Plasma Physics
A comprehensive graduate-level course on plasma physics—from fundamental single-particle motion through advanced topics in fusion, astrophysics, and modern plasma applications.
Course Overview
This course provides a rigorous, comprehensive treatment of plasma physics at the graduate level. Plasma—the fourth state of matter—constitutes over 99% of the visible universe and is central to fusion energy, space physics, astrophysics, and advanced materials processing.
What You'll Learn
- • Single-particle motion and guiding center theory
- • Kinetic theory and Vlasov-Maxwell equations
- • Landau damping and plasma instabilities
- • Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) and fluid models
- • Plasma waves and wave-particle interactions
- • Collisional processes and transport theory
- • Magnetic and inertial confinement fusion
- • Space and astrophysical plasma phenomena
Prerequisites
- • Classical mechanics and electromagnetism
- • Statistical mechanics and thermodynamics
- • Partial differential equations
- • Complex analysis and special functions
- • Vector calculus and tensor notation
- • Quantum mechanics (helpful but not essential)
8 major parts | 53 chapters | Graduate level | Complete coverage
Course Structure
Part I: Plasma Fundamentals
Definition of plasma, Debye shielding, plasma parameter, single-particle motion, Lorentz force, guiding center theory, drifts, collisions, and adiabatic invariants.
Part II: Kinetic Theory
Vlasov equation, distribution functions, Landau damping, two-stream instability, Fokker-Planck equation, quasilinear theory, and particle trapping in waves.
Part III: Fluid Theory
Moment equations, ideal and resistive MHD, Grad-Shafranov equation, MHD equilibrium, Alfvén waves, MHD instabilities, two-fluid theory, and closure problem.
Part IV: Waves & Instabilities
Electromagnetic waves, Langmuir oscillations, ion acoustic waves, lower hybrid resonance, whistler modes, parametric instabilities, drift waves, and plasma turbulence.
Part V: Collisional Processes
Transport coefficients, resistivity, neoclassical transport, trapped particles, runaway electrons, bremsstrahlung, cyclotron radiation, and atomic processes.
Part VI: Plasma Confinement
Tokamaks, stellarators, inertial confinement fusion, plasma heating (NBI, ICRF, ECRF), current drive, divertors, plasma-wall interactions, and ITER.
Part VII: Space & Astrophysical Plasmas
Solar wind, Earth's magnetosphere, aurora, radiation belts, stellar atmospheres, accretion disks, AGN, and cosmic ray acceleration.
Part VIII: Advanced Topics
Nonlinear dynamics, solitons, gyrokinetics, PIC simulations, laser-plasma interactions, dusty plasmas, quantum plasmas, and advanced diagnostics.
Why This Course?
Graduate Standard
Comprehensive coverage matching top graduate programs in plasma physics and fusion science.
Theory & Applications
Rigorous theoretical foundations combined with practical applications in fusion and astrophysics.
Clear Derivations
Every concept built from first principles with detailed mathematical derivations and physical insight.
Applications of Plasma Physics
Energy & Technology
- • Magnetic confinement fusion (tokamaks, stellarators)
- • Inertial confinement fusion (NIF, laser fusion)
- • Plasma propulsion (ion thrusters, VASIMR)
- • Semiconductor manufacturing
- • Plasma displays and lighting
Space & Astrophysics
- • Solar physics and heliosphere
- • Magnetospheric physics
- • Stellar atmospheres and winds
- • Accretion disks around compact objects
- • Cosmic ray propagation
Start with Plasma Fundamentals