1st Edition

Introduction to Plasma Dynamics

By A. I. Morozov Copyright 2013
    834 Pages 397 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    As the twenty-first century progresses, plasma technology will play an increasing role in our lives, providing new sources of energy, ion–plasma processing of materials, wave electromagnetic radiation sources, space plasma thrusters, and more. Studies of the plasma state of matter not only accelerate technological developments but also improve the understanding of natural phenomena. Beginning with an introduction to the characteristics and types of plasmas, Introduction to Plasma Dynamics covers the basic models of classical diffuse plasmas used to describe such phenomena as linear and shock waves, stationary flows, elements of plasma chemistry, and principles of plasma lasers.

    The author presents specific examples to demonstrate how to use the models and to familiarize readers with modern plasma technologies. The book describes structures of magnetic fields—one- and zero-dimensional plasma models. It considers single-, two-, and multi-component simulation models, kinetics and ionization processes, radiation transport, and plasma interaction with solid surfaces. The text also examines self-organization and general problems associated with instabilities in plasma systems. In addition, it discusses cosmic plasma dynamic systems, such as Earth’s magnetosphere, spiral nebulas, and plasma associated with the Sun.

    This text provides wide-range coverage of issues related to plasma dynamics, with a final chapter addressing advanced plasma technologies, including plasma generators, plasma in the home, space propulsion engines, and controlled thermonuclear fusion. It demonstrates how to approach the analysis of complex plasma systems, taking into account the diversity of plasma environments. Presenting a well-rounded introduction to plasma dynamics, the book takes into consideration the models of plasma phenomena and their relationships to one another as well as their applications.

    Introduction
    What is plasma?
    Region of rarefied non-relativistic plasma in the coordinates n, T
    History of plasma investigations
    Features of plasma research

    Fields, particles, blocks (point models)
    Electromagnetic fields
    Movement of particles in electromagnetic fields
    Block (‘zero-dimensional’) models of plasma systems
    Elements of classic corpuscular optics (CCO)
    Dielectric permittivity and waves in homogeneous cold plasma
    Block models of pulsed plasma systems (pulsed plasma guns and Z-pinches)
    Simplest models of static magnetic traps

    One-fluid plasma models
    Special features of hydrodynamic models
    Examples of Euler hydrodynamics problems
    One-fluid magnetic hydrodynamics (MHD)
    MHD statics
    Linear MHD waves in homogeneous plasma
    Stationary plasma flows in the transverse magnetic field
    Numerical modelling of MHD flows

    Two-fluid hydrodynamic plasma models
    Equations of two-fluid hydrodynamics
    Electron magnetic hydrodynamics. Generalised Ohm’s law
    Hall structures
    Static configurations in the two-fluid hydrodynamics
    Linear waves in homogeneous plasma (two-fluid model)
    Dissipation-free axial-symmetric flows in the two-component hydrodynamics
    Numerical and experimental studies of (quasi-) steady flows in coaxial systems with the intrinsic magnetic field
    Dynamics of plasma flows in magnetic fields

    Collisionless kinetic models of processes in plasma Vlasov-Maxwell equations
    Initial concepts
    Vlasov-Maxwell equations
    ‘Static’ kinetic configurations
    Kinetics of waves in plasma at H0 = 0
    Oscillations of two-component plasma
    Quasi-linear approximation

    Kinetics of two-component plasma in classic collisions
    Introduction
    Kinetics of colliding charged particles
    Transfer equations in two-fluid hydrodynamics
    Examples of collisional relaxation in Coulomb plasma
    Effect of the thermal force on equilibrium and heat transfer in plasma configuration
    Kinetics of departure of plasma particles from traps
    Plasma optics (hybrid models)
    Boltzmann–Davydov kinetic equation for electrons in weakly ionised plasma

    Plasma processes with transformation of particles and radiation
    Introduction
    Velocity of transformation processes
    Elementary radiation processes
    Radiation transition equation (photon kinetics)
    Schemes for describing the dynamics of the particles of transforming plasma
    Radiation value of the ion in the coronal model
    Volume processes in stationary plasma thrusters (SPT) and their similarity laws
    Shock waves with radiation
    Flows of ionising plasma in the coaxial
    Glow and arc discharges
    Systems using separated excitation levels of particles

    Interaction of plasma with the surface of solids
    Introduction
    Processes on the surface of the solid
    Electron boundary layers
    Examples of boundary processes with heavy particles taking part
    Surface-determined discharges (using the stationary plasma thruster as the example
    Examples of near electrode processes
    Dusty plasma

    Instabilities and self-organisation of plasma dynamic systems
    Examples of identical hydrodynamic and plasma instabilities
    Examples of specific MHD perturbations of plasma systems
    Modelling equations of ‘autonomous’ plasma structures (‘auto-structures’)
    Stochasticity of the processes in plasma
    Active methods of stabilising plasma instabilities

    Processes in cosmos and plasma dynamics
    Planetary vortices. Spiral nebulas
    Magnetosphere of the Earth
    The Sun
    On the evolution of the stars of the main sequence

    Examples of modern plasma technologies
    Plasma generators
    Plasma in the home
    Formation of structures on solids by plasma technology
    Ion and plasma space propulsion engines
    The problem of controlled thermonuclear fusion (CTF)
    From generators of multiply-charged ions to the island of stability and black holes in the experiment

    Appendix A: Comments on the topology of the magnetic field
    Appendix B: Inertial controlled thermonuclear synthesis using liners
    Appendix C: Reconnection of lines of force in plasma
    Appendix D: Ion magnetrons and thrusters with an anodic layer
    Appendix E: Tokamaks as a possible reactor for D–T synthesis
    Appendix F: High β in large tokamaks
    Appendix G: Ionisation of atoms and ions by electronic impact

    Literature
    Index

    Biography

    Professor A. I. Morozov was one of the founders of plasma dynamics. His main scientific interests included plasma accelerators, plasma optics, magnetic plasma sustainment, and philosophy of science. He played a major role in the development and construction of space stationary plasma engines and worked at the Institute of Atomic Energy and the Kurchatov Institute in Moscow.