EE 471 (AERSP/NUC E 490) (was EE 490) — INTRODUCTION TO PLASMAS

Designation:

Senior/Grad-level technical elective for Electrical, Aerospace, and Nuclear Engineering students

Catalog Data:

Plasma oscillations; collisional phenomena; transport properties; orbit theory, typical electrical discharge phenomena. Prerequisite: EE 330 or PHYS 467 (good understanding of electromagnetics).

Prerequisites by topic:

1. Strong understanding of electromagnetics.
2. Understanding of vector calculus and differential equations.
3. Understanding of basic chemistry, physics of motion, and wave equations.
4. Proficiency in the use of a mathematical analysis program.
5. Ability to do library and Internet research and to write a research paper.

Course Objectives:

This course is designed to give seniors and graduate students a working knowledge of plasma phenomena, models to describe such phenomena, and applications of plasmas. This course stresses a physical understanding of plasma phenomena, backed up with mathematical formulation. Students should be able to do the following upon completion of this course:

1. Describe various plasma phenomena (such as why sheaths form, what waves will propagate, etc.) in a physical (qualitative) sense.
2. Develop the mathematical basis to back up the qualitative understanding, e.g., dispersion functions for wave propagation.
3. Examine plasma phenomena at micro and macro scales, i.e., single-particle and collective models.
4. Be able to draw analogies between plasmas and other physical systems, such as solid-state devices.

Topics:

1. Discussion of basic concepts, definition of a plasma, review of Maxwell’s Equations
2. Single particle motion in electric and magnetic fields, adiabatic invariants
3. Magneto-ionic theory; conductivity and mobility
4. Continuum equations for a plasma
5. Study of different kinds of waves that can exist and propagate in various plasmas
6. Plasma sheaths
7. Applications of plasmas, plasma creation, plasma diagnostic techniques

Class/laboratory schedule:

Two 75-minute lectures per week.

Computer Usage:

1. Proficiency in one of the major mathematical programs (e.g., Mathematica, MatLab, MathCAD) is expected to solve homework problems.
2. Individual semester projects may elect to use Particle-In-Cell (PIC) plasma simulation codes, spacecraft charging codes (e.g., SEE Charging Handbook), or other plasma simulation codes.

Laboratory projects and assignments:

There is no specific laboratory component to this course, although students may elect to perform laboratory experiments as part of their semester project.

Contribution to meeting the professional component:

Topics pertaining to economics, environmental, sustainability, ethical, social, and political issues are addressed in discussion over appropriate course for U.S. energy policy and the search for viable fusion reactors.

Relationship to program outcome:

1. Graduates will have an in-depth technical knowledge in the specialization area of plasmas and know about the applications of plasmas and plasma devices. Students will be able to apply electromagnetics knowledge to the solution of plasma physics problems. [Ref: Outcome O.3.1]
2. Graduates will be able to model plasma phenomena and will have a physical understanding of plasmas to be able to apply that knowledge in the design of systems employing plasmas. [Ref: Outcome O.3.2]
3. Graduates will be able to communicate their knowledge through the use of a written report. [Ref: Outcome O.5.2]
4. Graduates will be exposed to the practical implications of plasma physics and plasma systems (e.g., fusion devices), and their impact on society. [Ref: Outcome O.6]