Plasma II

PHYS-424 / 6 credits

Teacher: Reimerdes Holger

Language: English

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 and inertial 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
  • Identify the main components and physics issues of magnetic confinement fusion

Teaching methods

Ex cathedra and exercises in class

Assessment methods

oral exam

Resources

Moodle Link

In the programs

  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: Oral (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Plasma II
  • Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: Oral (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Plasma II
  • Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: Oral (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Plasma II
  • Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: Oral (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Plasma II
  • Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: Oral (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Plasma II
  • Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional

Reference week

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