Course Details
Subject {L-T-P / C} : PH5104 : Introduction to Plasma Physics { 3-0-0 / 3}
Subject Nature : Theory
Coordinator : Suryanarayan Dash
Syllabus
| Module 1 : |
(6 hrs): Definition of plasma, Occurrence of Plasma in nature, Plasma in space: Solar wind and interplanetary medium, Magnetosphere and ionosphere, Plasma parameters, Plasma characterization, Debye Shielding. |
| Module 2 : |
(8 hrs): Charged particle dynamics in time varying fields, Motion of a charged particle in uniform and non-uniform electric & magnetic fields, Magnetic moments and adiabatic invariant. |
| Module 3 : |
(8 hrs): Plasma Oscillations and dispersion relations, Ionic acoustic waves, Alfven waves, magnetosonic waves, two stream and drift instabilities in plasma, Kelvin-Helmholtz and Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities, Magnetorotational instability in astrophysical plasmas, nonlinear effects in plasma waves. |
| Module 4 : |
(8 hrs): Magnetic confinement: Tokomaks, Stellarators, Mirror mechanism, instabilities in magnetic confinement devices, concept of laser driven fusion, fusion ignition conditions and compression scheme. |
| Module 5 : |
(6 hours): Plasma Application: Plasma Etching, material processing, plasma coating, plasma propulsion-Hall thrusters and ion thrusters. |
Course Objective
| 1 . |
To learn the fundamental properties of plasma. |
| 2 . |
To distinguish different types of plasmas found in nature and laboratory. |
| 3 . |
To analyze particle motion in electromagnetic fields. |
| 4 . |
To develop a theoretical understanding of plasma kinetics & confinement. |
| 5 . |
To know the plasma application in material processing, coating & thrusters. |
Course Outcome
| 1 . |
At the end of course, students will be able to:
|
| 2 . |
CO2: learn to analyze particle motion in electromagnetic fields . |
| 3 . |
CO3: acquire the knowledge plasma oscillations and dispersion relations. |
| 4 . |
CO4: understand the concept of Magnetic confinement & fusion ignition conditions. |
| 5 . |
CO5: acquire the knowledge of plasma application in different fields. |
Essential Reading
| 1 . |
P. M. Bellan, Fundamentals of Plasma Physics, Cambridge University Press |
| 2 . |
T. J. M. Boyd, and J. J. Sanderson, The Physics of Plasmas, Cambridge University Press |
| 3 . |
Francis F. Chen, Introduction to Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion, Springer |
Supplementary Reading
| 1 . |
J. A. Bittencourt, , Fundamentals of Plasma Physics, Springer |
| 2 . |
J. P. Freidberg, Plasma Physics and Fusion Energy, Cambridge University Press |
Journal and Conferences
| 1 . |