"Plasma (from Ancient Greek πλάσμα (plásma) 'moldable substance') is one of four fundamental states of matter, characterized by the presence of a significant portion of charged particles in any combination of ions or electrons."
Study of charged particles and how they interact with magnetic fields.
Electromagnetic theory: This lays the foundation of plasma physics since plasmas are considered to be electromagnetic fluids consisting of charged particles.
Single particle motion in Electric and Magnetic fields: Understanding how a charged particle moves in an electric field and a magnetic field is essential since plasmas are essentially collections of charged particles.
Plasma fluid equations: Basic equations that govern the behavior of plasma, such as continuity equation, momentum equation, and the energy equation.
Kinetic theory: It is essential to have an in-depth knowledge of kinetic theory to understand plasma behavior, including velocity distribution functions, particle collisions, and other kinetic processes.
Waves and instabilities: In plasmas, electromagnetic waves play an essential role and, understanding these waves and their effects on plasma is crucial. The topic of instability delves into how disturbances in the plasma can lead to instabilities.
Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD): It is a field that combines fluid dynamics and electromagnetism and provides an essential framework to study plasmas in various scenarios.
Magnetic reconnection: It's a fundamental process seen in plasmas where magnetic fields break and change such that magnetic energy is transformed into kinetic and thermal energy.
Particle acceleration and transport: Since plasmas are a mixture of charged particles that interact with electromagnetic waves, there is the potential for particle acceleration through various mechanisms. Understanding these mechanisms is important when studying plasma Physics.
Space Weather: Exploring the behavior of the plasma environment in which spacecraft operate is important for space weather research. Understanding space plasma Physics, such as the solar wind, geomagnetic storms, and radiation belts, is critical.
Fusion: Fusion energy is a promising field that relies on plasmas. Understanding plasma Physics is fundamental to develop and sustain fusion processes.
Magnetospheric plasma processes: It is the study of insitu observations of space plasmas around the Earth and other planets, such as the dynamic changes in magnetic fields, particle populations, and plasma waves.
Laboratory plasmas: Understanding how plasmas behave in the laboratory gives essential insights into the behavior of natural plasmas. The topic covers experimental techniques, plasma diagnostics, and small-scale laboratory plasmas.
Astrophysical plasmas: It is the study of plasmas in space and its importance in astrophysical processes, such as star formation, stellar evolution, and galaxy formation.
Cold plasmas: It is the study of low-temperature plasmas, which have several industrial and medical applications like sterilizing equipment, material processing and plasma-assisted combustion.
Synthetic plasmas: It is the study of how nonneutral plasmas, which have no surface charges, behave in devices such as Penning traps, plasma devices and positron sources.
Plasma-aided propulsion: It is the study of ionizing gases to create plasma, which generates thrust for space propulsion.
Plasma processing: It is the study of plasma technology to create an effective and efficient process for various industrial applications like material processing, surface treatment, and semiconductor manufacturing.
Plasma simulation: Numerical simulations play a critical role in plasma physics, and various techniques are used to simulate complex plasma systems.
Plasma diagnostics: It is the process of obtaining measurements of plasma parameters such as density, temperature, and electric fields.
Plasma sources: It is the study of how plasma is produced for various applications, such as RF plasma sources, inductively coupled plasmas, and microwave plasmas.
Space plasma physics: Study of plasma in space, including the study of the Earth's magnetosphere and space weather.
Plasma astrophysics: Study of plasma in astrophysical environments such as the Sun, stars, supernovae, and galaxies.
Fusion plasma physics: Study of plasma in fusion devices, including magnetic confinement fusion (tokamaks, stellarators) and inertial confinement fusion (laser fusion).
Plasma diagnostics: Development of techniques for measuring the properties of plasma, such as temperature, density, and magnetic fields.
Plasma turbulence: Study of the complex, nonlinear behavior of plasma, including the formation of turbulent structures and the transfer of energy between different scales.
Plasma instabilities: Study of the conditions under which plasma can become unstable and lead to the formation of waves, shocks, and other disturbances.
Non-equilibrium plasma physics: Study of plasma under non-equilibrium conditions, such as in plasmas generated by lasers, radio-frequency fields, or other non-thermal sources.
Plasma-material interactions: Study of the interactions between plasma and solid surfaces, including plasma etching, plasma deposition, and plasma-material damage.
Plasma propulsion: Study of plasma thrusters for space propulsion, including arcjets, ion engines, and plasma rockets.
Industrial plasma physics: Study of applications of plasma in industrial processes, such as plasma cutting, welding, and surface treatment.
"It is the most abundant form of ordinary matter in the universe, mostly in stars (including the Sun), but also dominating the rarefied intracluster medium and intergalactic medium."
"Plasma can be artificially generated by heating a neutral gas or subjecting it to a strong electromagnetic field."
"The presence of charged particles makes plasma electrically conductive."
"The dynamics of individual particles and macroscopic plasma motion governed by collective electromagnetic fields."
"The response of plasma to electromagnetic fields is used in many modern devices and technologies."
"Depending on temperature and density, a certain number of neutral particles may also be present, in which case plasma is called partially ionized."
"Neon signs and lightning are examples of partially ionized plasmas."
"Unlike the phase transitions between the other three states of matter, the transition to plasma is not well defined."
"Whether a given degree of ionization suffices to call a substance 'plasma' depends on the specific phenomenon being considered."
"(from Ancient Greek πλάσμα (plásma) 'moldable substance')"
"Plasma is one of four fundamental states of matter."
"but also dominating the rarefied intracluster medium and intergalactic medium."
"Plasma can be artificially generated by heating a neutral gas or subjecting it to a strong electromagnetic field."
"The presence of charged particles makes plasma electrically conductive."
"the dynamics of individual particles and macroscopic plasma motion governed by collective electromagnetic fields."
"The response of plasma to electromagnetic fields is used in many modern devices and technologies, such as plasma televisions or plasma etching."
"Depending on temperature and density, a certain number of neutral particles may also be present, in which case plasma is called partially ionized."
"Neon signs and lightning are examples of partially ionized plasmas."
"Unlike the phase transitions between the other three states of matter, the transition to plasma is not well defined."