PLASMA

Phy 462: Plasma Physics
Prasad Subramanian
p.subramanian@iiserpune.ac.in
Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune
Subramanian Plasma Physics

Introduction
3 credit course offered to undergrad students of the 5th and

7th semesters and iPhD students at IISER Pune.

Introduction

Plasmas in various forms constitute over 95 % of the
observable universe.

Introduction

An understanding of plasma physics in the laboratory context
is key to the important push towards harnessing energy from
nuclear fusion.

Introduction

nuclear fusion.
This course will provide an overview of the theory of
magnetohydrodynamics and plasma physics with a view to
applications in astrophysics and in the laboratory.

Introduction

nuclear fusion.
This course will provide an overview of the theory of
magnetohydrodynamics and plasma physics with a view to
applications in astrophysics and in the laboratory.
Pre-requisites: Electrodynamics, kinetic theory/statistical
mechanics. Some familiarity with continuum/fluid dynamics is
helpful, but not essential.

Course Texts
Plasma Physics: An Introduction to the theory of

astrophysical, geophysical and laboratory plasmas: Peter A
Sturrock (Cambridge)
The physics of plasmas: T J M Boyd, J J Sanderson
(Cambridge)
The Physics of Fluids and Plasmas; Arnab Rai Choudhuri
(Cambridge)
Notes on Fluids by Eilek, notes on MHD by Spruit

Module I
Introduction and relevance: Thermonuclear fusion, Plasmas in

space Basic characteristics of plasmas - collisions, collective
effects, debye shielding, the plasma parameter, collective
plasma oscillations (Chap 2 Sturrock, Chap 1 B & S)

Module I

Orbit theory: Particle motion in electric and magnetic fields;
uniform nonuniform, static, time-varying. Adiabatic
invariants, particle drifts, applications to tokamaks and
particle motion in the Earth’s magnetic field (Chap 2 B & S,
Chaps 3, 4, 5 Sturrock)

Module I

Orbit theory: Particle motion in electric and magnetic fields;
uniform nonuniform, static, time-varying. Adiabatic
invariants, particle drifts, applications to tokamaks and
particle motion in the Earth’s magnetic field (Chap 2 B & S,
Chaps 3, 4, 5 Sturrock)
Quiz 1 (15 %)

Module II
Waves in plasmas: waves in cold plasmas, waves in warm

plasmas, the two stream instability, collisions in plasmas
(Chaps 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Sturrock)

Module II
Waves in plasmas: waves in cold plasmas, waves in warm

plasmas, the two stream instability, collisions in plasmas
(Chaps 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Sturrock)
Midterm exam (30 %)

Module III
Macroscopic (fluid) description of a plasma, equations of

magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), waves in MHD (Chaps 3, 4 B
& S, Chaps 11, 12, 14 Sturrock)

Module III
Macroscopic (fluid) description of a plasma, equations of

magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), waves in MHD (Chaps 3, 4 B
& S, Chaps 11, 12, 14 Sturrock)
Quiz 2 (15 %)

Module IV
Applications: the solar dynamo, the solar wind, jets from

accretion disk systems. Applications to fusion plasmas.

Module IV
Applications: the solar dynamo, the solar wind, jets from

accretion disk systems. Applications to fusion plasmas.
Final exam (40 %)

The context
Lab plasmas (mostly for thermonuclear fusion) - of great

interest as a clean, green, relatively risk-free energy source;

The context

interest as a clean, green, relatively risk-free energy source; the
main issue is confinement for long enough for fusion to occur

The context

Space/astrophysical plasmas (some 95+ % of “space” is
plasma);

The context

plasma); so all electromagnetic radiation from cosmic sources
propagate through plasma

The context

Roughly speaking, we can think of plasma as “ionized gas”

The context

Roughly speaking, we can think of plasma as “ionized gas” ;
so in addition to whatever properties a gas exhibits, its also
profoundly influenced by E and B (in fact, mostly B, as we’ll
see later) fields

The context

Roughly speaking, we can think of plasma as “ionized gas” ;
so in addition to whatever properties a gas exhibits, its also
profoundly influenced by E and B (in fact, mostly B, as we’ll
see later) fields
But to start with, lets briefly review some properties having to
do with gases/fluids

(Neutral) gases: kinetic/particle description vs continuum
Roughly speaking, as long as the number of particles N in

some representative macroscopic volume 1, the continuum
(fluid) description is okay


Alternatively, the mean free path λ for collisions between
particles a representative macroscopic lengthscale


particles a representative macroscopic lengthscale or the
collision timescale some macroscopic timescale;


collision timescale some macroscopic timescale; but what is
λ?


