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Plasma Physics and Applications

By Prof. MV Sunil Krishna   |   IIT Roorkee
Learners enrolled: 645   |  Exam registration: 152
ABOUT THE COURSE : Plasma also known as the fourth state of matter is the most abundant constituent of visible universe. This course introduces the basic aspects of plasma phenomenon. Plasma physics has widespread applications in the fields of material science, communications, astronomy & astrophysics, nuclear energy etc. The course starts at the basic level of understanding what is plasma and introduces various properties of plasma and various descriptions of plasma. Few major applications involving plasma physics will be introduced in the course.

INTENDED AUDIENCE : B.Tech (EE,ECE), M.Sc. (Physics), Pre-PhD

PREREQUISITES : Physics Introductory course, Electrodynamics, II year B.Tech or MSc. Students along with Pre-PhD students

INDUSTRY SUPPORT : DRDO, Institute of Plasma Research, PRL, ISRO etc
Summary
Course Status : Completed
Course Type : Core
Language for course content : English
Duration : 12 weeks
Category :
  • Physics
Credit Points : 3
Level : Undergraduate/Postgraduate
Start Date : 22 Jan 2024
End Date : 12 Apr 2024
Enrollment Ends : 05 Feb 2024
Exam Registration Ends : 16 Feb 2024
Exam Date : 28 Apr 2024 IST

Note: This exam date is subject to change based on seat availability. You can check final exam date on your hall ticket.


Page Visits



Course layout

Week 1 : Introduction to Plasma Physics, Plasma systems, Formation of Plasma, Plasma Frequency, Debye Shielding, Debye Potential
Week 2 : Plasma parameters, Criteria for Plasma, Various Plasma Examples, Introduction to particle theory of plasma, Motion of particle in uniform electric field, static uniform magnetic field.
Week 3 : Motion of particle in uniform static electric and magnetic field, \vec{E} . \vec{B} drift, Generalized drift, gravitational drift, Obtaining particle trajectories, Gradient drift
Week 4 : Curvature drift, Vacuum drifts, Non-uniform magnetic field, Magnetic mirrors and applications, non-uniform electric field
Week 5: Time varying electric field, Time varying magnetic field, Adiabatic invariants, Fluid description of plasma, Relation of plasma to ordinary electrodynamics, The pressure force and viscous force
Week 6 : Fluid equations of motion, Complete set of two-fluid equations, Continuity equation, Fluid drifts parallel to \vec{B}, Fluid drifts perpendicular to \vec{B}, The plasma approximation
Week 7 : Single fluid equations, Frozen-in magnetic fields, Magnetic pressure, Magnetohydrodynamics, Derivation of MHD equations
Week 8 : Derivation of MHD equations, Representation of waves, Concepts of group velocity and phase velocity, Plasma oscillations, Electron plasma waves
Week 9 : Linear perturbation theory, Acoustic waves, Ion-acoustic wave, Electromagnetic wave propagation in plasma, Importance of validity of plasma approximation, Discussion on dispersion relation
Week 10 : Diffusion and mobility in weakly ionized plasma, Decay of plasma and diffusion, Steady state solutions, Recombination, ambipolar diffusion 
Week 11 :Stability of plasma, Plasma instabilities and turbulence ionosphere, two stream instability, gravitational instability, Rayleigh-Taylor instability
Week 12 :Plasma Applications in Space Science, Astrophysics, Surface Engineering, Material Science, RF and Microwave Engineering, Laser plasmonic science

Books and references

1. Chen F F, “Introduction to Plasma Physics”, Springer Press, New York
2. Kelley Michael C, ""The Earth's Ionosphere: Plasma Physics and Electrodynamics"", Elsevier Inc.
3. John P I, ""Plasma Science and the Creation of Wealth"", Tata McGraw Hill
4. Davidson R C, “Physics of Non-Neutral Plasmas”, Allied Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
5. Eliezer S and Eliezer Y, “The Fourth State of Matter: An Introduction to Plasma Science”, 2nd Ed. CRC Press

Instructor bio

Prof. MV Sunil Krishna

IIT Roorkee
1. M.Sc. (Physics) from Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati
2. M.Phil (Theoretical High Energy Physics) from University of Hyderabad
3. Ph.D (Atmospheric and Space Physics), IIT Roorkee
Assistant Professor in Physics at IIT Roorkee since 2011. I carry research in the area of atmospheric and space physics. With specific interest in understanding the space weather effects on the neutral atmosphere and ionosphere by combining satellite, ground based measurements and modeling techniques. Our research group at IIT Roorkee tries to understand how intense solar prominences such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections effect the geospace in general and the mesosphere-thermosphere and ionosphere in particular.

Guest Speakers: Click here to view.

Course certificate

The course is free to enroll and learn from. But if you want a certificate, you have to register and write the proctored exam conducted by us in person at any of the designated exam centres.
The exam is optional for a fee of Rs 1000/- (Rupees one thousand only).
Date and Time of Exams: 28 April 2024 Morning session 9am to 12 noon; Afternoon Session 2pm to 5pm.
Registration url: Announcements will be made when the registration form is open for registrations.
The online registration form has to be filled and the certification exam fee needs to be paid. More details will be made available when the exam registration form is published. If there are any changes, it will be mentioned then.
Please check the form for more details on the cities where the exams will be held, the conditions you agree to when you fill the form etc.

CRITERIA TO GET A CERTIFICATE

Average assignment score = 25% of average of best 8 assignments out of the total 12 assignments given in the course.
Exam score = 75% of the proctored certification exam score out of 100

Final score = Average assignment score + Exam score

YOU WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR A CERTIFICATE ONLY IF AVERAGE ASSIGNMENT SCORE >=10/25 AND EXAM SCORE >= 30/75. If one of the 2 criteria is not met, you will not get the certificate even if the Final score >= 40/100.

Certificate will have your name, photograph and the score in the final exam with the breakup.It will have the logos of NPTEL and IIT Roorkee .It will be e-verifiable at nptel.ac.in/noc.

Only the e-certificate will be made available. Hard copies will not be dispatched.

Once again, thanks for your interest in our online courses and certification. Happy learning.

- NPTEL team


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