PHY7105: Plasma Physics

The course covers the basic concepts of plasma, particle motion in electric and magnetic fields, multi-fluid components, waves in space plasmas, plasma sources and its industrial applications. This will involve treatment of elements of fluid mechanics, plasma fluid equations, E x B and diamagnetic drifts, Generalized Ohm’s law, Plasma waves in relation to magnetised and unmagnetized plasmas.

Course objectives 
The objectives of the course are to:

• Describe plasma and identify major industrial applications of plasmas and ionised gases.
• Describe and interpret particle motion in the presence of uniform electric and magnetic fields.
• Derive and interpret the fluid equations and drift equations.
• Explain the principles of the plasma fluid description.
• Describe the concept of multi-component plasmas.

Expected learning outcomes    
By the end of the course, the students should be able to:

• Define plasma and identify major industrial applications of plasmas and ionised gases.
• Analyse particle motion in the presence of uniform electric and magnetic fields
• Derive fluid and fluid drift equations and interpret their implications
• Explain the principles involved in describing plasma fluids
• Describe analytically the concept of multi-component plasmas
• Analyse the waves in plasmas and their equilibrium and stability