• Plasma-surface interactions: electron-induced electron emission (secondary electron emission, electron backscattering, electron reflection), ion-induced electron emission (kinetic, potential), thermionic emission, field emission, photoelectric emission, sputtering (physical, chemical), ion backscattering. 
• The balance of electron energy, both in ac and dc discharges. Plasma gain by ionization, and plasma loss by diffusion, recombination, and current losses. 
• Characterizing parameters: collisionality, degree of ionization, degree of magnetization (for ions and for electrons). Scale lengths: gyro radii, mean free paths for elastic collisions and for ionization, and sheath thicknesses. 
• Discharge types: DC glow discharges, sputtering magnetrons, arc discharges and RF discharges.
• Applications connected to sustainable development goals: carbon dioxide conversion, ozone generation, water purification, medical applications, waste treatment 

After passing the course, the student should be able to

• explain the physical mechanisms behind different plasma-surface interaction processes as well as their effect and importance in different plasma environments
• discuss practical applications of electron emission physics relevant to plasma discharges and to diagnostic components
• describe the plasma physical processes, and characterizing parameters, that are listed in the course content
• explain the functioning, with focus on the dominating plasma physical processes, of the discharge types that are listed in the course content
• describe the technical applications of plasma processing that are listed in the course content, and explain how the discharge types’ characteristic parameters are related to the desired use of the devices
• describe applications of plasma discharges that are connected to sustainable development goals and discuss advantages / disadvantages with respect to competing non-plasma technologies

in order to make the student familiar with a broad range of technical plasma devices, and able to analyze and describe their main plasma physical characteristics and principles of operation.

• Short quizzes for understanding: all students present in the lecture are involved.
• Problem solving classes: individual hand-in assignments to be solved at home, over the course duration all students get an opportunity to present their solution(s) on the whiteboard.
• Oral presentation: of a selected topic to the class

The course material and corresponding learning activities are structured in three modules as:

• “Plasma discharges”: Lectures, problem solving, joint discussions
• “Plasma surface interactions”: Lectures, joint discussions
• “Sustainable development applications”: Lectures, joint discussions, oral presentations

Preparation activities:

• reading the course material
• solving individual hand-in assignments
• making notes for an oral presentation
• making notes for joint discussions

The examination consists of three parts:

• written exam covering the material of the module “Plasma discharges”,
• solutions of individual hand-in assignments covering the material for the module “Plasma-surface interactions”,
• presentation of selected topic for the module “Sustainable development applications”.

Basic electromagnetic field theory.

For single course students: documented proficiency in English B or equivalent.

Students at KTH with a permanent disability can get support during studies from Funka:

Funka - compensatory support for students with disabilities

A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

• TEN1 - Examination, 6.0 credits, Grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

Written examination. 

The final grade for the exam is sum of the grades for three parts.

The written exam (2.5 credits), covering the material of the module “Plasma discharges”, has two parts

• Part I: no literature allowed. It contains questions of basic knowledge (at most two-line answers needed) and understanding (minimum 1/3, maximum 1 page each). Total points are 14 + 20.
• Part II: relevant material is provided. It concerns problem solving, may contain both quantitative and qualitative questions. Total points are 10.
• The grading is: Fail below 20 p, Stepwise to the highest grade of A (20 – 44 p).

The grading of the solutions of individual hand-in assignments for the module “Plasma-surface interactions” (2.5 credits) that consist of 16 exercises. The total amount of points is 130 points, but the perfect score is 100 points. Any extra amount of points (beyond 100) will count towards the final grade. The grading is A (100-90), B (90-80), C (80-70), D (70-60), E (60-50), Fx (50-40), F (<40).

The oral presentation for the module “Sustainable development applications” (1 credit) plus compulsory participation to the presentation of all students.

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.