Plasma Physics
4 terms
Bohm Sheath Criterion
Plasma Physics
m/s (Ion Acoustic Sound Speed c_s)
A fundamental boundary condition stating that positive ions entering a non-neutral plasma sheath must enter with a velocity at or exceeding the ion acoustic sound speed c_s.
v_ion ≥ c_s = √(k_B T_e / m_i) (at Sheath Entrance)
Bootstrap Current
Plasma Physics
MA (Plasma Current Fraction)
A self-generated toroidal electric current in a tokamak plasma driven by trapped particle banana orbits in steep pressure gradients.
I_bootstrap ∝ √ε (k_B / B_poloidal) (dn / dr)
Bremsstrahlung Radiation in Plasma
Plasma Physics
W/m³ (Radiated Power Density)
Continuous electromagnetic radiation emitted when free plasma electrons undergo deceleration scattering off positive ions.
P_brems ∝ Z_eff n_e² √T_e
Burning Plasma & Alpha Heating
Plasma Physics
MW (Alpha Particle Heating Power)
The state of a fusion plasma where thermal heating from 3.5 MeV alpha particles produced in Deuterium-Tritium fusion reactions becomes the dominant heat source sustaining the plasma.
P_alpha / P_heating ≥ 50% (Burning Plasma Condition Q ≥ 10)