Plasma Physics: A Comprehensive Introduction

[Astronuc]

In physics and chemistry, a plasma is an ionized gas, and is usually considered to be a distinct phase of matter. "Ionized" in this case means that at least one electron has been dissociated from a significant fraction of the [atoms or] molecules. The free electric charges make the plasma electrically conductive so that it couples strongly to electromagnetic fields. This fourth state of matter was first identified by Sir William Crookes in 1879 and dubbed "plasma" by Irving Langmuir in 1928, because it reminded him of a blood plasma.

Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasma_Physics

Plasmas are the most common phase of matter. The entire visible universe outside the solar system is plasma: all we can see are stars. Since the space between the stars is filled with a plasma, although a very sparse one (see interstellar- and intergalactic medium), essentially the entire volume of the universe is plasma (see astrophysical plasmas). In the solar system, the planet Jupiter accounts for most of the non-plasma, only about 0.1% of the mass and 10⁻¹⁵ of the volume within the orbit of Pluto. Alfvén also noted that due to their electric charge, very small grains also behave as ions and form part of a plasma (see dusty plasmas).

And other references -

A nice introduction, including history, to Plasma Physics
http://farside.ph.utexas.edu/teaching/plasma/lectures/lectures.html

and

more sites on Plamsa Physics, which include applications in astronomical/cosmological objects as well as fusion/magnetoplasmadynamic systems.

http://www.plasmaphysics.org.uk/

http://plasma-gate.weizmann.ac.il/PlasmaI.html

http://www.ipp.mpg.de/~Wolfgang.Suttrop/ppcfsites.html

http://wwwppd.nrl.navy.mil/

http://www.imperial.ac.uk/research/plasma/

 

[Astronuc]

I was browsing the Naval Research Laboratory and found this nice resource on formulas, constants, vector identities and other useful information concering plasmas and plasma physics - http://wwwppd.nrl.navy.mil/nrlformulary/index.html
files available in postscript and pdf formats

The NRL Plasma Formulary has been the mini-Bible of plasma physicists for the past 25 years. It is an eclectic compilation of mathematical and scientific formulas, and contains physical parameters pertinent to a variety of plasma regimes, ranging from laboratory devices to astrophysical objects.

 

[sir-pinski]

Thank you for providing a comprehensive introduction to plasma physics. It is fascinating to learn that plasma is the most common phase of matter in the visible universe and that it was first identified by Sir William Crookes in 1879. The references you have provided are also helpful in understanding the various applications of plasma physics, from astronomical objects to fusion and magnetoplasmadynamic systems. I will definitely check them out to further my understanding of this interesting field of study.