the plasma parameters is offered. Chapter 8 presents a detailed case-study on the transport and excitation of a magnetized plasma of intermediate electron density. Several diagnostic techniques and models introduced in earlier chapters are used to obtain information on plasma properties.

The ionization of molecules by electrons and the reactions of the resulting ions with neutral reagents are essential elements of gaseous electronics. The partitioning among simple and dissociative ionization by electron impact and the kinetics of charge transfer reactions have been evaluated using pulsed ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry.

Plasma catalysis is gaining increasing interest for various gas conversion applications, such as CO2 conversion into value-added chemicals and fuels, N2 fixation for the synthesis of NH3 or NOx, methane conversion into higher hydrocarbons or oxygenates. It is also widely used for air pollution control (e.g., VOC remediation). Plasma catalysis allows thermodynamically difficult reactions to proceed at ambient pressure and temperature, due to activation of the gas molecules by energetic electrons created in the plasma. However, plasma is very reactive but not selective, and thus a catalyst is needed to improve the selectivity. In spite of the growing interest in plasma catalysis, the underlying mechanisms of the (possible) synergy between plasma and catalyst are not yet fully understood. Indeed, plasma catalysis is quite complicated, as the plasma will affect the catalyst and vice versa. Moreover, due to the reactive plasma environment, the most suitable catalysts will probably be different from thermal catalysts. More research is needed to better understand the plasma–catalyst interactions, in order to further improve the applications.

The first research on plasma was done in connection with the study of electrical discharges in gases. The focus of attention for physicists was the partially ionized plasma, the kinetics of which is governed by various collisional and radiative processes. The choice of this area of research was motivated largely by the practical problems of that time the creation of gas-discharge light sources, rectifiers, and inverters. Since the early 1950s interest in plasma physics has risen sharply, particularly in the study of the completely ionized plasma with its various collective phenomena, insta bilities, and the interesting and sometimes unexpected effects attending the propagation of electromagnetic waves in such a plasma and the action on it of external electric and magnetic fields. Interest in hot plasmas has been stimulated not only by the diverse and novel physical phenomena, but also by the problems arising in connection with controlled nuclear fusion. The advent, in the early 1960s, of new technical fields such as gas-discharge lasers, magnetohydrodynamic generators, thermoemission converters, plasma chemistry, plasma propul sion devices, various methods in plasma technology, etc. , has led to increased interest in weakly ionized low-tempera ture plasmas. This is particularly true of nonequilibrium plasmas, which are characterized by an extraordinary diver sity of states and properties.

Plasma Chemistry - 2: Plasma Chemistry and Transport Phenomena in Thermal Plasmas presents the proceeding of the Second International Symposium on Plasma Chemistry, held in Rome, Italy, on September 18–23, 1975. This book discusses the thermodynamic state of chemically reacting plasmas, which are generally described by Pauli or Boltzmann kinetic equations. Organized into eight chapters, this compilation of papers begins with an overview of the influence of the plasma state by a superimposed laser radiation field. This text then examines the mechanisms of chemical transformations in electric discharges. Other chapters consider the successful exploitation of thermal plasmas in the field of high temperature chemistry. This book discusses as well the status of plasma processes involving mass transfer and heat, with reference to the processes of condensation, vaporization, and chemical reaction. The final chapter deals with plasma heating and spraying of various materials. This book is a valuable resource for chemists, metallurgists, and scientists.