Theoretical Plasma Physics

Physics 242A    Fall 2009

Tu-Th 11:00-12:30 81 Evans Hall

Prof. Jonathan Wurtele

Course Information 242A will provide a broad introduction to plasma theory Instructor: Professor Jonathan S. Wurtele 441 Birge Hall, 643-1575 or 486-6572 (LBNL) Wurtele@physics.berkeley.edu Lecture: Tu-Th 11:00-12:30 81 Evans Hall Recitation: W3-4 70 Evans Hall. Optional if we are going over homework, required if we are having an outside speaker. Office hours: Tu-Th 1:30-2:30 or by appointment URL: Campus 242A website Discussion: TBA. Text: Paul M. Bellan, Fundamentals of Plasma Physics [should be available in the student store] Syllabus: We will cover the most of the material in Bellan’s textbook during the year (242AB). In 242A we should cover Chap. 1-9. See this table of contents link Some topics, such as radiation generation (free electron lasers) and nonneutral plasmas will go beyond the coverage text. Grading: Based on homework assignments . Homework 1: HW1due in class Sep. 3[changed to Sep. 8] is here Reading1:  Chapter 1 of the text (by Sep. 1). Homework 2: HW2 due in class Thursday Sep. 17 is here Reading 2:  Chapter 2 of the text (by Sep. 17). Homework 3: HW3 due in class Tuesday Oct. 13 is here Reading 3:  Chapter 3 by October 15. Homework 4: HW4 due in class Thursday Oct. 29 is here Reading 4:  Chapter 4. Additional references: Introductory Chen, Introduction to Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion General theory:     R. Hazeltine and F. Waelbroeck, The Framework of Plasma Physics     Nishikawa and Wakatani, Plasma Physics     Gurnett and Bhattacharjee, Introduction to Plasma Physics: With Space and             Laboratory Applications Nicholson, Introduction to Plasma Theory [out of print] Fusion: Freidberg, Plasma Physics and Fusion Energy Plasma Processing: Lieberman and Lichtenberg,     Principles of Plasma Discharges and Materials Processing, 2nd Edition Computational Plasma Physics:     Birdsall and Langdon, Plasma Physics via Computer Simulation     Hockney and Eastwood, Computer Simulation Using Particles Plasma Waves: Stix, Waves in Plasmas Laser-Plasma: Kruer, The Physics of Laser-Plasma Interactions A list of plasma books Textbooks and courses online: MIT Introductory Plasma Course: http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Nuclear-Engineering/22-611JFall-2006/CourseHome/ U. Texas: Richard Fitzpatrick’s The Physics of Plasmas Blandford and Thorne's Applications of Classical Physics (Chapters 17-21)

Plasmas on the WWW General Plasma Physics Links: (browse these for compendiums of plasma links) Download a copy of The NRL Plasma Formulary APS Division of Plasma Physics: http://www.apsdpp.org/ A concise international listing of plasma physics research institutions: http://plasma-gate.weizmann.ac.il/PlasmaI.html Perspectives on Plasmas: http://www.plasmas.org/ Plasmas: Science, Technology, Applications: http://www.plasmas.com/index.html Russian books and links at: http://www.cisp-publishing.com FusEdWeb: LLNL/PPPL fusion course (for a general audience) General Atomics: http://fusioned.gat.com/ Princeton Plasma Physics Lab: http://www.pppl.gov The fusion program is managed by: http://wwwofe.er.doe.gov/ Some UCB and LBNL groups engaged in plasma related research include Bearm and Plasma Theory (Wurtele Group) Nonneutral Plasma Physics and Antihydorgen (Fajans Group) Plasma Processing Laboratory (EECS) Plasma Theory and Simulation Group (EECS) Space Physics Research Group (Space Sciences Laboratory) Fusion Engineering (Nuclear Engineering) Plasma Processing (Chemistry) Accelerator and fusion research (LBNL) Center for Beam Physics (LBNL) Heavy Ion Fusion (LBNL) LOASIS (LBNL) Plasma Applications (LBNL) Berkeley Astrophysical Fluids Group (Astronomy) MHD and Astrophysical Plasmas(Astronomy) NRC Reports (online overviews of aspects of plasma research) Frontiers in High Energy Density Physics: The X-Games of Contemporary Science (2003) Plasma Science: Advancing Knowledge in the National Interest (2007) Plasma Science: From Fundamental Research to Technological Applications (1995) Burning Plasma: Bringing a Star to Earth (2004) An Assessment of the Department of Energy's Office of Fusion Energy Sciences Program (2001)