Plasma: The Fourth State of Matter - Brossura

Frank-Kamenetskii, D.

 
9781468418989: Plasma: The Fourth State of Matter

Sinossi

The idea for this book originated with the late Igor Vasil 'evich Kurchatov. He suggested to the author the need for a comprehen­ sive presentation of the fundamental ideas of plasma physics with­ out c'omplicated mathematics. This task has not been an easy one. In order to clarify the physical nature of plasma phenomena with­ out recourse to intricate mathematical expressions it is neces­ sary to think problems through very carefully. Thus, the book did not come into being by inspiration, but required a considerable ef­ fort. The aim of the book is to provide a beginning reader with an elementary knowledge of plasma physics. The book is primar­ ily written for engineers and technicians; however, we have also tried to make it intelligible to the reader whose knowledge ofphys­ ics is at the advanced-freshman level. To understand the book it is also necessary to have a working knowledge of electricity and magnetism of the kind available in present-:day programs in junior colleges. This book is not intended for light reading. It is designed for the reader for whom plasma physics will be a continuing in­ terest. We have confidence that such a reader will want to broad­ en his knowledge by consulting more specialized literature. Thus, we not only include simple expressions but also special important terms.

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Contenuti

Production of a Plasma.- Plasma Diagnostics.- Quasi Neutrality and Charge Separation.- Polarization of a Plasma.- Gas Discharges.- Plasma Thermodynamics.- Elementary Processes.- Plasmas and Radiation.- Equilibrium and the Stationary Ionization States.- Plasmas as Conducting Fluids.- Field Diffusion and Plasma Diffusion.- Applications of the Conducting-Fluid Model.- Toroidal Plasma Traps.- Electromagnetic Pumping and Plasma Acceleration.- Magnetohydrodynamic Flow.- The Two-Fluid Model.- Plasma Conductivity in a Magnetic Field.- Plasma as an Ensemble of Independent Particles.- Drift Motion.- Electric Drift.- Conservation of Magnetic Moment.- The Adiabatic Traps.- Drift in an Inhomogeneous Field.- Polarization Drift.- Rotating Plasmas.- The Magnetization Current.- The Quasi-hydrodynamic Approximation.- Hydromagnetic Plasma Instabilities.- Pinch Instability.- Stabilization by Frozen-in Magnetic Fields.- Interchange or Flute Instabilities.- Diffusion of Opposed Fields.- Oscillations and Waves in Plasmas.- Electrostatic Plasma Oscillations.- Electrostatic Oscillations with Ions.- Plasma Oscillations in a Magnetic Field.- Dispersion near the Cyclotron Frequency.- Oblique Waves and General Classification of Oscillations.- Propagation of Radio Waves through a Plasma.- Plasma Resonators and Waveguides.- Excitation and Damping of Oscillations.- Shock Waves in Plasmas.- Random Processes.- The Drunkard’s Walk.- The Mean Free Path and the Collision Cross Section.- Collisions with Neutral Particles.- Coulomb Collisions.- The Establishment of Thermal Equilibrium.- Transport Processes in a Magnetic Field.- Ambipolar Diffusion.- A Recent Plasma Experiment.

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