Principles of Plasma Physics for Engineers and Scientists

Senior undergraduate/graduate introductory course text which combines mathematical rigor and qualitative explanations.

Umran S. Inan (Author), Marek Go?kowski (Author)

9780521193726, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 2 December 2010

286 pages, 59 b/w illus. 83 exercises
25.3 x 19.5 x 1.8 cm, 0.76 kg

'This new book provides an excellent summary of the basic processes occurring in plasmas together with a comprehensive introduction to the mathematical formulation of fluid (MHD) and kinetic theory. It provides an excellent introduction to the subject suitable for senior undergraduate students or entry-level graduate students.' Richard M. Thorne, University of California, Los Angeles

This unified introduction provides the tools and techniques needed to analyze plasmas and connects plasma phenomena to other fields of study. Combining mathematical rigor with qualitative explanations, and linking theory to practice with example problems, this is a perfect textbook for senior undergraduate and graduate students taking one-semester introductory plasma physics courses. For the first time, material is presented in the context of unifying principles, illustrated using organizational charts, and structured in a successive progression from single particle motion, to kinetic theory and average values, through to collective phenomena of waves in plasma. This provides students with a stronger understanding of the topics covered, their interconnections, and when different types of plasma models are applicable. Furthermore, mathematical derivations are rigorous, yet concise, so physical understanding is not lost in lengthy mathematical treatments. Worked examples illustrate practical applications of theory and students can test their new knowledge with 90 end-of-chapter problems.

1. Introduction
2. Single particle motion
3. Kinetic theory of plasmas
4. Moments of the Boltzmann equation
5. Multiple fluid theory of plasmas
6. Single fluid theory of plasmas: magnetohydrodynamics
7. Collisions and plasma conductivity
8. Plasma diffusion
9. Introduction to waves in plasmas
10. Waves in cold magnetized plasmas
11. Effects of collisions, ions and finite temperature on waves in magnetized plasmas
12. Waves in hot plasmas
13. Plasma sheath and the Langmuir probe
Appendix A. Derivation of second moment of the Boltzmann equation
Appendix B. Useful vector identities.

Subject Areas: Electronics engineering [TJF], Plasma physics [PHFP]