In recent years the significant progress in satellite-based observations of plasma states and associated electromagnetic phenomena in space has resulted in the accumulation of much evidence of various plasma instabilities. Today plasma instabilities are believed to be responsible for electromagnetic radiation as well as for many of the macroscopic dynamics of plasmas in space. Most students who begin to study plasma physics are intrigued by the unstable nature of plasmas compared with other states of matter; however, they often become frustrated because there are so many in stabilities. Such frustration explains in part why there is no textbook which treats this subject exclusively. A description of plasma instabilities in a systematic way is nontrivial and takes a pertinacious effort. This book is an attempt to provide a basic introduction on the subject and covers most of the important instabilities. However, the author must apologize for any omission of references to contributions of individuals who deserve more credit. The reader is assumed to have a general knowledge of plasma physics obtainable in an undergraduate course. The book is intended to be used as a reference text on the subject of plasma instabilities at the under graduate level as well as for a text in a special course in graduate school. Because the book is part of a series on physics and chemistry in space, emphasis is placed on plasma instabilities relevant in space plasmas.

Handbook on Plasma Instabilities, Volume 3, is primarily intended to serve as a sourcebook for obtaining quick information and literature references pertaining to a specific topic. Such a handbook has to be formulated in a way that enables understanding of any one section without requiring full understanding of any other section. Volume 1 (Chapters 1-13) presents the fundamental concepts of plasma physics with applications, and has more the nature of a textbook treating basic plasma physics, containment, waves, and macroscopic instabilities. Volume 2 (Chapters 14-17) covers various aspects of microinstabilities, beam plasma systems, stabilization methods, and parametric effects. The present volume (Chapters 18-22) starts with a discussion on feedback and dynamic stabilization using parametric and other effects. It then treats nonlinear effects and laser-plasma systems. One chapter is devoted to applications and use of instabilities. It concludes with a report on plasma waves and instabilities in cosmic space.

Handbook on Plasma Instabilities, Volume 2 consists of four chapters on plasma instabilities. Chapter 14 discusses the various aspects of microinstabilities. Beam-plasma systems are covered in Chapter 15, while the various stabilization methods are presented in Chapter 16. This book concludes with deliberations on parametric effects in Chapter 17. Other topics discussed include the microinstabilities of a homogeneous unmagnetized plasma; kinetic theory of macroscopic instabilities; basic beam physics; and beam-plasma instabilities. The magnetic field configuration stabilization; macroscopic nonmagnetic stabilization methods; parametric instabilities in homogeneous unmagnetized plasmas; and parametric effects in bounded and inhomogeneous plasmas are also elaborated in this text. This publication is beneficial to students and researchers conducting work on unstable plasma.