PHYS 626 -- Fundamentals of Plasma Physics -- Fall 2009

The UAF Catalog listing for PHYS 626: "Single charge particle motion in the electromagnetic fields, plasma kinetic theory, Vlasov equations for collisionless plasmas, magnetohydrodynamic equations, linear plasma waves and instabilities, nonlinear plasma waves and instabilities."

In terms of the content of the textbook (which you must have and bring to classes), we will cover most topics from Chapter 1 to 6, 8, and 10  (i.e., we are skipping Chapters 7, 9, and 11).  We will also not cover everything in these chapters, due to the fact that we only have a limited amount of time, not because other topics are not important. At the end of this syllabus, there is a tentative schedule which lists topics we plan to cover in more details. This is subject to change. So you should check frequently the online version of this page: http://www.gi.alaska.edu/~chungsangng/phys626/phys626.html.

The main goal of this course is to introduce you to the fundamental concepts, phenomena, and theories of plasmas, at the beginning graduate level. Applications and examples will be mainly on aspects of space physics, with occasional reference to laboratory plasmas, such as in thermal nuclear fusion devices. Emphasis will be on the theoretical aspects of the subject. However, relevant experimental or observational data will also be pointed out so as to compare with theories.

You must have a copy of the textbook: Introduction to Plasma Physics, by D. A. Gurnett and A. Bhattacharjee, Cambridge, 2005 (ISBN 0 521 36730 1 paperback). It is very important that you read the Section(s) covered by each lecture and try to follow derivations before you come to that lecture. Please refer to the schedule below (subject to change) for such reading assignments. You should bring your textbook to the lectures.

There are many other excellent plasma textbooks and references. I understand you may not have time to do more further reading. It is also not essential for getting a good grade in this course. However, if you have time and want to learn more for your own good, you may look up lists of references and "Further reading" for titles of more reading materials. You should be able to obtain most of them through the library (may need to recall or use the Interlibrary Loan).

You will find it extremely useful to have some mathematical references, handbooks, or tables. There are many options available from the Internet, but you should be cautious about the accuracy of information obtained there. One recommendation is Abramowitz and Stegun: Handbook of Mathematical Functions, which can be downloaded freely. Another one is the NRL Plasma Formulary, which you can order a free copy or download it online.

The class is for 3 credits, and so 3 hours per week are devoted to lectures. Based on the reading schedule listed below, you should have read (and try to derive) the material in the text before coming to each day's lecture. You are also expected to contribute to discussion in class about physical concepts and mathematical derivations. I will not have time to read through all the text and work out all derivations, but will only highlight those points that are important or difficult. You must cover the rest of the text and ask for help if you encounter difficulties. I reserve the right to assign homework or exam questions over materials listed in Reading Assignments, even if it was not covered explicitly in lecture.

Note: some lecture notes will be available for download via the course home page (http://www.gi.alaska.edu/~chungsangng/phys626/phys626.html) by clicking at the dates of the lectures in the schedule. These notes are not to replace the lectures themselves or the textbook.

VI. Attendance and participation

Since this is a small class, there is no need to keep a formal attendance record. However, participation is counted towards 5% of the final grade. Again, due to the tedious nature of keeping track of participation and that I will recognize everyone in this small class, no formal record will be kept for participation. The final participation grade will be given based on my general impression of your participation level. You are encouraged to check with me during the course to see if your participation level is acceptable. Participation is based on attendance, asking questions, and contributing to discussion in class, as well as coming to my office hour to ask questions and to discuss physics. Of course, you can impress me the most by pointing out errors I made in derivations, or helping me out when I get stuck.

Doing homework is most important factor in doing well in this class. There will be approximately one homework set assigned per week, usually on Fridays, and is usually due in the following Friday before class.  However, you should work on your homework as early as possible before a deadline so that you can have time to ask for help if you encounter difficulties in solving these problems. Late homework will not be accepted.

To emphasize the importance of doing homework, homework grade will count towards 60% of the total grade of the course, excluding the assignment with the lowest grade. 

Most homework questions will be assigned from those questions in the textbook. Some questions may be selected from other sources, as well as past comprehensive exams. Your submission of any homework problem cannot simply be a one-line statement of the answer. You need to show steps of how you used the method leading to that answer. I will grade the homework based on the method used, as well as the answer. Therefore, you should submit your partially finished work. This will help you getting partial credit, and let me identify your difficulties. If some homework problems are found to be too difficult, adjustment to the homework grades will be made. Also, your work should be clean and clear enough for me to understand.

While it is good for you to have discussion with classmates or search the Internet for additional information, your submitted homework should be of your own, but not a direct copy from another source. Keep in mind that you will be required to do similar questions on your own during exams. In addition, it is against the UAF Honor Code to misrepresent work which is not your own. Plagiarism on homework or on an exam will result in a failing grade.

Solutions to the homework problems will be emailed to you after the due date. Therefore, late homework will not be accepted. The homework assignments will be given in class, and on the course website (click on links within the Schedule).

There will be one one-hour in-class midterm exam on Friday November 6th, and a two-hour final exam on Wednesday December 16th from 8 to 10 AM. Both are closed book exams. Calculators, computers, and communication devices are also not allowed. However, special or unusual formula or integrals essential to a particular question will be written down for that question. Midterm exam counts towards 10% of the total grade. The final exam counts towards 25% of the total grade. You must not miss the midterm exam and the Final Exam (except for documented illness or family emergency ).

Some questions in the exams will be similar to those you have seen in homework. This is to make sure that you don't just copy homework answers without  truly understanding how to answer on your own. Thus, it is important to review homework sets and solutions before the exams. Exam questions will be graded based on the method used, as well as the answer. Therefore, you should write down explicitly and clearly step by step how you come up with your answers. This will help you getting partial credit.

My office hours are 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I will be at Reichardt 108 during these office hours. Canceled office hours will be announced in class or by email. If you need to see me outside these office hours, please set up a time by appointment to come to my office at Elvey 706E. These are hours set aside especially to help you - do not feel like you are imposing or cheating by coming in. If you have problems that need immediate attention, please send me an e-mail or give me a call at my office phone number.

I have set up a home page for the course: http://www.gi.alaska.edu/~chungsangng/phys626/phys626.html. I may put additional materials that may be helpful to you later on. So, please come back often, especially to check any changes in the schedule. The UAF Blackboard site for this course will be made available to students, but will not be used to provide communication about this course.

The Physics Department will work with the Office of Disabilities Services (203 WHIT, 474-5655) to provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities.