Plasma Formulary for Physics, Astronomy, and Technology

This collection of fundamental formulae, up-to-date references and definitions in plasma physics is vital to anyone with an interest in plasmas or ionized gases, whether in physics, astronomy or engineering.

Both theorists and experimentalists will find this book useful, as it incorporates the latest results and findings, with extended coverage of fusion plasma, plasma in stellar winds, reaction rates, engineering plasma and many other topics.

The text is also unique in treating astrophysical plasmas, fusion plasmas, industrial plasmas and low temperature plasmas as aspects of the same discipline.

Plasmaphysik hat sich in den letzen Jahren rapide entwickelt und Einfluss auf verschiedene andere Forschungsgebiete in Physik, Chemie und Astrophysik, aber auch in der industriellen Praxis gewonnen. An all jene, die sich mit Plasmen oder ionisierten Gasen beschäftigen, wendet sich diese Nachschlagewerk: Es bietet eine kompakte, übersichtliche Zusammenstellung grundlegender Formeln und Definitionen, illustriert durch Tabellen und Abbildungen. Auf langwierige Ableitungen wird verzichtet; ein mathematischer Anhang vermittelt die wichtigsten verwendeten Methoden. Ein Literaturverzeichnis auf dem neuesten Stand gibt Anregungen zum tieferen Eindringen in die Materie.
Alle Aspekte der Plasmaphysik werden erfasst, inklusive Fusionsplasma - ein unverzichtbares Nachschlagewerk für Physiker, Astrophysiker und Ingenieure.

Preface to the Second Edition XIII

Preface to the First Edition XV

1 Basic Physical Data 1

1.1 Basic Physical Units 1

1.2 Maxwell's Electromagnetic Equations 2

1.3 Special Relativity 3

1.4 Physical Constants 4

1.5 Dimensional Analysis 5

1.6 Ionization Energies of Gas-Phase Atoms and Molecules 6

1.7 Electron Affinities of Selected Atoms and Molecules 8

1.8 Atomic and Molecular Notation 9

1.9 Characteristic Parameters for Typical Plasmas 17

2 Basic Plasma Parameters 25

2.1 Notation 25

2.2 Natural Timescales 26

2.3 Natural Scale Lengths 28

2.4 Natural Speeds 29

2.5 Miscellaneous Parameters 30

2.6 Nondimensional Parameters 32

2.7 Parameter Relationships 34

3 Discharge Plasmas and Elementary Processes 35

3.1 Notation 35

3.2 Plasma Sheath 36

3.3 Double Layer 39

3.4 Diffusion Parameters 40

3.5 Ionization 43

3.6 Ionization Equilibrium 50

4 Radiation53

4.1 Notation 53

4.2 Radiation from a Moving Point Charge 54

4.3 Cyclotron and Synchrotron Radiation 60

4.4 Bremsstrahlung 64

4.5 Radiation Scattering 64

5 Kinetic Theory 73

5.1 Notation 73

5.2 Fundamentals 74

5.3 Boltzmann Equation 75

5.4 Maxwellian Distribution 75

5.5 Relativistic Maxwellian 77

5.6 Vlasov Description 79

5.7 Collisional Modeling 81

5.8 Driven Systems 83

6 Plasma Transport 89

6.1 Notation 89

6.2 Basic Definitions 90

6.3 Binary Collisions 90

6.4.1 Drifts 95

6.5 Transport Coefficients 99

7 Plasma Waves 107

7.1 Notation 107

7.2 Waves in Cold Plasmas 108

7.3 Fluid Plasmas 117

7.4 Waves in Hot Plasmas 122

8 Flows 129

8.1 Notation 129

8.2 Fundamental Results 130

8.3 Hydromagnetic Flows 131

8.4 Solar Wind 136

8.5 Neutral Gas/Magnetized Plasma Flows 138

8.6 Beams 139

8.7 Hydromagnetic Shocks 145

8.8 Ion-Acoustic Shock 153

9 Equilibria and Instabilities 155

9.1 Notation 155

9.2 General Considerations 156

9.3 Fluid Equilibria 157

9.4 Fluid Instabilities 161

9.5 Kinetic Instabilities 173

10 Mathematics 177

10.1 Vector Algebra 177

10.2 Vector Calculus 178

10.3 Integral Theorems 183

10.4 Matrices 184

10.5 Eigenfunctions of the Curl Operator 188

10.6 Wave Scattering 189

10.7 Plasma Dispersion Function 194

Appendix Guide to Notation 197

List of Figures 201

List of Tables 203

References 205

Index 209

"... very useful and a handy reference ..." (IEEE Electrical Insulation Magazine)

"The present formulary is vital to anyone interested in plasmas, wheter in physics, astrophysics or engineering. It gives a quick reference to both the traditional and the latest formulae and findings." (Astronomische Nachrichten)

"... ein sehr nützliches und handliches Referenzwerk ..." (IEEE Electrical Insulation Magazine)

Professor Declan Diver serves as administrative head of the Astronomy & Astrophysics department of the university of Glasgow.
His research focuses on the analysis of plasmas, with particular emphasis on low-temperature gas-plasma mixtures, and high energy pair plasmas in a pulsar environment.
He also has a strong lecturing record, teaching courses on spherical trigonometry and positional astronomy, stellar evolution, special and general relativity, cosmology and plasma physics.

This expanded collection of fundamental formulae, references, definitions and data in plasma physics is vital to anyone with an interest in plasmas or ionized gases, whether in physics, astronomy or engineering.

Ranging over plasma waves, flows, beams, jets, instabilities, drifts, kinetic theory and fundamental data (including atomic and molecular data, and tokamak parameters), this handbook is an indispensable reference work for active plasma scientists, astrophysicists, industrialists and engineers, in experimental and theoretical applications. This text is unique in treating astrophysical plasmas, fusion plasmas, industrial plasmas and low temperature plasmas as aspects of the same discipline, offering key information in both cgs and SI units.