The Physics of Plasmas provides a comprehensive introduction to the subject suitable for adoption as a self-contained text for courses at advanced undergraduate and graduate level. The extensive coverage of basic theory is illustrated with examples drawn from fusion, space and astrophysical plasmas. .
A particular strength of the book is its discussion of the various models used to describe plasma physics including particle orbit theory, fluid equations, ideal and resistive magnetohydrodynamics, wave equations and kinetic theory. The relationships between these distinct approaches are carefully explained giving the reader a firm grounding in the fundamentals, and developing this into an understanding of some of the more specialized topics. Throughout the text, there is an emphasis on the physical interpretation of plasma phenomena and exercises, designed to test the reader's understanding at a variety of levels, are provided. ..
Students of physics and astronomy, engineering and applied mathematics will find a clear and rigorous explanation of the fundamental properties of plasmas with minimal mathematical formality. This book will also serve as a reference source for physicists and engineers engaged in research on aspects of fusion and space plasmas. ...

Preface.
1 Introduction
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Thermonuclear fusion
1.3 Plasmas in space
1.4 Plasma characteristics
2 Particle orbit theory
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Constant homogeneous magnetic field
2.3 Constant homogeneous electric and magnetic fields
2.4 Inhomogeneous magnetic field
2.5 Particle drifts and plasma currents
2.6 Time-varying magnetic field and adiabatic invariance
2.7 Magnetic mirrors
2.8 The longitudinal adiabatic invariant
2.9 Magnetic flux as an adiabatic invariant
2.10 Particle orbits in tokamaks
2.11 Adiabatic invariance and particle acceleration
2.12 Polarization drift
2.13 Particle motion at relativistic energies

The present book has its origins in our earlier book Plasma Dynamics published in 1969; Many who used Plasma Dynamics took the trouble to send us comments, corrections and criticism, much of which we intended to incorporate in a new edition. In the event our separate preoccupations so delayed this that we came to the conclusion that we should instead write another book, that might better reflect changes of emphasis in the subject since the original publication. In writing we had two aims. The first was to describe topics that have a place in any core curriculum for plasma physics, regardless of subsequent specialization and to do this in a way that, while keeping physical understanding firmly in mind, did not compromise on a proper mathematical framework for developing the subject. At the same time we felt the need to go a step beyond this and illustrate and extend this basic theory with examples drawn from topics in fusion and space plasma physics. .
In developing the subject we have followed the traditional approach that in our experience works best, beginning with particle orbit theory. This combines the relative simplicity of describing the dynamics of a single charged particle, using concepts familiar from classical electrodynamics, before proceeding to a variety of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) models. Some of the intrinsic difficulties in getting to grips with magnetohydrodynamics stem from the persistent neglect of classical fluid dynamics in most undergraduate physics curricula. To counter this we have included in Chapter 3 a brief outline of some basic concepts of fluid dynamics before characterizing the different MHD regimes. This leads on to a detailed account of ideal MHD in Chapter 4 followed by a selection of topics illustrating different aspects of resistive MHD in Chapter 5. Plasmas support a bewildering variety of waves and instabilities and the next two chapters are given over to classifying the most important of these. Chapter 6 continues the MHD theme, dealing with waves which can be described macroscopically. In contrast to normal fluids, plasmas are characterized by modes which have to be described microscopically, i.e. in terms of kinetic theory, because only particular particles in the distribution interact with the modes in question. An introduction to plasma kinetic theory is included in Chapter 7 along with a full discussion of the basic modes, the physics of which is governed largely by wave-particle interactions. The development of kinetic theory is continued in Chapter 8 but with a change of emphasis. Whereas the effect of collisions between plasma particles is disregarded in Chapter 7, these move centre stage in Chapter 8 with an introduction to another key topic, plasma transport theory. ..
A thorough grounding in plasma physics is provided by a selection of topics from the first eight chapters, which make up a core syllabus irrespective of subsequent specialization. The remaining chapters develop the subject and provide a basis for more specialized courses, although arguably Chapter 9 on plasma radiation is properly part of any core syllabus. This chapter, which discusses the principal sources of plasma radiation, excepting bound-bound transitions, along with an outline of radiative transport and the scattering of radiation by laboratory plasmas, provides an introduction to a topic which underpins a number of key plasma diagnostics. Chapters 10 and 11 deal in turn and in different ways with aspects of non-linear plasma physics and with effects in inhomogeneous plasmas. Both subjects cover such a diversity of topics that we have been limited to a discussion of a number of examples, chosen to illustrate the methodology and physics involved. In Chapter 10 we mainly follow a tutorial approach, outlining a variety of important non-linear effects, whereas in Chapter 11 we describe in greater detail a few particular examples by way of demonstrating the effects of plasma inhomogeneity and physical boundaries. The book ends with a chapter on the classical theory of plasmas in which we outline the comprehensive mathematical structure underlying the various models used, highlighting how these relate to one another.
An essential part of getting to grips with any branch of physics is working through exercises at a variety of levels. Most chapters end with a selection of exercises ranging from simple quantitative applications of basic results on the one hand to others requiring numberical solution or reference to original papers.
We are indebted to many who have helped in a variety of ways during the long period it has taken to complete this work. For their several contributions, comments and criticism we thank Hugh Barr, Alan Cairns, Angela Dyson, Pat Edwin, Ignazio Fidone, Malcolm Haines, Alan Hood, Gordon Inverarity, David Montgomery, Ricardo Ondarza-Rovira, Sean Oughton, Eric Priest, Bernard Roberts, Steven Schwartz, Greg Tallents, Alexey Tatarinov and Andrew Wright. We are indebted to Dr J.M. Holt for permission to reproduce Fig. 9.16. Special thanks are due to Andrew Mackwood who prepared the figures and to Misha Sanderson who shared with Andrew the burden of producing much of the LATEX copy. Finally, we thank Sally Thomas, our editor at CUP, for her ready help and advice in bringing the book to press. ...
T.J.M. Boyd, Dedham
J.J. Sanderson, St Andrews