Foundations of Plasma Physics for Physicists and Mathematicians

1. Auflage 2021
ISBN: 978-1-119-77425-9
Verlag: Wiley

Buch, Englisch, 464 Seiten, Format (B × H): 183 mm x 261 mm, Gewicht: 1024 g

A comprehensive textbook on the foundational principles of plasmas, including material on advanced topics and related disciplines such as optics, fluid dynamics, and astrophysics

Foundations of Plasma Physics for Physicists and Mathematicians covers the basic physics underlying plasmas and describes the methodology and techniques used in both plasma research and other disciplines such as optics and fluid mechanics. Designed to help readers develop physical understanding and mathematical competence in the subject, this rigorous textbook discusses the underlying theoretical foundations of plasma physics as well as a range of specific problems, focused on those principally associated with fusion.

Reflective of the development of plasma physics, the text first introduces readers to the collective and collisional behaviors of plasma, the single particle model, wave propagation, the kinetic effects of gases and plasma, and other foundational concepts and principles. Subsequent chapters cover topics including the hydrodynamic limit of plasma, ideal magneto-hydrodynamics, waves in MHD plasmas, magnetically confined plasma, and waves in magnetized hot and cold plasma. Written by an acknowledged expert with more than five decades’ active research experience in the field, this authoritative text:

- Identifies and emphasizes the similarities and differences between plasmas and fluids
- Describes the different types of interparticle forces that influence the collective behavior of plasma
- Demonstrates and stresses the importance of coherent and collective effects in plasma
- Contains an introduction to interactions between laser beams and plasma
- Includes supplementary sections on the basic models of low temperature plasma and the theory of complex variables and Laplace transforms

Foundations of Plasma Physics for Physicists and Mathematicians is the ideal textbook for advanced undergraduate and graduate students in plasma physics, and a valuable compendium for physicists working in plasma physics and fluid mechanics.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Pert, Geoffrey J

Fachgebiete

• Technische Wissenschaften Maschinenbau | Werkstoffkunde Technische Mechanik | Werkstoffkunde Werkstoffprüfung
• Naturwissenschaften Physik Thermodynamik Plasmaphysik
• Naturwissenschaften Chemie Physikalische Chemie

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Preface xvii

1 Fundamental Plasma Parameters – Collective Behaviour 1

1.1 Introduction 1

1.2 Cold Plasma Waves 2

1.2.1 Wave Breaking 3

1.3 Debye Shielding 4

1.3.1 Weakly and Strongly Coupled Plasmas 6

1.3.2 The Plasma Parameter 7

1.4 Diffusion and Mobility 8

1.4.1 Einstein–Smoluchowski Relation 8

1.4.2 Ambipolar Diffusion 9

1.5 Wall Sheath 9

1.5.1 Positively Biased Wall 10

1.5.2 Free Fall Sheath 10

1.5.2.1 Pre-sheath 11

1.5.3 Mobility Limited Sheath 11

2 Fundamental Plasma Parameters – Collisional Behaviour 13

2.1 Electron Scattering by Ions 13

2.1.1 Binary Collisions – Rutherford Cross Section 13

2.1.2 Momentum Transfer Cross Section 15

2.1.2.1 Dynamical Friction and Diffusion 16

2.1.3 Many Body Collisions – Impulse Approximation 16

2.1.4 Relaxation Times 20

2.2 Collisional Transport Effects 21

2.2.1 Random Walk Model for Transport Effects 22

2.2.2 Maxwell’s Mean Free Path Model of Transport Phenomena 23

2.2.2.1 Flux Limitation 25

2.2.3 Drude Model of Electrical Conductivity 26

2.2.3.1 Alternating Electric Field, No Magnetic Field 27

2.2.3.2 Steady Electric Field, Finite Magnetic Field 27

2.2.3.3 Oscillatory Electric Field, Finite Magnetic Field 28

2.2.4 Diffusivity and Mobility in a Uniform Magnetic Field 29

2.3 Plasma Permittivity 30

2.3.1 Poynting’s Theorem – Energy Balance in an Electro-magnetic Field 31

2.4 Plasma as a Fluid – Two Fluid Model 32

2.4.1 Waves in Plasma 33

2.4.2 Beam Instabilities 36

2.4.2.1 Plasma Bunching 36

2.4.2.2 Two Stream Instability 36

2.4.3 Kinematics of Growing Waves 37

Appendix 2.A Momentum Transfer Collision Rate 39

Appendix 2.B The Central Limit Theorem 41

3 Single Particle Motion – Guiding Centre Model 43

3.1 Introduction 43

3.2 Motion in Stationary and

Über Autor(innen)

Geoffrey J. Pert is Emeritus Professor, Department of Physics, University of York, UK. He has continuously been involved in research in plasma physics, primarily the interaction of high-power lasers with materials, since first studying the subject as a research student in the 1960’s. Professor Pert is a Fellow of the Royal Society and has published more than 200 papers in scientific research journals. He is the author of Introduction to Fluid Mechanics and the co-author of An Introduction to Computer Simulation.