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Course Offerings

Course Details

Fall 2012-2013
AST 555  

Fusion Plasmas & Plasma Diagnostics

Philip C. Efthimion
Richard P. Majeski

Introduction to experimental plasma physics, with emphasis on high-temperature plasmas for fusion. Requirements for fusion plasmas: confinement, beta, power and particle exhaust. Discussion of tokamak fusion and alternative magnetic and inertial confinement systems. Status of experimental understanding: what we know and how we know it. Key plasma diagnostic techniques: magnetic measurements, Langmuir probes, microwave techniques, spectroscopic techniques, electron cyclotron emission, Thomson scattering.

Sample reading list:
I. Hutchinson, Plasma Diagnostics
Reprints from Nuclear Fusion, Physics of Plasmas,
Phys. Rev. Letters, etc.,
Class notes,

Other Requirements:
Not Open to Freshmen.

Other information:
Spectroscopy in the visible, ultraviolet, and X-ray wavelengths, scattering of laser light and microwaves, hard X-rays, neutrons, and alpha particles. Fluctuations and transport. Lectures and student presentations.

Schedule/Classroom assignment:

Class numberSectionTimeDaysRoomEnrollmentStatus
22341 C01 1:15 pm - 2:30 pm T Th   Forrestal Campus   S213   Enrolled:7 Limit:30