λ?
Think of a “gas” of density n (cm−3 ) comprising hard billiard
balls, each with radius a


λ?
The collision cross-section is σ = πa2 and λ ≈ (nσ)−1


λ?
In an ionized plasma, the collisions are Coulomb collisions,


λ?
with σc ≈ 7 × 10−13 lnΛT4−2 cm−2 and
λc ≈ 1012 T42 n−1 (lnΛ)−1 cm


λ?
with σc ≈ 7 × 10−13 lnΛT4−2 cm−2 and
λc ≈ 1012 T42 n−1 (lnΛ)−1 cm and there are some other
complications as well, such as charge screening, etc.

(Neutral) gases: bulk properties from kinetics
Consider a gas whose molecules are in thermodynamic

equilibrium. It has a definite distribution f (say,
Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution)


Total Number N = f d 3 xd 3 v
R


R
The average Rvelocity (if any) would be

hv i = (1/N) v f d 3 xd 3 v


R

hv i = (1/N) v f d 3 xd 3 v
The average kinetic energy would be
h(1/2)mv 2 i = (1/N) (1/2)mv 2 f d 3 xd 3 v . For a thermal
R
distribution, (i.e., a Maxwell-Boltzmann f ) we know that this

is equal to (3/2)kT


R

hv i = (1/N) v f d 3 xd 3 v
The average kinetic energy would be
h(1/2)mv 2 i = (1/N) (1/2)mv 2 f d 3 xd 3 v . For a thermal
R
distribution, (i.e., a Maxwell-Boltzmann f ) we know that this

is equal to (3/2)kT
The pressure of the gas is thus a macroscopic (fluid) concept,
representing a statistical average of the force per unit area
due to molecules striking the walls of a container.

Conservation laws from “average” properties
∂ρ
+ ∇ . (ρu) = 0 : Mass conservation
∂t

∂ρ
∂t
∂
(ρ u) + ∇ . (ρ u u) = −∇ . P + ρ g : Momentum conservation
∂t

∂ρ
∂t
∂
∂t
or, somewhat more simply,
Dρu
= −∇ P
Dt

∂ρ
∂t
∂
∂t
or, somewhat more simply,
Dρu
= −∇ P
Dt
with currents and magnetic fields, one has to include the Lorentz
force in the momentum equation:
Dρu
= −∇ P + J/c × B
Dt

“Particle” properties of an ionized plasma
What are the kinds of collisions


what sorts of screening effects are present (Debye shielding)


what sorts of screening effects are present (Debye shielding)
what are the all-important collective effects in a plasma

Debye shielding (from B & S)
A plasma is ionized, but on the whole, electrically neutral.

A plasma is ionized, but on the whole, electrically neutral. Q:
What are the scales over which electrical neutrality is valid?

One’d think the Coulomb influence of a charge in a plasma
would extend to infinity, but does it? Think of a small
overdensity in protons; a cloud of electrons would immediately
rush in to neutralize its influence

rush in to neutralize its influence (why only electrons?)

ncloud = ne exp(e φ/kTe ) (usual Boltzmann distribution with
φ → electrostatic potential)

But we know ∇2 φ = e ncloud /0 ;

But we know ∇2 φ = e ncloud /0 ; i.e.,
ne e 2

1 d 2 dφ φ
2
r = (ene /0 ) exp(e φ/kTe ) ≈ φ= 2
r dr dr 0 kTe λD
≈ is because φ → 0 as r → ∞, so the argument of the

exponent is small. Matching the behavior as r → 0 with that
as r → ∞, φ ∼ (1/r ) exp(−r /λD )
Debye shielding - another treatment (Sturrock)
Consider a neutral plasma

Consider a neutral plasma (neutral at large scales)

Consider a neutral plasma (neutral at large scales) in which we

change the ion density from n0 to (1 − δ)n0 over −L < x < L.


