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Curriculum

Class Descriptions:

    PHYS 481

    This course is an introduction to plasma phenomena, described using single-particle, fluid, and kinetic models. Prerequisites are calculus-based introductory, junior-level electromagnetic theory, and some familiarity with differiential equations.

    The text used is F. F. Chen, Introduction to Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion Volume 1. Plasma Physics (Plenum Press, New York, 1984)



    PHYS 781

    This course is a survey of plasma phenomena, described using single-particle, fluid and kinetic models. Prerequisite is a graduate-level course on electromagnetic theory (may be concurrent).

    The text used is R. J. Goldston and P. H. Rutherford, Introduction to Plasma Physics (Institute of Physics Publishing, Bristol, 1995)



    PHYS 782

    This advanced course focuses on using plasma simulation to develop and refine one's physical understanding and intuition of phenomena encountered in plasma physics research. The course includes projects that involve actual simulating. Prerequisite is a graduate-level course on electromagnetic theory (may be concurrent) and PHYS 481.

    The text used is C. K. Birdsall and A. B. Langdon, Plasma Physics via Computer Simulation (Adam Hilger, New York, 1991)



    PHYS 783

    This course focuses on advanced applications of kinetic theory to the study of plasmas and emphasizes the kinetic treatment of plasma waves. Prerequisites are PHYS 734 and either PHYS 781 or PHYS 782.

    The text used is D. G. Swanson, Plasma Waves (Academic Press, New York, 1989)



    PHYS 784

    Ideal Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) represents the simplest self-consistent model describing the macroscopic equilibrium and stability of plasma. This advanced course provides an in-depth introduction to this relatively mature theory within the field of plasma physics. Analytic theory is emphasized to develop a physical understanding of the ideal MHD model, to describe the equilibrium of various magnetic geometries, and to evaluate the stability properties of ideal MHD equilibria. Prerequisites are PHYS 734 and either PHYS 781 or PHYS 782.

    Texts used are J. P. Friedburg Ideal Magnetohydrodynamics (Plenum Press, New York, 1987);  Ortolani and Schnack, Magnetohydrodynamics of Plasma Relaxation (World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd.,
    New Jersey, 1993)