Collisional Transport in Magnetized Plasmas

by Per Helander, Dieter J. Sigmar

Overview

Here is a text on theoretical plasma physics, the science of extremely hot gases which make up most of the universe and are used extensively in fusion energy research. The authors treat a topic at the heart of this subject, transport theory, which predicts the electrical and thermal properties of the plasma. This comprehensive book is directed at graduate students in physics and professional research physicists, in particular, fusion energy scientists and space physicists.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521807982
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	01/17/2002
Series:	Cambridge Monographs on Plasma Physics , #4
Pages:	310
Product dimensions:	7.13(w) x 10.04(h) x 0.79(d)

About the Author

PER HELANDER is a research scientist at the Culham Science Centre of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority. After obtaining his doctorate from Chalmers University of Technology in Göteborg, Sweden, he held a post-doctoral position at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he remains a regular visitor. His scientific interests include most topics of theoretical plasma physics, in particular kinetic theory.

DIETER SIGMAR received his doctorate from the Technical University of Vienna where he is now a.o. Professor of Theoretical Physics. He has had a long career in the US Fusion Program, and is now retired from his position as head of the Plasma Theory Group at the Plasma Science and Fusion Center at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is a fellow of the American Physical Society, and Corresponding Member of the Austrian Academy of Sciences.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction; 2. Kinetic and fluid descriptions of a plasma; 3. The collision operator; 4. Plasma fluid equations; 5. Transport of a cylindrical plasma; 6. Particle motion; 7. Toroidal plasma; 8. Transport in toroidal plasmas; 9. Transport in the Pfirsch–Schlüter regime; 10. Transport in the plateau regime; 11. Transport in the banana regime; 12. The moment approach to neoclassical theory; 13. Advanced topics; 14. Experimental evidence for neoclassical transport.

Editorial Reviews

'… invaluable for space-plasma and astrophysical theorists who have a background knowledge of plasma theory and who wish to understand an important strand of laboratory theory that will have vital implications in future for their fields.' Eric Priest, The Observatory

'It is a very welcome addition, indeed asset, to the subject.' Journal of Plasma Physics

'It seems that the authors know how to build a bridge between a manual and a research book. This monograph will be useful to advanced graduate students and scientists that are working in plasma physics.' Zentralblatt MATH

From the Publisher

A research scientist at the Culham Science Center of the UK Atomic Energy Authority and a professor of theoretical physics at the U. of Vienna, Austria together provide a self-contained treatment of the subject of collisional transport theory, a concept of central importance to modern plasma physics. The volume focuses on both fundamental theoretical concepts and mathematical techniques of kinetic theory and the use of these tools in calculating the most important transport properties of highly ionized plasmas. Beginning with elementary concepts and developing the theory through to contemporary research frontiers, this volume covers kinetic and fluid descriptions of a plasma; the collision operator; plasma fluid equations; transport in a cylindrical plasma; particle motion; toroidal plasmas; transport in toroidal plasmas; transport in the Pfirsch- Schlüter regime; transport in the plateau regime; transport in the banana regime; the moment approach to neoclassical theory; and a selection of advanced topics. A final chapter explores experimental evidence for neoclassical transport. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)