Plasma - a quasi-neutral ensemble of charged and neutral particles that
exhibit a collective behavior.
(From, Introduction to Plasma Physics and
Controlled Fusion, Vol 1,Chapter 1, F. F.
Chen)
- A plasma can be thought of as an ionized gas. In the plasma state, the particles (atoms) are sufficiently energized (hot) that the electrons can remain unbounded from the surrounding ions.
- Because the system is in an ionized state, the entire assembly of particles (both ions and electrons) can be affected by externally applied electric and magnetic fields.
- Furthermore, the self-generated electric and magnetic fields of the charged particles themselves affect the assembly of particles.
- It is this mixture of gas-like (the assembly of freely moving particles) and fluid-like (the long-range interactions among the particles) the distinguishes a plasma from a gas.
Studies and applications of plasmas include:
- astrophysical plasmas - stars, solar wind, nebula
- terrestrial plasmas - aurora, lightning, planetary magnetospheres
- industrial plasmas - plasma processing, fluorescent lighting,
arc discharges
- fusion plasmas - energy production from nuclear fusion
Additional information on plasmas can be found across the Web. Some good places to start include.
(links open new windows)
