Physics 762 Plasma Physics II: Topics in Kinetic and Nonlinear Plasma Theory
Spring 2011

Times:     TuTh   2pm-3:15pm

Location:           Physics 1304

Instructor:         Professor James F. Drake  (drake@umd.edu)
                          AVW 3311 301-405-1471

Office hours:     by random access, appointment or e-mail

References:       No one text will be followed.  The following are useful references:

                           - Bellan Fundamentals of Plasma Physics

                          - Goldston/Rutherford   Plasma Physics

                           - Davidson                 Methods in Nonlinear Plasma Theory
                           - Sagdeev/Galeev Nonlinear Plasma Theory
                           - Biskamp Nonlinear Magnetohydrodynamics
                           - Biskamp Magnetic Reconnection
                           - Melrose                    Instabilities in space and laboratory plasmas

Topics:               The course will cover topics in plasma kinetic theory and nonlinear behavior

with applications in space and laboratory plasmas. Plasmas are often weakly

collisional and as a consequence their behavior can’t always be described by

a fluid model. We will discuss the physical processes that control the dynamics

of collisionless plasma and the techniques to describe these dynamics. Plasmas

are also often controlled by nonlinear behavior. The analytic description of

nonlinear behavior is often difficult but techniques have been developed to

address these problems. Topics include a kinetic treatment of instabilities, orbit theory, nonlinear
              waves and shocks, quasilinear theory and maps, wave-wave interactions, parametric instabilities,
Navier Stokes and MHD turbulence, cascade processes and internittancy,
              magnetic reconnection and the dynamo.

Grading:             Homework assignments will be made and collected. There will be no formal final exam.