General Plasma Physics Lectures Notes

These notes summarize and explain the topics covered in a graduate-level introductory plasma physics course at Princeton University (General Plasma Physics I, Fall 2017). I first define what a plasma is and introduce some of its basic properties. I then discuss single particle motion, kinetic and fluid models of plasmas, and plasma waves.

Table of contents

Chapter 1: Basics

1.1 Definition of a plasma

1.2 Logical framework of plasma physics

1.3 Plasma oscillations

1.4 Debye shielding

1.5 Collisions in plasmas

• 1.5.1 Brief tutorial

• 1.5.2 Small- versus large-angle collisions

• 1.5.3 Collision timescales

1.6 Plasma length and time scales

Chapter 2: Single particle motion

2.1 Guiding center drifts

• 2.1.1 E cross B drift

• 2.1.2 Grad-B drift

• 2.1.3 Curvature drift

• 2.1.4 Polarization drift

• 2.1.5 Magnetization drift

• 2.1.6 Drift currents

2.2 Adiabatic invariants

• 2.2.1 General adiabatic invariant

• 2.2.2 First adiabatic invariant

• 2.2.3 Second adiabatic invariant

2.3 Mirror machine

2.4 Magnetic surfaces

Chapter 3: Kinetic theory

3.1 Klimontovich equation

3.2 Vlasov equation

• 3.2.1 Moments of the distribution function

• 3.2.2 Properties of collisionless Vlasov-Maxwell equations

• 3.2.3 Entropy of a distribution function

3.3 Collision operators

• 3.3.1 Heuristic estimate of collision operator

• 3.3.2 Strongly and weakly coupled plasmas

• 3.3.3 Properties of collision operators

• 3.3.4 Examples of collision operators

Chapter 4: Fluid models of plasmas

4.1 Multi-fluid model

• 4.1.1 Assumptions in multi-fluid model

• 4.1.2 Derivation of multi-fluid equations

• 4.1.3 Closure of multi-fluid equations

4.2 Generalized magnetohydrodynamics (MHD)

• 4.2.1 Assumptions in generalized MHD

• 4.2.2 Derivation of generalized MHD equations

4.3 Ideal MHD

• 4.3.1 Assumptions in ideal MHD

• 4.3.2 Derivation of ideal MHD

• 4.3.3 The electric field in ideal MHD

Chapter 5: Waves in plasmas

5.1 Waves in unmagnetized plasmas

• 5.1.1 Langmuir wave

• 5.1.2 Ion acoustic wave

• 5.1.3 Isothermal electrostatic waves don’t propagate

• 5.1.4 Electromagnetic plasma wave

5.2 Waves in magnetized plasmas

• 5.2.1 Shear Alfvén wave

• 5.2.2 Fast and slow MHD waves

5.3 Streaming instability