ABSTRACT

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.

chapter Chapter 1|18 pages

Introduction to plasmas

part UNIT 1|64 pages

SINGLE-PARTICLE MOTION

chapter Chapter 2|8 pages

Particle drifts in uniform fields

chapter Chapter 4|20 pages

Particle drifts in time-dependent fields

chapter Chapter 5|14 pages

Mappings

part UNIT 2|62 pages

PLASMAS AS FLUIDS

chapter Chapter 6|12 pages

Fluid equations for a plasma

chapter Chapter 8|14 pages

Single-fluid magnetohydrodynamics

chapter Chapter 9|16 pages

Magnetohydrodynamic equilibrium

part UNIT 3|102 pages

COLLISIONAL PROCESSES IN PLASMAS

chapter Chapter 10|18 pages

Fully and partially ionized plasmas

chapter Chapter 11|20 pages

Collisions in fully ionized plasmas

chapter Chapter 12|34 pages

Diffusion in plasmas

chapter Chapter 14|18 pages

Collisions of fast ions in a plasma*

part UNIT 4|62 pages

WAVES IN A FLUID PLASMA

part UNIT 5|76 pages

INSTABILITIES IN A FLUID PLASMA

chapter Chapter 20|26 pages

The resistive tearing instability*

chapter Chapter 21|22 pages

Drift waves and instabilities*

part UNIT 6|85 pages

KINETIC THEORY OF PLASMAS