Physics 761

Physics Department, University of Maryland,

College Park, MD 20742-4111

Phone: 301.405.3401 Fax: 301.314.9525

INSTRUCTOR: T. M. Antonsen Jr.

antonsen@umd.edu

3339 A. V. Williams

405-1635

Office hours by appointment

ASSISTANT: E. J. Paul

ejpaul@umd.edu

3324 A. V. Williams

Office hours TuTh 9:45-10:45 AM

ROOM: JMP 2202

TIME: TuTh 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

An introduction to the basic concepts and phenomena of plasma physics.
Topics include: Vlasov theory, plasma waves, particle orbits, plasma stability,
transport, and nonlinear wave interactions. These topics will be discussed
as they apply to laboratory, industrial processing and space plasmas, as well
as to relativistic beams.

REFERENCES:
A. R. Choudhuri, The Physics of Fluids and Plasmas,
Cambridge Press 1998.
R. J. Goldston and P. H. Rutherford, Introduction to Plasma Physics, IoP 1995.
D. Nicholson, Introduction to Plasma Theory, Wiley 1983.
NRL Plasma Formulary
(http://wwwppd.nrl.navy.mil/)

HOMEWORK:
Homework assignments will be given periodically and collected
in class

EXAMS:
There will be two take home exams

Exam 2 is now posted in the Handouts folder (due 12/05).

REPORT:
Students will make a short report either on their research or on a
journal article of their choosing

Homework:                               30%
Report:                                     30%
Exam 1:                                   20%
Exam 2:                                   20%