Plasma Physics

Plasma Physics - Basic Theory with Fusion Applications presents a thorough treatment of plasma physics, beginning at an introductory level and including an extensive discussion of applications in thermonuclear fusion research. The physics of fusion plasmas is explained in relation to recent progress in tokamak research and other plasma confinement schemes, such as stellarators and intertial confinement. The unique and systematic presentation and numerous problems will help readers to understand the overall structure of plasma theory and will facilitate access to more advanced literature on specialized topics. This new edition has been updated with more recent-results.

Beginning at an introductory level, this text presents a thorough treatment of plasma physics, including an extensive discussion of its applications in thermonuclear fusion research. A novel feature of this book is its comprehensive description of the various concepts and formulas widely used in fusion theory based on the fundamental equations of the plasma fluid. The physics of fusion plasmas is explained mainly in relation to recent progress in tokamak research, but other plasma confinement schemes, such as stellarators and inertial confinement, are also described. The unique and systematic presentation will help readers to understand the overall structure of plasma theory and will facilitate access to more advanced literature on special topics.

The enlarged new edition of this textbook provides a comprehensive introduction to the basic processes in plasmas and demonstrates that the same fundamental concepts describe cold gas-discharge plasmas, space plasmas,

The enlarged new edition of this textbook provides a comprehensive introduction to the basic processes in plasmas and demonstrates that the same fundamental concepts describe cold gas-discharge plasmas, space plasmas, and hot fusion plasmas. Starting from particle drifts in magnetic fields, the principles of magnetic confinement fusion are explained and compared with laser fusion. Collective processes are discussed in terms of plasma waves and instabilities.