Course: Plasma Physics

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Course title Plasma Physics
Course code UFY/FP
Organizational form of instruction Lecture
Level of course Bachelor
Year of study 2
Frequency of the course In each academic year, in the summer semester.
Semester Summer
Number of ECTS credits 3
Language of instruction Czech, English
Status of course Compulsory
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Straňák Vítězslav, prof. RNDr. Ph.D.
Course content
1. Introduction to plasma physics: history, ionized media, plasma in nature, properties of plasma and potential applications 2. Kinetic theory of gases: free mean path, energy of particles, collision cross section, distribution functions, temperature, charged particles (electron vs ion) 3. Atom structure, ionization: atom model, energy level, differential ionization, Penning ionization, ionization potential, another ionization processes 4. Introduction to physical chemistry: structure of molecules, rotational, vibrational and electronic energies, molecular ions, clusters, principles of emission spectroscopy, Franck-Condon principle 5. Collision processes in plasma: ion-molecule reactions, plasma emission, recombination, formation of negative ions, relaxation processes in quenching discharges, rate constants, dissociative processes 6. Plasma: plasma as an ionized gas, low-temperature plasma, high-temperature plasma, ionization degree, electric discharges, laboratory plasma (visit of lab) 7. Low-temperature plasma I: definition, Debye length and potential, diffusion, ambipolar diffusion, theory of glow discharge, Paschen law 8. Low-temperature plasma II: theory of electric discharges, motion of charged particles in crossed magnetic and electric fields, Langevine equation, volume processes, wall-interaction processes, electronegative gases, catophoresis, ionphoreses. 9. Sources of laboratory plasma: different laboratory plasmas, experimental setups, dc discharges, RF discharges, ICP and CCP discharges, sparks and arcs, DBD etc., properties of discharges (excursion to lab) 10. Kinetic theory of low-temperature plasma: kinetic equation (Botzman and Vlasov equations, Fokker-Planck part), elastic and inelastics collisions and their effect on distribution function, electron-electron collisions, Maxwell distribution, non-Maxwell distribution, effect of magnetic field 11. High-temperature plasma: Lawson criteria, fusion, plasma stability as criterion for fusion, tokamak, stellarator 12. Plasma application potential: advanced plasma methods, plasma medicine, deposition of thin films, nanostructured surfaces

Learning activities and teaching methods
Monologic (reading, lecture, briefing), Laboratory, Practical training
  • Class attendance - 28 hours per semester
  • Preparation for exam - 30 hours per semester
  • Preparation for classes - 17 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
The course aims on the introduction to plasma physics and ionized media; definition of plasma, processes in plasma bulk (ionization, dissociation, collisions), plasma radiation, low-temperature and high-temperature plasma, plasma sources, application in technology. The aim is to broad the general knowledge and to demonstrate the possible scientific orientation following the current trends in the scientific and application areas.
Students will get basic knowledge of plasma and ionized media. He / she will be able to solve simple practical problems and numerical examples. Studentd will be theoretically prepared for another related subjects (vacuum physics, plasma technology, plasma in biomedicine).
Prerequisites
basic knowledge of mathematics, general physics and electricity and magnetism
UFY/CV012
----- or -----
UFY/FYZ2

Assessment methods and criteria
Oral examination, Test

Understanding of the topic within the frame given by the plan. Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes: exam: passing the test min 75%, proof of knowledge at the oral exam min 75%.
Recommended literature
  • F.F.Chen: Úvod do fyziky plazmatu. Academia, Praha 1984.
  • J. Kracík: Fyziky plazmatu, Praha 1966.
  • J. Kracík: Základy klasické a kvantové fyziky plazmatu, Praha 1974.
  • M.A. Lieberman, A.J. Lichtenberg, Principles of plasma discharges and materials processing, J. Wiley, New York 2005.
  • P. Kulhánek: Úvod do teorie plazmatu, Praha 2011.
  • R. Hippler, H. Kersten, M. Schmidt, K. H. Schoenbach: Low Temperature Plasma,: Fundamentals, Technologies and Techniques, Wiley-VCH, 2008.
  • V. Martisovic, Základy fyziky plazmy, Bratislava (2006), 192 s. ISBN 80-223-1983..


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Biophysics (1) Category: Physics courses - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Summer
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Physics (1) Category: Physics courses 2 Recommended year of study:2, Recommended semester: Summer
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Biophysics (1) Category: Physics courses - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Summer
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Biophysics (1) Category: Physics courses - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Summer
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Physics for future teachers (1) Category: Physics courses - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Summer
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Biophysics (1) Category: Physics courses - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Summer