Plasma physics intro
Undergraduate · Physics
Syllabus focus
Topics typically covered
Standard syllabus
Plasma fundamentals
- Quasi-neutrality and Debye length
- Plasma frequency and critical density
- Single-particle motions in E and B fields
- Collisions and mean free path
- Classification: thermal vs non-thermal plasmas
Fluid and MHD descriptions
- Two-fluid equations (ions and electrons)
- Magnetohydrodynamics and frozen-in flux
- Alfvén waves and magnetosonic modes
- Instabilities: Rayleigh–Taylor and kink (intro)
- Sheaths and boundary layers
Applications
- Magnetic confinement fusion: tokamak basics
- Inertial confinement and laser fusion
- Space plasmas: solar wind and magnetospheres
- Industrial plasmas for etching and deposition
- Plasma propulsion for spacecraft
STEM / applied
Fusion engineering
- Lawson criterion and triple product
- Divertor heat loads and materials challenges
- Neutral beam and RF heating systems
- Tritium breeding blankets overview
- ITER and private fusion startup landscape
Diagnostics and labs
- Langmuir probes and Thomson scattering
- Spectroscopy for temperature and density
- Magnetic loop and flux measurements
- Vacuum and microwave safety in plasma labs
- Data analysis for fluctuation spectra
Astrophysical and space
- Coronal heating problem context
- Magnetic reconnection in solar flares
- Van Allen belts and radiation belts
- Pulsar magnetospheres (qualitative)
- Connecting lab plasmas to heliophysics missions
Study units
Each unit includes a study guide, worksheets, review, practice test, and answer key. One unit is free; subscribe for the full class.
- Plasma fundamentals
Quasi-neutrality and Debye length
Coming soon - Fluid and MHD descriptions
Two-fluid equations (ions and electrons)
Coming soon - Applications
Magnetic confinement fusion: tokamak basics
Coming soon
Notes
Topics reflect common upper-division physics syllabi at US colleges and universities. Prerequisites, lab pairing, and mathematical depth vary by department.