Introduction to Plasma Physics

Abstract

Introducing basic principles of plasma physics and their applications to space, laboratory and astrophysical plasmas, this new edition provides updated material throughout. Topics covered include single-particle motions, kinetic theory, magnetohydrodynamics, small amplitude waves in hot and cold plasmas, and collisional effects. New additions include the ponderomotive force, tearing instabilities in resistive plasmas and the magnetorotational instability in accretion disks, charged particle acceleration by shocks, and a more in-depth look at nonlinear phenomena. A broad range of applications are explored: planetary magnetospheres and radiation belts, the confinement and stability of plasmas in fusion devices, the propagation of discontinuities and shock waves in the solar wind, and analysis of various types of plasma waves and instabilities that can occur in planetary magnetospheres and laboratory plasma devices. With step-by-step derivations and self-contained introductions to mathematical methods, this book is ideal as an advanced undergraduate to graduate-level textbook, or as a reference for researchers.

Interactions between vortex tubes and magnetic-flux rings at high kinetic and magnetic Reynolds numbers

“…We analyze the standard (non Hall [33]) incompressible MHD system, that includes the fluid momentum equation,…”

Estimates of terms in Ohm's law during an encounter with an electron diffusion region

“…A key part of this study is the evaluation of the relative contributions of various terms in the generalized Ohm's law which relates electric field and currents and how each of these terms contributes to energy conversion. In the form emphasizing the electron contributions and valid for m e << m i , this is [ Gurnett and Bhattacharjee , ] where U e and U i are the electron and ion bulk velocities, P e is the full electron pressure tensor, E , B , and J are the usual electric, magnetic, and current field vectors, and η is the remaining resistivity that may be due to collisions (usually negligible), wave‐particle interactions, or unaccounted kinetic effects. (Not explicitly evaluated here, the term η J , which we call the “residue,” is best thought to represent what we do not yet know in Ohm's law.)…”

Suprathermal Electron Acceleration Perpendicular to the Magnetic Field in the Topside Ionosphere

“…Clear examples can be found in the perpendicular electron acceleration event on 3 September 2014 from 09:23:48.5 UT to 09:23:49.3 UT (perp_7) and many others presented in the supporting information. In these cases, counter‐streaming electrons can excite plasma waves, sometimes accompanied by the feature of electron holes, through two‐stream instabilities (Gurnett & Bhattacharjee, ; Oppenheim et al, ). This mechanism may be relevant when fluxes of upgoing electrons becomes comparable to background cold electrons.…”

“…The heated electrons may have significant influences on small‐scale ion upflows (Fernandes et al, ; Shen et al, ) since electrons may flow upward adiabatically and drive ambipolar electric fields that pull heavy ions upward the Earth's magnetic field (Liu et al, ; Seo et al, ). Elevated perpendicular electron temperatures may also play a role in plasma wave instabilities that can take place in the topside ionosphere (Gary & Wang, ; Gurnett & Bhattacharjee, ; Kindel & Kennel, ).…”