Magnetohydrodynamics of Laboratory and Astrophysical Plasmas

Hans Goedbloed · Rony Keppens · Stefaan Poedts

Jan 2019 · Cambridge University Press

About this ebook

With ninety per cent of visible matter in the universe existing in the plasma state, an understanding of magnetohydrodynamics is essential for anyone looking to understand solar and astrophysical processes, from stars to accretion discs and galaxies; as well as laboratory applications focused on harnessing controlled fusion energy. This introduction to magnetohydrodynamics brings together the theory of plasma behavior with advanced topics including the applications of plasma physics to thermonuclear fusion and plasma- astrophysics. Topics covered include streaming and toroidal plasmas, nonlinear dynamics, modern computational techniques, incompressible plasma turbulence and extreme transonic and relativistic plasma flows. The numerical techniques needed to apply magnetohydrodynamics are explained, allowing the reader to move from theory to application and exploit the latest algorithmic advances. Bringing together two previous volumes: Principles of Magnetohydrodynamics and Advanced Magnetohydrodynamics, and completely updated with new examples, insights and applications, this volume constitutes a comprehensive reference for students and researchers interested in plasma physics, astrophysics and thermonuclear fusion.

About the author

Hans Goedbloed is Advisor of the Dutch Institute for Fundamental Energy Research (DIFFER), and Professor Emeritus of Theoretical Plasma Physics at Utrecht University. He has been a visiting scientist at laboratories in the Soviet Union, the United States, Brazil and Europe. He has taught at Campinas, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Amsterdam Free University and Utrecht University. For many years he coordinated an interdisciplinary and largescale computational effort with the Dutch Science Organisation on 'Fast Changes in Complex Flows.'

Rony Keppens is Professor and Division Chair at the Centre for mathematical Plasma-Astrophysics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. He headed numerical plasma dynamics teams at FOM-Institute for Plasma Physics 'Rijnhuizen' (now DIFFER) and Leuven and frequently lectures on computational methods in astrophysics. His career started at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, and the Kiepenheuer Institute for Solar Physics, Freiburg. He held a professorship at Utrecht University and a concurrent professorship at Nanjing University. His expertise ranges from solar to high energy astrophysics and includes parallel computing and grid-adaptivity.

Stefaan Poedts is Professor and Chair of the Department of Mathematics at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. He was a post-doctoral researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics, Garching, a senior researcher at the FOM-Institute for plasma physics 'Rijnhuizen', and research associate at the Centre for mathematical Plasma-Astrophysics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. His research interests include solar physics, space weather, thermonuclear fusion, MHD (in)stability, and multi-fluid modelling. He teaches basic math courses, and advanced courses on plasma physics of the Sun and numerical simulation.