Resources for PPPL Interns: Intro e-books

From Preface: "What is computational physics? Here, we take it to mean techniques for simulating continuous physical systems on computers. Since mathematical physics expresses these systems as partial differential equations, an equivalent statement is that computational physics involves solving systems of partial differential equations on a computer."

Fusion: The Energy of the Universe, 2e is an essential reference providing basic principles of fusion energy from its history to the issues and realities progressing from the present day energy crisis. The book provides detailed developments and applications for researchers entering the field of fusion energy research. This second edition includes the latest results from the National Ignition Facility at the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory at Livermore, CA, and the progress on the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) tokamak programme at Caderache, France. Comprehensive coverage- basic principles, detailed developments and practical applications Wide accessibility, but with sufficient detail to keep the technical reader engaged Details the initial discovery of nuclear fusion, current attempts to create nuclear fusion here on earth and today's concern over future energy supply Color illustrations and examples Includes technical notes for aspiring physicists

Both global warming and oil shortage can be solved by controlled fusion, a clean power source that will serve mankind for millennia. The idea of hydrogen fusion as well as its difficulties are presented in non-technical language to dispel the notion that fusion is always 50 years away. This book also summarizes the evidence for climate change and explains the principles of both fossil and "green" energy sources to show that fusion is the best alternative for central-station power in the near term as well as the far future.

Newcomers to the field of inertial confinement fusion (ICF) often have difficulty establishing a clear picture of the overall field. The reason for this is because, while there are many books devoted to special topics within the field, there is none that provides an overview of the field as a whole. An Introduction to Inertial Confinement Fusion fills this gap with an overview of the processes involved in ICF presented at an accessible level. After a broad overview, the book follows the processes from the driver technology to burn physics in chronological order. As each topic appears, the author details the physical concepts and obstacles. The book concludes with a look to the future prospects of the field.

From the Preface: "This book is based on a one-semester course offered at Princeton University
to advanced undergraduates majoring in physics, astrophysics or engineering physics. If the more advanced material, identified by an asterisk after the Chapter heading or Section heading, is included then the book would also be suitable as an introductory text for graduate students entering the field of plasma physics."

The NRL Plasma Formulary has been the mini-Bible of plasma physicists for the past 25 years. It is an eclectic compilation of mathematical and scientific formulas, and contains physical parameters pertinent to a variety of plasma regimes, ranging from laboratory devices to astrophysical objects.

From Preface: "Plasma Physics and Fusion Energy is a textbook about plasma physics, although it is plasma physics with a mission - magnetic fusion energy. The goal is to provide a broad, yet rigorous, overview of the plasma physics necessary to achieve the half century dream of fusion energy.

Plasma Physics gives a comprehensive introduction to the basic processes in plasmas and demonstrates that the same fundamental concepts describe cold gas-discharge plasmas, space plasmas, and hot fusion plasmas. Starting from particle drifts in magnetic fields, the principles of magnetic confinement fusion are explained and compared with laser fusion. Collective processes are discussed in terms of plasma waves and instabilities. The concepts of plasma description by magnetohydrodynamics, kinetic theory, and particle simulation are stepwise introduced.