Plasma physics for controlled fusion

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This new edition presents essential theoretical and analytical methods for understanding recent tokamak fusion research and alternative approaches. The author details magnetohydrodynamic and kinetic theories of both cold and hot plasmas. Key topics include plasma transport by drift turbulence, influenced by magnetic configurations and zonal flows, which are universal phenomena of microturbulence. These factors can alter the onset criteria for turbulent transport and instabilities driven by energetic particles, as well as alpha particle generation and typical plasma models for computer simulations. The text explains fusion research in tokamaks, including various new H mode versions. It also describes the ITER design concept for both inductively driven and steady-state operations using non-inductive drives. Alternative approaches such as reversed-field pinch and its relaxation process, stellarators including quasi-symmetric systems, open-end tandem mirrors, and inertial confinement are covered. Newly added and updated topics in this edition include zonal flows, various H mode versions, steady-state tokamak operations, ITER design concepts, RFP relaxation processes, quasi-symmetric stellarators, and tandem mirrors. The book is aimed at graduate students and researchers in controlled fusion.