The series of books discusses the physics of laser and matter interaction, fluid dynamics of high-temperature and high-density compressible plasma, and kinetic phenomena and particle dynamics in laser-produced plasma. The book (Vol.1) gives the physics of intense-laser absorption in matter and/or plasma in non-relativistic and relativistic laser-intensity regime. In many cases, it is explained with clear images of physics so that an intuitive understanding of individual physics is possible for non-specialists. For intense-laser of 1013-16 W/cm2, the laser energy is mainly absorbed via collisional process, where the oscillation energy is converted to thermal energy by non-adiabatic Coulomb collision with the ions. Collisionless interactions with the collective modes in plasma are also described. The main topics are the interaction of ultra-intense laser and plasma for the intensity near and over 1018W/cm2. In such regime, relativistic dynamics become essential. A new physics appears due to the relativistic effects, such as mass correction, relativistic nonlinear force, chaos physics of particle motions, and so on. The book provides clearly the theoretical base for challenging the laser-plasma interaction physics in the wide range of power lasers. It is suitable as a textbook for upper-undergraduate and graduate students as well as for readers who want to understand the whole physics structure about what happen when an intense-laser irradiates any materials including solids, gas etc. Explaining the physics intuitively without complicated mathematics, it is also a valuable resource for engineering students and researchers as well as for self-study.

The growing number of scientific and technological applications of plasma physics in the field of Aerospace Engineering requires that graduate students and professionals understand their principles. This introductory book is the expanded version of class notes of lectures I taught for several years to students of Aerospace Engineering and Physics. It is intended as a reading guide, addressed to students and non-specialists to tackle later with more advanced texts. To make the subject more accessible the book does not follow the usual organization of standard textbooks in this field and is divided in two parts. The first introduces the basic kinetic theory (molecular collisions, mean free path, etc.) of neutral gases in equilibrium in connection to the undergraduate physics courses. The basic properties of ionized gases and plasmas (Debye length, plasma frequencies, etc.) are addressed in relation to their equilibrium states and the collisional processes at the microscopic level. The physical description of short and long-range (Coulomb) collisions and the more relevant collisions (elementary processes) between electrons' ions and neutral atoms or molecules are discussed. The second part introduces the physical description of plasmas as a statistical system of interacting particles introducing advanced concepts of kinetic theory, (non-equilibrium distribution functions, Boltzmann collision operator, etc). The fluid transport equations for plasmas of electron ions and neutral atoms and the hydrodynamic models of interest in space science and plasma technology are derived. The plasma production in the laboratory in the context of the physics of electric breakdown is also discussed. Finally, among the myriad of aerospace applications of plasma physics, the low pressure microwave electron multipactor breakdown and plasma thrusters for space propulsion are presented in two separate chapters.

This book focuses on the physics of laser plasma interactions and presents a complementary and very useful numerical model of plasmas. It describes the linear theory of light wave propagation in plasmas, including linear mode conversion into plasma waves and collisional damping.

"New physics" is an appealing new keyword, not yet devalued by the ravages of inflation. But what has this to do with such an ugly field as plasma physics, steeped in classical physics, mostly outworn, with all its unsolved and ambiguous technological problems and its messy and open ended numerical studies? "New physics" is concerned with quarks, Higgs particles, grand unified theory, super strings, gravitational waves, and the profound basics of cosmology and black holes. It is the field of astonishing quantum effects, demonstrated by the von Klitzing effect and high temperature superconductors. But what can plasma physicists offer, after so many years of expensive and frustrating research to solve the problem of fusion energy? One may suggest that the fascinating research ofchaos with applications to plasma, or the achievements of statistical mechanics applied to plasmas, has something to offer and should be the subject of attention. However, this is not the aim of this book. Complementing the traditional aim of physics, which is to interpret the phenomena of nature by generalizing laws such that exact predictions about new properties and effects can be drawn, this book demonstrates how new physics has been derived over the last 30 years from the state of matter which exists at high temperatures (plasma).

This book discusses the physics of plasma initiation and reviews the features of dissipating, propagating plasmas. It deals with advances in diagnostics for high-energy, laser-fusion plasmas. The book reviews the basic physical processes, plasma characteristics of the "continuous optical discharge".

Soft X-rays have great potential for use in a wide variety of applications, including the semiconductor industry and the life sciences. X-Rays from Laser Plasmas: Generation and Applications focuses exclusively and in detail on the science and technology of soft X-rays produced with non-synchrotron sources. Using a minimum of mathematical formulae, it discusses how such X-rays can be efficiently and economically generated from plasmas produced by lasers, and how they interact with matter. Authored by Dr Edmond Turcu, one of the pioneers in this field, X-Rays from Laser Plasmas: Generation and Applications will be of great interest to a wide variety of readers, including all those working in X-ray lithography, microscopy, and radiobiology.