Scheda programma d'esame
KINETIC THEORY OF PLASMAS
FRANCESCO PEGORARO
Academic year2023/24
CoursePHYSICS
Code355BB
Credits6
PeriodSemester 2
LanguageEnglish

ModulesAreaTypeHoursTeacher(s)
PLASMI TEORIA CINETICAFIS/03LEZIONI36
FRANCESCO PEGORARO unimap
Obiettivi di apprendimento
Learning outcomes
Conoscenze

After completing the course the student will have a solid knowledge of the physics of high temperature dilute plasmas of interest for astrophysics, space physics, thermonuclear fusion studies and high-energy laser plasma interactions. The course is mostly theoretical. The course has an interdisciplinary perspective and is a needed prerequisite for all research activities in physical settings where plasmas are present from space to the laboratory.

Knowledge

After completing the course the student will have a solid knowledge of the physics of high temperature dilute plasmas of interest for astrophysics, space physics, thermonuclear fusion studies and high-energy laser plasma interactions. The course is mostly theoretical. The course has an interdisciplinary perspective and is a needed prerequisite for all research activities in physical settings where plasmas are present from space to the laboratory.

Modalità di verifica delle conoscenze

The assessment aims to ascertain the basic knowledge of kinetic plasma physics and, most importantly, the understanding of, and the ability to use the methods that have been developed for the study of a complex system like a plasma.

Assessment criteria of knowledge

The assessment aims to ascertain the basic knowledge of kinetic plasma physics and, most importantly, the understanding of, and the ability to use the methods that have been developed for the study of a complex system like a plasma.

Methods:

  • Final oral exam

Further information:
The oral exam consists in a seminar on an agreed subject (the seminar is based on reading and understanding a research article) with free questions related to the seminar subject and covering the material of the course.

Capacità

Being able at the end od the course to read  and understand a research article in plasma physics

Modalità di verifica delle capacità

Seminar on  a specific research article 

Comportamenti

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Modalità di verifica dei comportamenti

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Prerequisiti (conoscenze iniziali)

 

 

Mechanics

 

Statistical mechanics

Electrmagnetism in vacuum and in media

Relativistic kinematics

 

Indicazioni metodologiche

 

Learning activities:

  • attending lectures
  • participation in seminar

Attendance: Advised

Teaching methods

Delivery: face to face

Learning activities:

  • attending lectures
  • participation in seminar

Attendance: Advised

Teaching methods:

  • Lectures
Programma (contenuti dell'insegnamento)

Definition of high temperature dilute plasmas, derivation of Vlasov equation. Relationship with fluid plasma descriptions. Linear versus nonlinear plasma dynamics. Vlasov equilibria and plasma waves in a kinetic description; Landau damping. Waves in a magnetized plasma, the method of the characteristics. Low frequency, large scale limit of the kinetic plasma description. Plasma instabilities and anomalous transport properties of a plasma in regimes where thermodynamic equilibrium is absent even at a local level. Quasilinear theory and anomalous diffusion.

 

Syllabus

Definition of high temperature dilute plasmas, derivation of Vlasov equation. Relationship with fluid plasma descriptions. Linear versus nonlinear plasma dynamics. Vlasov equilibria and plasma waves in a kinetic description; Landau damping. Waves in a magnetized plasma, the method of the characteristics. Low frequency, large scale limit of the kinetic plasma description. Plasma instabilities and anomalous transport properties of a plasma in regimes where thermodynamic equilibrium is absent even at a local level. Quasilinear theory and anomalous diffusion.

Bibliografia e materiale didattico

Krall and Trivelpiece Principles of Plasma Physics or any standard textbook on kinetic plasma theory

Notes on specific subjects distributed by e-mail or on

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1EZbGv5OpY6UnEpzzgv30nlpUn5mOZ1v2

Bibliography

Krall and Trivelpiece Principles of Plasma Physics or any standard textbook on kinetic plasma theory

Indicazioni per non frequentanti

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Modalità d'esame
  • Final oral exam


The oral exam consists in a seminar on an agreed subject (the seminar is based on reading and understanding a research article) with free questions related to the seminar subject and covering the material of the course.

Altri riferimenti web

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1EZbGv5OpY6UnEpzzgv30nlpUn5mOZ1v2

Note

Lecture schedule and examination dates decided together with participating students

Teacher freely available for clarifications and suggestions in his office 

 

Updated: 31/08/2023 19:06