Fundamentals of Plasma Physics - Softcover

Bellan, Paul M.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521528003 ISBN 13: 9780521528009

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2008

Synopsis

This rigorous explanation of plasmas is relevant to diverse plasma applications such as controlled fusion, astrophysical plasmas, solar physics, magnetospheric plasmas, and plasma thrusters. More thorough than previous texts, it exploits new powerful mathematical techniques to develop deeper insights into plasma behavior. After developing the basic plasma equations from first principles, the book explores single particle motion with particular attention to adiabatic invariance. The author then examines types of plasma waves and the issue of Landau damping. Magnetohydrodynamic equilibrium and stability are tackled with emphasis on the topological concepts of magnetic helicity and self-organization. Advanced topics follow, including magnetic reconnection, nonlinear waves, and the Fokker–Planck treatment of collisions. The book concludes by discussing unconventional plasmas such as non-neutral and dusty plasmas. Written for beginning graduate students and advanced undergraduates, this text emphasizes the fundamental principles that apply across many different contexts.

About this title

About the Author

Paul M. Bellan is Professor of Applied Physics at the California Institute of Technology.

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0521528003
• ISBN 13: 9780521528009
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 628