Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion

Basic preparation on phenomenological aspects, theoretical models and experimental methods in plasma physics, which allow to treat specific problems in astrophysics, in the context of controlled thermonuclear fusion and in technological plasma-based processes.

At the end of the course the student will be able to:
- define the plasma state, provide examples of different types of plasma and explain the parameters that characterize them;
- analyze the motion of charged particles in electric and magnetic fields;
- distinguish the single particle approach, fluid approach and kinetic statistical approach to describe different plasma phenomena;
- explain the concept of cutoff and resonance and describe various types of waves in plasmas;
- discuss the interaction between particles and waves;
- discuss technical applications of plasma and explain the most important methods for the production and diagnostics of plasma in the laboratory;
- demonstrate an understanding of the principles of confinement in a toroidal magnetic field configuration and describe the basic principles of tokamak operation;
- explain the use of thermonuclear fusion for energy production, discuss plasma confinement problems and current directions of research;
- demonstrate an understanding of the processes related to plasmas in the near Earth environment, interplanetary space and astrophysical objects.