So how large/small should δ and/or L be if the plasma is to
remain quasi-neutral? (electron density is unchanged)


∇ .E = 4πξ → d 2 φ/dx 2 = 4πδn0 e


∇ .E = 4πξ → d 2 φ/dx 2 = 4πδn0 e
For |x| < L, the solution is φ = 2πδn0 e(x 2 − L2 ), and φ = 0
outside L (this is an assumption);


∇ .E = 4πξ → d 2 φ/dx 2 = 4πδn0 e
outside L (this is an assumption); in other words, outside of L,
the disturbance has no effect, and large-scale neutrality is
maintained


∇ .E = 4πξ → d 2 φ/dx 2 = 4πδn0 e
maintained
Specifically, at the origin, φ(0) = −2πδn0 eL2


∇ .E = 4πξ → d 2 φ/dx 2 = 4πδn0 e
maintained
Specifically, at the origin, φ(0) = −2πδn0 eL2
If electrons can “penetrate” from outside L all the way until
the origin simply with their thermal speeds, the perturbation
isn’t doing much, and the plasma still remains quasi-neutral;
i.e., (1/2)kT > eφ(0) = 2πδn0 e 2 L2

Debye shielding - contd
(1/2)kT > 2πδn0 e 2 L2 can be rewritten as δ < (λD /L)2 ,


where we have defined the Debye length by λ2D = kT /(4πne 2 )


So outside of the Debye length, the plasma is pretty much
neutral; i.e., the charge imbalance is screened; inside it, one
can expect large fluctuations.


So outside of the Debye length, the plasma is pretty much
neutral; i.e., the charge imbalance is screened; inside it, one
can expect large fluctuations.
Points to ponder:
why are we talking only about mobile electrons?
how about a moving test charge?
How about other processes; e.g., gravitational stratification,
that could lead to possible charge separation?

Plasma states in the universe (from B & S)

The Plasma parameter
Related to the Debye length: in our discussions of Debye
shielding, we were assuming an electron “fluid” of density ne ;

especially when we wrote ncloud = ne exp(e φ/kTe ) to
represent the response of electrons to an applied electro
potential φ

potential φ
So how good is this approximation?

potential φ
So how good is this approximation? Going by our discussion
about (neutral) kinetics vs fluids, its fair to say ne λ3D (which
goes by the name of the plasma parameter Λ) 1

potential φ
So a collection of charged particles can legitimately be called
a plasma if Λ 1

potential φ
a plasma if Λ 1 note, one can have Λe that is different from
Λp (or for other ion species, for that matter);

potential φ
Λp (or for other ion species, for that matter); same for the
Debye length too

potential φ
Debye length too
The more particles there are in a Debye sphere, the better the
central charge imbalance is screened; so the fewer direct (i.e.,
Coulomb) collisions.

potential φ
Debye length too
The more particles there are in a Debye sphere, the better the
central charge imbalance is screened; so the fewer direct (i.e.,
Coulomb) collisions.
So the plasma parameter Λ is a measure of the dominance of
collective interactions over collisions.
Collective effects - I
For a plasma with a plasma parameter Λ 1, the cumulative

many-body effects far outweigh binary (i.e., two-body, large
angle) collisions


angle) collisions
Consider the smallest impact parameter b arising out of a
balance between thermal and electrostatic energies for
two-body collisions: 2(3/2)kT = e 2 /b


angle) collisions
The probability P2 that a particle will undergo such two-body
collisions is just P2 = ne b 3 .


angle) collisions
collisions is just P2 = ne b 3 . substituting for b and using the
definition of the plasma parameter Λ,


angle) collisions
P2 = (12π)−3 Λ−2 , which is 1 if the plasma parameter
Λ1


angle) collisions
Λ1
In other words, two-body (large-angle) collisions are rare;


angle) collisions
Λ1
In other words, two-body (large-angle) collisions are rare; and
in fact, three-body large angle collisions are rarer


angle) collisions
Λ1
In other words, two-body (large-angle) collisions are rare; and
in fact, three-body large angle collisions are rarer
So what’s with these collective effects?

