Principles of Plasma Physics for Engineers and Scientists

This unified introduction provides the tools and techniques needed to analyze plasmas and connects plasma phenomena to other fields of study. Combining mathematical rigor with qualitative explanations, and linking theory to practice with example problems, this is a perfect textbook for senior undergraduate and graduate students taking one-semester introductory plasma physics courses. For the first time, material is presented in the context of unifying principles, illustrated using organizational charts, and structured in a successive progression from single particle motion, to kinetic theory and average values, through to collective phenomena of waves in plasma. This provides students with a stronger understanding of the topics covered, their interconnections, and when different types of plasma models are applicable. Furthermore, mathematical derivations are rigorous, yet concise, so physical understanding is not lost in lengthy mathematical treatments. Worked examples illustrate practical applications of theory and students can test their new knowledge with 90 end-of-chapter problems.

Umran S. Inan is a Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at Stanford University, where he has led pioneering research in plasma physics and electromagnetics for over 30 years. He also currently serves as President of Koc University in Istanbul, Turkey. As a committed teacher, he has authored two previous books that have become standard textbooks for electromagnetics courses, as well as receiving numerous awards including the Tau Beta Pi Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award and Outstanding Service Award from the Electrical Engineering Department for Excellence in Teaching. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the American Geophysical Union (AGU), and the American Physical Society (APS).
Marek Golkowski is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of Colorado Denver, which he joined after completing his Ph.D., at Stanford University. He has won several awards, including the Young Scientists Award from the International Association of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy and the Outstanding Student Paper Award from the American Geophysical Union. His current research focuses on electromagnetics and biological applications of plasmas.