Zheng L. Magnetically Confined Fusion Plasma Physics. Volume 3: Kinetic theory

IOP Publishing Ltd, 2022. — 261 p. — ISBN 978-0-7503-3777-9.This book describes kinetic theory as volume 3 for the book series: Magnetically Confined Fusion Plasma Physics by the author, with volume 1 and 2 describing, respectively, the ideal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) and multifluid theories. Advanced topics are presented in order to fill the gap between the textbooks and the up-to-date research developments in this field. Nevertheless, it is self-contained and trackable with mathematical treatments detailed and underlying physics explained.
Fusion is the energy of Universe, powering the Sun, the stars… If successfully controlled, it would solve the energy shortage problem for mankind. However, it is so challenging that the predicted number of years to achieve it has remained basically unchanged since the collective effort was made in 1950s. One may not be surprised or disappointed by this. Likewise, photosynthesis under natural conditions or even sea water crop plantings, etc is also disproportionally difficult. The more mankind needs, the more challenges we have to face. ‘In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread’. Only ‘the truth will set us free’. Difficulties should drive us to delve deeper into physics.
Kinetic theory is among the most difficult theories in magnetically confined fusion plasma research. The difficulty is not to compromise its complexity and try to simulate every individual particle as much as possible. Instead, it is to reveal its beauty and simplicity embedded. In fact, instabilities are of a kind of intrinsic nature in confining a hot plasma. Only when various adiabatic invariants of charged particle motion in a magnetic field are properly exploited can the fusion plasma be confined in a desired time scalePreface
Introduction
Introduction
General theoretical formalism
Charged particle motion in an electromagnetic field
Lagrangian and Hamiltonian theories of guiding center motion
Drift kinetic theory
Gyrokinetic theory
Variational theories in the guiding center description
Applications: Stability analyses
Fundamentals of kinetic analysis of plasma oscillations
Electrostatic modes
Electromagnetic modes
Energetic particle theory
Concluding remarks
The beauty and simplicity in controlled fusion research