Physicists firmly believe that the differential equations of nature should be hyperbolic so as to exclude action at a distance; yet the equations of irreversible thermodynamics - those of Navier-Stokes and Fourier - are parabolic. This incompatibility between the expectation of physicists and the classical laws of thermodynamics has prompted the formulation of extended thermodynamics. After describing the motifs and early evolution of this new branch of irreversible thermodynamics, the authors apply the theory to mon-atomic gases, mixtures of gases, relativistic gases, and "gases" of phonons and photons. The discussion brings into perspective the various phenomena called second sound, such as heat propagation, propagation of shear stress and concentration, and the second sound in liquid helium. The formal mathematical structure of extended thermodynamics is exposed and the theory is shown to be fully compatible with the kinetic theory of gases. The study closes with the testing of extended thermodynamics through the exploitation of its predictions for measurements of light scattering and sound propagation.

This authoritative reference presents a comprehensive review of the evolution of plasma science and technology fundamentals over the past five decades. One of this field’s principal challenges has been its multidisciplinary nature requiring coverage of fundamental plasma physics in plasma generation, transport phenomena under high-temperature conditions, involving momentum, heat and mass transfer, and high-temperature reaction kinetics, as well as fundamentals of material science under extreme conditions. The book is structured in five distinct parts, which are presented in a reader-friendly format allowing for detailed coverage of the science base and engineering aspects of the technology including plasma generation, mathematical modeling, diagnostics, and industrial applications of thermal plasma technology. This book is an essential resource for practicing engineers, research scientists, and graduate students working in the field.