Plasma Technology and Applications

Code:

PRODEF030

Acronym:

ATP

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Physics Engineering

Instance: 2024/2025 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Course/CS Responsible:	Doctoral Program in Engineering Physics

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
PRODEF	2	Syllabus since 2009/2010	1	-	6	28	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The objective of this curricular unit is the study and cognitive development of two main parts of Plasma Physics – Plasma discharges and Thermonuclear fusion – also respectively known as “cold” and “hot” plasmas. The students must thoroughly know the fundamental properties of these plasmas, their technological applications, from materials processing using plasma reactors to the use of plasma to achieve nuclear fusion.

Students should be familiar with the basic concepts of Plasma Physics, namely discharge plasmas and thermonuclear fusion plasmas and their technological applications. They should also be familiar with nuclear fusion processes and their relationship to plasma physics.

Learning outcomes and competences

The student should be able to apply fundamental concepts of Plasma Physics to real situations.
The student should also acquire the ability to interpret in detail experimental results or numerical summaries carried out.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Plasma Physics

Program

Part I – Plasma discharges
1 – General characteristics of plasma discharges, plasma potential, space charge field. Multiple ionization.
2 – Elemental theory of plasma discharges. Reactivity in plasma discharges; elastic and inelastic collisions.
3 – Applications of plasma discharges: materials processing and biomedical applications.
4 – Reactivity in plasma discharges and plasma surface interaction.
5 – Models used in plasma discharges. Rate balance equations. Electron Boltzmann’s equation in plasma discharges.Part II – Thermonuclear fusion
1 – Nuclear fusion in nature and its energy potential.
Energy released in nuclear fusion reactions. Power balance in a fusion reactor.
2 – Design of a simple fusion reactor. Design goals, basic engineering and nuclear physics constraints.
3 – The Tokamak concept. MHD equilibrium. Energy confinement. Macro and microinstabilities. Classical, neoclassical and anomalous transport.
4 – Diagnostics for nuclear fusion plasmas.

Mandatory literature

..; ..

Teaching methods and learning activities

Reading of books indicated in the bibliography, followed by tutorial sessions to clarify doubts and complementary exposition of fundamental conecpts in Plasma Physics. Throughout this process, the student will solve selected problems.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Trabalho escrito	50,00
Trabalho laboratorial	50,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	20,00
Trabalho laboratorial	16,00
Total:	36,00

Eligibility for exams

Nor applicable

Calculation formula of final grade

CF = 0.5 * CP + 0.5 * TF

CF: Final mark
PC - Resolution of selected problems: 50%
TF - Numerical or experimental work: 50%