Introduction to Plasma Physics

Introduction to Plasma Physics is the standard text for an introductory lecture course on plasma physics. The text’s six sections lead readers systematically and comprehensively through the fundamentals of modern plasma physics. Sections on single-particle motion, plasmas as fluids, and collisional processes in plasmas lay the groundwork for a thorough understanding of the subject. The authors take care to place the material in its historical context for a rich understanding of the ideas presented. They also emphasize the importance of medical imaging in radiotherapy, providing a logical link to more advanced works in the area. The text includes problems, tables, and illustrations as well as a thorough index and a complete list of references.

Preface Introduction Introduction to Plasmas Particle Drifts in Uniform Field. Particle Drifts in Non-Uniform Magnetic Fields Particle Drifts in Time-Dependent Fields Mappings Fluid Equations for a Plasma Relation between Fluid Equations and Guiding-Center Drifts Single-Fluid Magnetohydrodynamics Magnetohydrodynamic Equilibrium Fully and Partially Ionized Plasmas Collisions in Fully Ionized Plasmas Diffusion in Plasmas The Fokker-Planck Equation for Coulomb Collisions Collisions of Fast Ions in a Plasma Basic Concepts of Small-Amplitude Waves in Anisotropic Dispersive Media Waves in an Unmagnetized Plasma High-Frequency Waves in a Magnetized Plasma Low-Frequency Waves in a Magnetized Plasma The Rayleigh-Taylor and Flute Instabilities The Resistive Tearing Instability Drift Waves and Instabilities The Vlasov Equation Kinetic Effects on Plasma Waves: Vlasov’s Treatment Kinetic Effects on Plasma Waves: Landau’s Treatment Velocity-Space Instabilities and Nonlinear Theory The Drift-Kinetic Equation and Kinetic Drift Waves Appendices