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Fundamentals of Plasma Physics

Explore the fourth state of matter in this 8-week course on plasma physics fundamentals and modeling techniques.

Explore the fourth state of matter in this 8-week course on plasma physics fundamentals and modeling techniques.

Dive into the fascinating world of plasma physics with this comprehensive 8-week course. Taught by world-renowned experts, you'll explore plasma, the most abundant form of matter in the universe. This course provides a rigorous introduction to plasma physics, covering essential models from single particle to kinetic and fluid descriptions. You'll learn about plasma waves, magnetic field control, and complex plasma behavior simulations using advanced supercomputers. The curriculum balances theoretical foundations with practical applications, preparing you for further studies in astrophysics, industrial applications, and fusion energy research. By the end of the course, you'll have a solid grasp of plasma physics basics and be equipped with MATLAB programming skills for plasma simulations.

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Fundamentals of Plasma Physics

This course includes

8 Weeks

Of Self-paced video lessons

Intermediate Level

Completion Certificate

awarded on course completion

17,196

What you'll learn

  • Understand the fundamental properties and behavior of plasma as the fourth state of matter

  • Master the kinetic and fluid models used to describe plasma dynamics

  • Analyze plasma waves and their mathematical descriptions

  • Explore the interaction between plasmas and magnetic fields

  • Learn to simulate complex plasma behavior using numerical methods

  • Develop basic MATLAB programming skills for plasma physics applications

Skills you'll gain

Plasma Physics
Kinetic Theory
Fluid Dynamics
Electromagnetic Waves
Fusion Energy
Astrophysics
MATLAB Programming
Numerical Simulation

This course includes:

PreRecorded video

Graded assignments, exams

Access on Mobile, Tablet, Desktop

Limited Access access

Shareable certificate

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There are 4 modules in this course

This introductory course in plasma physics covers the fundamental principles and modeling techniques used to understand plasma behavior. The curriculum is structured over eight weeks, beginning with a description of the plasma state and progressing through kinetic and fluid descriptions of plasmas. Students will learn about the unique properties of plasma as the fourth state of matter and its significance in the universe. The course emphasizes mathematical formalism, including the study of plasma waves and magnetic field interactions. A key component is the introduction to numerical simulation techniques for complex plasma dynamics, including basic MATLAB programming. The course serves as a foundation for understanding plasma applications in various fields, including astrophysics, industrial processes, medicine, and nuclear fusion research. Throughout the course, students will engage with interactive lectures, exercises, and simulations to reinforce their understanding of plasma physics concepts.

Description of the plasma state

Module 1

Kinetic description of plasmas

Module 2

Fluid description of plasmas

Module 3

Fluid description of plasmas II

Module 4

Fee Structure

Instructors

Pioneer in Fusion and Plasma Physics Research

Ambrogio Fasoli is a distinguished physicist and Director of the Swiss Plasma Center at EPFL, where he leads groundbreaking research in fusion and plasma physics. After earning his Ph.D. from EPFL in 1993 studying chaos in plasmas, he worked at JET on fusion power experiments and later joined MIT as an Assistant Professor. Returning to EPFL in 2001, he progressed to Full Professor in 2008 and has since shaped the institution's plasma physics research. As Editor-in-Chief of Nuclear Fusion journal and chair of the FuseNet Academic Council, he plays a crucial role in advancing fusion research globally. Under his leadership, the Swiss Plasma Center has become a leading institution in fusion research, focusing on basic plasma physics, burning plasma physics, and tokamak physics. Fasoli serves as Associate Vice President for Research at EPFL and chairs the European consortium EUROfusion, while maintaining an active teaching role and developing educational initiatives in plasma physics. His contributions have earned him numerous accolades, including fellowship in the American Physical Society and EPFL's best teacher award.

Paolo Ricci
Paolo Ricci

2 Courses

Leading Expert in Plasma Physics and Fusion Research

Paolo Ricci is the newly appointed Director of the Swiss Plasma Center (SPC) and Full Professor at École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). After earning his master's in Nuclear Engineering from Politecnico di Torino, he completed his doctorate at Los Alamos National Laboratory, focusing on kinetic simulation of magnetic reconnection. Following postdoctoral research at Dartmouth College on gyrokinetic simulations, he joined EPFL's Swiss Plasma Center in 2006 as a EURATOM fellow, progressing to Full Professor in October 2023. His research focuses on numerical simulation of laboratory plasmas, plasma turbulence, and fusion physics. A distinguished educator, Ricci has received multiple teaching awards, including the 2016 Section de Physique Teaching Prize and the 2021 Craie d'Or award. He teaches General Physics II at the Bachelor's level and Plasma Physics II at the Master's level, known for his innovative teaching methods that combine traditional lectures with multimedia approaches and practical demonstrations. He also co-developed the world's first MOOC on plasma physics and teaches the PhD course on Magnetic Confinement

Fundamentals of Plasma Physics

This course includes

8 Weeks

Of Self-paced video lessons

Intermediate Level

Completion Certificate

awarded on course completion

17,196

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Frequently asked questions

Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about this course. We aim to provide clear and concise answers to help you better understand the course content, structure, and any other relevant information. If you have any additional questions or if your question is not listed here, please don't hesitate to reach out to our support team for further assistance.