SUMMER WORKSHOP ON

PLASMA PHYSICS

Dr. Swarniv Chandra

7/9/2020 Physics Joint

 PART 1: Governing Equations in
Plasma

7/9/2020 Physics Joint

Let us assume that you have covered the first couple of
lectures in the book on Plasma Physics by F F Chen.
We us recall from chapter 3 , the equation of motion of a
single particle in simultaneous E & B field is given by
(Eq.3.29):

We often call this the Lorentz force expression. The same
equation is used in Plasma Physics with some changes.
 Now in case of a fluid with particles in it the equation just gets multiplied
with the density ‘n’

 Note we have written ‘u’ to distinguish fluid velocity from individual

particles.
 Now from fluid mechanics we know that there is a term “convective
derivative’ given by (eq. 3.32)

Here G is any vector field, may be velocity, Temperature etc …..

 In plasma we take G as the fluid velocity (eq 3.35)
 Therefore

 Often it is called momentum equation as it deals with force.

 Now in addition to the electromagnetic force there is a force due to
pressure gradient. It also adds up (eq 3.44)

 If we add viscous force or quantum forces they just add up on the RHS
 If we add collision it takes the form (eq 3.47)

 This equation is very important in plasma problems that we will be

solving
 Equation of Continuity
 1D

 3D
Poisson’s Equation
This equation is used to close the system of equations

 
   4   q j n j 
2

 j 
 PART 2: NORMALIZATION
SCHEME

7/9/2020 Physics Joint

 Solving equations with their units and dimensions is bit cumbersome.
 So we make every item dimensionless by dividing with quantities
related to plasma of similar dimensions.
 For example in the continuity equation

 The density, fluid velocity time and coordinate they have their own
dimensions. Dealing with them is troublesome.
 So have to carry out normalization scheme.
 NORMALIZATION OF A TYPICAL PROBLEM
x  x p / cs,

t  t p ,
  e / 2 k B
TTh ,
nj nj / n j0,

ni  ni / ni 0 ,

uj uj / cs

H er e  p
4 n e 0 e / m e & c s
2
 2kB TT h,e / me
Unnormalized Set of Equations Normalized Set of Equations

Here H, F , δ δ1 are constants calculated.

 So we take these set of equations to carry out our analytical/
mathematical treatment in the later parts.
 Thank You
Meet you in next lecture on perturbation and Linearisation

7/9/2020 Physics Joint