22.611j Introduction to Plasma Physics

22.611j/8.613j Introduction to Plasma Physics

MIT Fall Term 2022

Staff

Prof Ian Hutchinson (ihutch@mit.edu) NW17-135, 3-8760
TA: Shon Patrik Mackie (smackie@mit.edu)
Admin: Valerie Censabella (censabella@psfc.mit.edu) NW17-133, 3-5456

Course Educational Objectives

  1. Introduce the fundamental physics of plasma, the fourth state of matter, and its unique features as a physical medium.
  2. Become familiar with classical charged-particle orbits in EM fields.
  3. Appreciate quantitatively the [un]importance of collisions in plasmas.
  4. See how self-consistent interactions lead to new collective plasma phenomena such as shielding, waves, and pressure equilibrium.
  5. Understand the different representations of plasmas as continuum fluids.
  6. Be able to connect specialist knowledge of plasma phenomena to fusion energy research and wider physics and engineering applications in astrophysics, space, and industry.

Grade Basis

%
Homework (problem sets)25
Mid-term (1.5hr closed book)30
Final (3 hr closed book) 40
Class (interactions) 5

Prerequisites

• Partial differential equations, vector calculus,
• Electromagnetism, including Maxwell's equations and plane waves.
• Complex analysis including Fourier-Laplace transforms and contour integration.
• Elementary kinetic theory of gases.


Outline of lecture topics and schedule

Only approximate, subject to adjustment. Lectures in NW14-1112 at 10:30am unless otherwise indicated.
September          8     Introduction. Basic plasma properties.
    13     15     Debye shielding: collective effects.
    20     22     Charged particle motion in EM fields.
    27     29     Coulomb collisions: cross-sections, relaxation.
October      4      6     Transport processes: fluid descriptions.
        13     Columbus Day. Diamagnetism.
    18     20     APS DPP meeting. Mid Term Exam
    25     27     MHD equilibrium. MHD Dynamics.
November     1     3     Two-fluid plasmas.
     8     10     Cold plasma waves in a magnetic field.
    15     17     Microscopic to fluid plasma descriptions.
    22         Thanksgiving.
    29     1     Vlasov-Maxwell kinetic theory.
December      6      8     Linear Landau damping and growth.
    13         Revision or Contingency
           
    19         Exam Week. Final

Recommended Books

This course will be taught mostly from my notes which are available on the web at http://silas.psfc.mit.edu/introplasma/. The book of Freidberg follows similar paths but with slightly different details. It might also be useful for the Fusion Energy course. Chen gives a gentler introduction to the physics. Other books are listed for interest and reference.


1. General Plasma Physics
  Elementary
- J.P. Freidberg, Plasma Physics and Fusion Energy, Cambridge University Press. 2008
- F.F. Chen, Introduction to Plasma Physics, 2nd edition, Plenum Press, 1984.

  Intermediate
-R.J. Goldston and P.H. Rutherford, Introduction to Plasma Physics, IOP Publ., 1995.
-R.D. Hazeltine and F.L. Waelbroeck, The framework of plasma physics, Perseus Books, 1998.
   See also
-P.C. Clemmow and J.P. Dougherty, Electrodynamics of Particles and Plasmas, Addison-Wesley, 1969.
-T.J.M. Boyd and J.J. Sanderson, The Physics of Plasmas, Cambridge University Press 2003.
-G. Schmidt, Physics of high temperature Plasmas, 2nd edition, Academic Press, 1979. (recommended for theory of particle orbits)
-R. Dendy (editor), Plasma Physics, Cambridge University Press, 1993. (recommended for specific chapters on space and plasmas and on industrial plasmas)

  Advanced
-N.A. Krall and A.W. Trivelpiece, Principles of Plasma Physics, McGraw-Hill, 1973, reissued by San Francisco Press, 1986.
-Abraham Bers, Plasma Physics and Fusion Plasma Electrodynamics Oxford University Press, 2016 (everything that the former MIT prof taught about plasmas, published posthumously. Too expensive to buy.)

2. Plasma Waves
-T.H. Stix, Waves in Plasmas, American Institute of Physics, 1992.

3. Plasma Diagnostics
-I.H. Hutchinson, Principles of Plasma Diagnostics, Cambridge University Press, 2002.

4. Magnetic Confinement Fusion
-K Lackner, M Kikuchi, and M Q Tran, Fusion Physics IAEA, 2012.
-K. Miyamoto, Plasma Physics for Nuclear Fusion, MIT Press, Revised Edition, 1989.
-J. Wesson, Tokamaks, (four editions, too expensive) 4th edition, Oxford UP, 2011.

5. Plasmas in Astrophysics and Space
-R Kulsrud, Plasma Physics for Astrophysics, Princeton Series in Astrophysics; 2005.
-T. Tajima and K. Shibata, Plasma Astrophysics, Addison-Wesley, 1997.
-R.A. Treumann and W. Baumjohann, Advanced Space Plasma Physics, Imperial College Press, 1997.

Academic Expectations for Homeworks

1. You are encouraged to do as much as possible of the problem sets on your own. This is the most effective way to learn, provided that you are not just spending hours and hours stuck.
2. You are permitted to consult with other students in the course concerning points that you don't understand or when you are stuck. However, it is recommended that you do not develop a collaborative solution to problems. Also it is required that your solutions be written out separately and submitted in your own words.
3. No collaboration or consultation will be permitted on the exams. One good reason to get into the habit of doing the work yourself!
4. You may consult books or journal articles to assist if needed. If you do draw upon such materials, you should give the reference.
5. There may, in some cases, be solutions from previous years to problems in the homeworks or ones very like them, available from the reading room or from more senior students. It is not permitted to use or consult these solutions. To do so would invalidate the process of using the homework marks as part of the course grade, and disadvantage those who avoided such use. Please regard this as a point of academic honour, and avoid the practice.


File translated from TEX by TTH, version 4.12.