The course covers basic principles on plasmas, waves in plasma, stability analysis of the equilibrium solutions of the equations. Examples are taken from the phenomena in the Earth’s ionosphere and magnetosphere.

Learning outcome

After completing the course you will:

understand and use the basic mathematical formalism needed for describing the dynamics of continuous media. have a very good knowledge of mathematical models for plasma and will be able to distinguish the dynamics of plasmas and neutral fluid media. have a very good knowledge of formulating and modifying the basic dynamic fluid equations to account for the dynamics of plasma media at different levels: from MHD to kinetic scales. be able to describe the propagation of waves in plasmas, and derive the dispersion relation for these waves. have basic knowledge on plasma instabilities and turbulence. be able to make a simplified model for the Earth´s magnetosphere, and obtain analytical expressions for some characteristic quantities.

Recommended previous knowledge

• FYS2160 – Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics
• FYS2140 – Quantum Physics

Lecture notes and supplementary Materials:

Materials for Lecture 05 (09.02.2022)

• Link for the slides: Click here
• Link for the hands-on code: Click here
• Link for the notes: Click here

Materials for Lecture 06 (11.02.2022)

• Lecture Notes: Click here

Materials for Lecture 07 (16.02.2022)

• Lecture Slides: Click here
• Lecture Notes: 
  • Collision in Magnetic field
  • Plasma Sheath

Materials for Lecture 8 (23.02.2022)

• Lecture Notes: Click here
• Additional notes

Materials for Lecture 9 (25.02.2022)

• Lecture Notes:
• Equation of States
• Dynamic Solutions

Materials for Lecture 10 (02.03.2022)

• Lecture Notes: Ideal MHD

Materials for Lecture 11 (04.03.2022)

• Lecture Notes: Click here

Materials for Lecture 12 (09.03.2022)

• Lecture Notes:
  • Magnetic Pressure: Click here
  • Earth’s Magnetosphere: Click here

Materials for Lecture 13 (11.03.2022)

• Lecture Notes: Click here

Materials for Lecture 14 (16.03.2022)

• Lecture Notes: Click here

Materials for Lecture 15 (18.03.2022)

• Lecture Notes: Click here

Materials for Lecture 16 (23.03.2022)

• Lecture Notes: Click here