FYSS6360 Plasma Physics (5 cr)
Study level:
Advanced studies
Grading scale:
0-5
Language:
English, Finnish
Responsible organisation:
Department of Physics
Curriculum periods:
2017-2018, 2018-2019, 2019-2020
Description
Content
Recap on electromagnetism; definition of plasma and plasma conditions; magnetic confinement and plasma drifts; collisions in plasmas; particle distributions and reaction rates in low temperature plasmas; basics of magnetohydrodynamics; plasma waves; electromagnetic waves in plasmas; formation and typical diagnostics of laboratory plasmas
Completion methods
Assignments, examination, project work, numerical assignment
Assessment details
To pass the course, students need to have at least the minimum score defined by the teacher for assessments (such as assignments, project work, programming assignment and examination). The course grade is divided into component parts and each part is worth some percentage of the total grade.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this course, students will be able to explain the meaning of plasma conditions and use single particle approach to characterize plasma confinement and drifts. Students will be able to list collision processes and calculate corresponding rate coefficients as well as explain the role of distribution functions in the description of plasma processes. They will be able to distinguish the benefits and limitations of kinetic and magnetohydrodynamic plasma descriptions, classify plasma waves and describe the interactions mechanisms of electromagnetic radiation and plasmas. They will also be able to explain the formation of laboratory plasmas and describe methods to sustain them as well as analyze signals of typical plasma diagnostics methods.
Additional information
Every two years starting spring 2019.
Description of prerequisites
Students enrolling for this course are expected to understand the fundamentals of electrostatics and electromagnetism as well as be able to apply Laplace and Poinsson equations in problem solving. Students understand the fundamentals of atom and molecular physics, quantization of electron energy states, ionization, excitation and discharge of electron energy states. Student understands the continuation conditions for electromagnetic field and is able to apply them as well as understand how electromagnetic radiation is generated. They will understand how radiation progates in medium as well as significance of boundaries between substances for propagation of electromagnetic radiation. They know partition function and Boltzman distribution, the connection between statistical physics and thermodynamics, basic concepts of phase transitions and phase diagram as well as understand fundamentals of transport theory. In addition, they are able to apply numerical programming for problem solving and use computer simulations.
Completion methods
Method 1
Select all marked parts
Parts of the completion methods
x
Teaching (5 cr)
Type:
Participation in teaching
Grading scale:
0-5
Language:
English, Finnish