Plasma physics

Plasma physics

The branch of physics concerned with matter in its plasma (gas) state in which a certain portion of the particles are ionized.

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Plasma physics

photoionization

Physics; Plasma physics

The ionization of an atom or molecule by the collision of a high energy photon with the particle.

Bohm diffusion

Physics; Plasma physics

A rapid loss of plasma across magnetic field lines caused by microinstabilities. Theory formulated by the physicist David Bohm. From Chen's book (see references): "Semiempirical formula for the ...

debye shielding

Physics; Plasma physics

A fundamental characteristic of the behavior of a plasma is its ability to shield out electric potentials that are applied to it. Electric potential in the neighborhood of a positively charged ...

radiation belts

Physics; Plasma physics

Envelopes of charged particles trapped in the magnetic field of a spatial body. Used for geomagnetically trapped particles and Van Allen radiation belts.

Low frequency waves in an electrically highly conducting fluid (such as a plasma) permeated by static magnetic fields. The restoring forces of the waves are, in general, the combination of a magnetic ...

geomagnetic latitude

Physics; Plasma physics

Angular distances from the geomagnetic equator, measured northward of southward through 90 degrees and labeled N or S to indicate the direction of measurement.

classical diffusion

Physics; Plasma physics

In plasma physics, diffusion due solely to scattering (collisions) of charged particles (with unlike charges) via electrical ("Coulomb") interactions.