ECE 5174 - Introduction to Plasma Science (3C)

Underlying physical processes and basic computational techniques for laboratory, space, and technological plasma environments including single particle motion, fluid and kinetic theory of plasmas, plasma waves and instabilities, diffusion and resistivity, and nonlinear effects.

In general, the linkage of plasmas to modern technology is becoming as ubiquitous as their existence in the universe. Plasma environments exist in space, the laboratory, and various technologies including semi-conductor processing, various biological applications, lasers, photonics, fusion energy, and propulsion systems. Natural plasmas in the near earth space environment also adversely impact modern technologies including navigation and communication systems, power systems, spacecraft, and transpolar aviation. This course provides students with the fundamental plasma principles for application to a wide range of applications from fundamental science in the laboratory and near earth space environment to their application to a plethora of modern technology. The course covers all important plasma phenomena including single particle motion, plasma waves and instabilities, diffusion, resistivity, conductivity, collisional processes, as well as a brief introduction to nonlinear effects. Both fluid and kinetic treatments of space plasmas will be provided as well as a brief introduction to computational techniques for plasmas. Such fundamental knowledge is critical to understanding the broad spectrum of issues in plasma science, engineering, and technology research.