This anthology includes articles on experimental studies of the interaction of high-power electromag netic waves with collisionless plasmas and with electrons. The nonlinear interaction of waves with plasmas has been investigated both under free space conditions and in waveguides. A study of secondary-emission dis charges was made in order to ascertain their possible effect on measurements in waveguides. The results presented here on the interaction of high-power waves with plasmas and electrons are of interest to a wide range of physicists and engineers concerned with various questions on the interaction of electromagnetic radiation with plasmas, including microwave heating of plasmas and laser fusion. v CONTENTS An Experimental Investigation of Nonlinear Dissipation of Electromagnetic Waves in Inhomogeneous Collisionless Plasmas - G.M. Batanov and V.A. SHin ... 1 Collisionless Absorption of Electromagnetic Waves in Plasmas and "Slow" Nonlinear Phenomena - V. 1. Barinov, 1. R. Gekker, V.A. Ivanov, and D.M. Karfidov. ... 25 ... Nonlinear Effects in the Propagation of Electron Plasma Waves in an Inhomogeneous Plasma Layer - V.A. SHin ..." ... 53 A Study of Secondary-Emission Microwave Discharges with Large Electron Transit Angles - L.V. Grishin, A.A. Dorofeyuk, 1. A. Kossyi, G.S. Luk'yanchikov, and M.M. Savchenko ... ... 63 ...

The Physics of Plasmas provides a comprehensive introduction to the subject, illustrating the basic theory with examples drawn from fusion, space and astrophysical plasmas. A particular strength of the book is its discussion of the various models used to describe plasma physics and the relationships between them. These include particle orbit theory, fluid equations, ideal and resistive magnetohydrodynamics, wave equations and kinetic theory. The reader will gain a firm grounding in the fundamentals, and develop this into an understanding of some of the more specialised topics. Throughout the text, there is an emphasis on the physical interpretation of plasma phenomena. Exercises are provided throughout. Advanced undergraduate and graduate students of physics, applied mathematics, astronomy and engineering will find a clear but rigorous explanation of the fundamental properties of plasmas with minimal mathematical formality. This book will also appeal to research physicists, nuclear and electrical engineers.

Providing a fundamental introduction to all aspects of modern plasma chemistry, this book describes mechanisms and kinetics of chemical processes in plasma, plasma statistics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and electrodynamics, as well as all major electric discharges applied in plasma chemistry. Fridman considers most of the major applications of plasma chemistry, from electronics to thermal coatings, from treatment of polymers to fuel conversion and hydrogen production and from plasma metallurgy to plasma medicine. It is helpful to engineers, scientists and students interested in plasma physics, plasma chemistry, plasma engineering and combustion, as well as chemical physics, lasers, energy systems and environmental control. The book contains an extensive database on plasma kinetics and thermodynamics and numerical formulas for practical calculations related to specific plasma-chemical processes and applications. Problems and concept questions are provided, helpful in courses related to plasma, lasers, combustion, chemical kinetics, statistics and thermodynamics, and high-temperature and high-energy fluid mechanics.

Solar and space physics is the study of solar system phenomena that occur in the plasma state. Examples include sunspots, the solar wind, planetary magnetospheres, radiation belts, and the aurora. While each is a distinct phenomenon, there are commonalities among them. To help define and systematize these universal aspects of the field of space physics, the National Research Council was asked by NASA's Office of Space Science to provide a scientific assessment and strategy for the study of magnetized plasmas in the solar system. This report presents that assessment. It covers a number of important research goals for solar and space physics. The report is complementary to the NRC report, The Sun to the Earthâ€"and Beyond: A Decadal Research Strategy for Solar and Space Physics, which presents priorities and strategies for future program activities.