Collective effects - II; plasma oscillations (B & S
treatment)
Clearly, the relevant lengthscale for collective effects

treatment)
Clearly, the relevant lengthscale for collective effects (the

lengthscale over which charge neutrality can be thought to be
established)

treatment)

established) is the Debye length λD

treatment)

p
..and the relevant speed is the thermal speed vTe ≡ kTe /me

treatment)

p
..and the relevant speed is the thermal speed vTe ≡ kTe /me
The electrostatic fields that establish charge neutrality will
cause oscillations about an equilibrium position at a
characteristic frequency called the plasma frequency
s
vTe 4πne e 2
ωpe ≡ =
λD me

Plasma oscillations - Sturrock’s treatment
Static ions, ignore all temperatures (cold plasma), 1D motion
(in x-dimension) of plane parallel sheets of electrons

Sheet of electrons, originally at x, displaced to x + ξ;

Sheet of electrons, originally at x, displaced to x + ξ; excess
charge of neξ per unit area to the left of the sheet, deficit of
the same amount to the right

From Gauss’s law, E = 4πneξ

Equation of motion of electron sheet
d 2ξ
me = −eE
dt 2
or

d 2ξ
me = −eE
dt 2
or
d 2ξ 2
+ ωpe ξ=0
dt 2

d 2ξ
me = −eE
dt 2
or
d 2ξ 2
+ ωpe ξ=0
dt 2
where s
4πne e 2
ωpe ≡
me
Plasma frequency - caveats
Amplitudes need to be small - no crossing of electron sheets,

motion needs to be simple harmonic


No particle collisions


No particle collisions which causes dissipation of energy,
leading to damping


leading to damping
This whole treatment doesn’t work if the motion isn’t planar;
see, e.g., Sturrock for an example of oscillations in a
cylindrical geometry


leading to damping
This whole treatment doesn’t work if the motion isn’t planar;
see, e.g., Sturrock for an example of oscillations in a
cylindrical geometry
Nonetheless, the plasma frequency concept is an amazingly
useful one in practice

Radio emission in the solar corona/wind

Shortwave radio communication

Plasma states in the universe (from B & S)

Typical numbers for plasmas (from B & S)

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Phy 462: Plasma Physics

Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune

Subramanian Plasma Physics

3 credit course offered to undergrad students of the 5th and

Subramanian Plasma Physics

3 credit course offered to undergrad students of the 5th and

Subramanian Plasma Physics

3 credit course offered to undergrad students of the 5th and

Subramanian Plasma Physics

3 credit course offered to undergrad students of the 5th and

Subramanian Plasma Physics

3 credit course offered to undergrad students of the 5th and

Subramanian Plasma Physics

Plasma Physics: An Introduction to the theory of

Subramanian Plasma Physics

Introduction and relevance: Thermonuclear fusion, Plasmas in

Subramanian Plasma Physics

Introduction and relevance: Thermonuclear fusion, Plasmas in

Subramanian Plasma Physics

Introduction and relevance: Thermonuclear fusion, Plasmas in

Subramanian Plasma Physics

Waves in plasmas: waves in cold plasmas, waves in warm

Subramanian Plasma Physics

Waves in plasmas: waves in cold plasmas, waves in warm

Subramanian Plasma Physics

Macroscopic (fluid) description of a plasma, equations of

Subramanian Plasma Physics

Macroscopic (fluid) description of a plasma, equations of

Subramanian Plasma Physics

Applications: the solar dynamo, the solar wind, jets from

Subramanian Plasma Physics

Applications: the solar dynamo, the solar wind, jets from

Subramanian Plasma Physics

Lab plasmas (mostly for thermonuclear fusion) - of great

Subramanian Plasma Physics

Lab plasmas (mostly for thermonuclear fusion) - of great

Subramanian Plasma Physics

Lab plasmas (mostly for thermonuclear fusion) - of great

Subramanian Plasma Physics

Lab plasmas (mostly for thermonuclear fusion) - of great

Subramanian Plasma Physics

Lab plasmas (mostly for thermonuclear fusion) - of great

Subramanian Plasma Physics

Lab plasmas (mostly for thermonuclear fusion) - of great

Subramanian Plasma Physics

Lab plasmas (mostly for thermonuclear fusion) - of great

Subramanian Plasma Physics

Roughly speaking, as long as the number of particles N in

Subramanian Plasma Physics

Roughly speaking, as long as the number of particles N in

Subramanian Plasma Physics

Roughly speaking, as long as the number of particles N in

Subramanian Plasma Physics

Roughly speaking, as long as the number of particles N in

Subramanian Plasma Physics

Roughly speaking, as long as the number of particles N in

Subramanian Plasma Physics

Roughly speaking, as long as the number of particles N in

Subramanian Plasma Physics

Roughly speaking, as long as the number of particles N in

Subramanian Plasma Physics

Roughly speaking, as long as the number of particles N in

Subramanian Plasma Physics

Roughly speaking, as long as the number of particles N in

For a plasma with a plasma parameter Λ 1, the cumulative