Liouvilles theorem. BBGKY hierarchy. Vlasov and Boltzmann equations. Plasma dispersion function. Landau damping. The bump-on-tail instability. Criteria of Nyquist and Penrose. Bernstein modes. The Fokker-Planck equation. Relaxation times. Resistivity. Chapman and Enskog expansions. Drift-kinetic model. Gyrokinetic model. Gyrofluid model. Vlasov-Fluid hybrid model. Two-stream instability. Inverse Landau damping. Collisionless drift waves. Electron and ion temperature gradient instabilities. Loss-cone instability.
FJD3300 Kinetic Plasma Theory 6.0 credits
This course introduces, from first principles, the kinetic theory of plasma. Specifically, the following topics are studied:
• theoretical basis
• basic instabilities and collisional effects
• kinetic plasma models
• kinetic instabilities
Information per course offering
Course offerings are missing for current or upcoming semesters.
Course syllabus as PDF
Please note: all information from the Course syllabus is available on this page in an accessible format.
Course syllabus FJD3300 (Spring 2019–)Headings with content from the Course syllabus FJD3300 (Spring 2019–) are denoted with an asterisk ( )
Content and learning outcomes
Course contents
Intended learning outcomes
When completing the course, the student should be able to
- Derive the basic plasma kinetic equation from first principles
- Discuss applications and validity of the Vlasov and Boltzmann equations
- Describe and explain Landau damping and the two-stream instability
- Describe basic kinetic properties of hot magnetised plasmas
- Derive and explain the Fokker-Planck equation
- Describe basic relaxation processes and collision times
- Distinguish between fully kinetic, drift kinetic, hybrid and gyrofluid models
Literature and preparations
Specific prerequisites
Master in Electrical Engineering or Engineering Physics or similar.
Recommended prerequisites
Master in Electrical Engineering or Engineering Physics or similar.
Literature
You can find information about course literature either in the course memo for the course offering or in the course room in Canvas.
Examination and completion
Grading scale
P, F
Examination
- EXA1 - Examination, 6.0 credits, grading scale: P, 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.
If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.
Other requirements for final grade
Participation in group discussions, completion of home assignments and oral exam.
Examiner
Ethical approach
- 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.
Further information
Course room in Canvas
Registered students find further information about the implementation of the course in the course room in Canvas. A link to the course room can be found under the tab Studies in the Personal menu at the start of the course.
Offered by
Education cycle
Third cycle
Supplementary information
Course main content:
Liouvilles theorem. BBGKY hierarchy. Vlasov and Boltzmann equations. Plasma dispersion function. Landau damping. The bump-on-tail instability. Criteria of Nyquist and Penrose. Bernstein modes. The Fokker-Planck equation. Relaxation times. Resistivity. Chapman and Enskog expansions. Drift-kinetic model. Gyrokinetic model. Gyrofluid model. Vlasov-Fluid hybrid model. Two-stream instability. Inverse Landau damping. Collisionless drift waves. Electron and ion temperature gradient instabilities. Loss-cone instability.
Learning outcomes:
When completing the course, the student should be able to
- Derive the basic plasma kinetic equation from first principles
- Discuss applications and validity of the Vlasov and Boltzmann equations
- Describe and explain Landau damping and the two-stream instability
- Describe basic kinetic properties of hot magnetised plasmas
- Derive and explain the Fokker-Planck equation
- Describe basic relaxation processes and collision times
- Distinguish between fully kinetic, drift kinetic, hybrid and gyrofluid models