Course syllabus for Plasma physics with applications

Course syllabus adopted 2026-02-26 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish namePlasmafysik med tillämpningar
  • CodeRRY085
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerMPPHS
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • Main field of studyElectrical Engineering, Engineering Physics
  • DepartmentPHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 85128
  • Open for exchange studentsYes

Credit distribution

0108 Examination 7.5 c
Grading: TH		7.5 c

In programmes

Examiner

Eligibility

General entry requirements for Master's level (second cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements

Specific entry requirements

English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements

Course specific prerequisites

Basic knowledge in electromagnetic field theory, nuclear physics and particle and statistical mechanics.

Aim

The course aims at developing a physical understanding for the characteristic properties of plasmas, including how they can be created and where they appear. An important part of the course is to illustrate plasma physics concepts and phenomena by considering applications ranging from fusion energy generation and microwave techniques to space physics and astrophysics.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

- Understand the fundamental properties of plasma, how the plasma state is defined, and how different plasma models (kinetic and fluid models) are used and derived, including the connection between the single-particle description, the Vlasov/Boltzmann equations, and MHD.

- Be able to analyze particle motion in homogeneous, inhomogeneous, and time-varying electromagnetic fields, and understand basic transport processes such as diffusion (classical, ambipolar, and magnetized).

- Mathematically describe and interpret linear plasma waves, derive and analyze dispersion relations, and understand different frequency regimes and limiting cases.

- Use MHD to determine plasma equilibria and stability, and analyze simple magnetic configurations.

- Understand the physical basis of fusion, including fusion reactions, confinement in the Sun, the triple product and reactor balance, and be able to discuss methods for controlled fusion and magnetic confinement (e.g., tokamaks).

Content

- Introduction: Definition, occurrence and characteristics of plasmas
- History of plasma physics
- Applications
- Plasma descriptions: Single particle motion, kinetic theory, fluid models
- Waves in plasmas
- Partile diffusion in ionized gases
- Magnetohydrodynamic equilibria and stability
- Fusion energy

Organisation

Lectures

Literature

"Basic Plasma Physics -  Theory and applciation" Anderson, et al. (distributed at the start of the course)  +  Lecture notes

Examination including compulsory elements

Hand-in exercises and oral or written exam

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers about disability study support.