Plasma II
Summary
This course completes the knowledge in plasma physics that students have acquired in the previous two courses, with a discussion of different applications, in the fields of magnetic confinement and controlled fusion, astrophysical and space plasmas, and societal and industrial applications.
Content
A. Fusion energy
- Basics (nuclear reactions, the Lawson criterion)
- Magnetic Confinement: MHD model
- Magnetic Confinement: Tokamak equilibrium, instabilities and operational limits
- Magnetic Confinement: Transport - theoretical basis and phenomenology
- Magnetic Confinement: Heating, burning plasmas, ITER and route to a power plant
B. Industrial applications
- The basics of plasma discharges for industrial applications
- Examples of plasma applications in industry and medicine
C. Plasmas in nature
- Astrophysics and space plasmas
- Solar physics - radiation transport and dynamo
- Magnetic reconnection and particle acceleration
D. Plasma diagnostics
- Categories of plasma diagnostics
- Measurements of plasma properties, magnetic properties and processes at the plasma-material interface
Learning Prerequisites
Recommended courses
PHYS-324 Classical electrodynamics, PHYS-325 Introduction to plasma physics and PHYS-423 Plasma I.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, the student must be able to:
- Describe various applications of plasma physics
- Identify the main components and physics issues of magnetic confinement fusion
- Describe the main scientific issues in astrophysical plasmas
- Describe the main advantages of plasmas in industrial applications
- Describe the physics basis of key plasma diagnostics
- Work out / Determine when plasma effects are important
Teaching methods
Ex cathedra and exercises in class
Assessment methods
oral exam
In the programs
- Semester: Spring
- Exam form: Oral (summer session)
- Subject examined: Plasma II
- Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Semester: Spring
- Exam form: Oral (summer session)
- Subject examined: Plasma II
- Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Semester: Spring
- Exam form: Oral (summer session)
- Subject examined: Plasma II
- Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Semester: Spring
- Exam form: Oral (summer session)
- Subject examined: Plasma II
- Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Semester: Spring
- Exam form: Oral (summer session)
- Subject examined: Plasma II
- Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks