Plasma Physics
10 terms
Plasma Antenna
Plasma Physics
MHz / GHz (RF Operating Frequency)
A radiofrequency antenna that uses ionized plasma gas instead of solid metal conductors to transmit and receive electromagnetic signals.
Conductivity σ_p = (n_e e²) / (m_e (ν_coll - i ω))
Plasma Astrophysics
Plasma Physics
Cosmic Plasma Physics
The branch of astrophysics applying plasma physics and magnetohydrodynamics to model cosmic phenomena throughout the universe.
B² / (2 μ₀) ~ ρ v² ~ P_thermal (Cosmic Equipartition)
Plasma Beta
Plasma Physics
Dimensionless Ratio
The ratio of kinetic thermal plasma pressure to magnetic field pressure in a magnetized plasma.
β = p_kinetic / p_magnetic = (n k_B T) / (B² / (2 μ₀))
Plasma Etching
Plasma Physics
nm/min (Etch Rate) & Aspect Ratio
A semiconductor manufacturing process using reactive gas plasmas to selectively remove surface layers from microchip wafers.
Anisotropic Reactive Ion Etching (RIE)
Plasma Frequency
Plasma Physics
rad/s (Angular Frequency)
The natural characteristic frequency of collective electrostatic electron oscillations in a plasma when perturbed from thermal equilibrium.
ω_pe = √(n_e e² / (m_e ε₀))
Plasma Medicine
Plasma Physics
Biomedical Application
An emerging field of medical physics applying non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasmas directly to living tissues for therapeutic treatment.
RONS Generation: NO, O₂⁻, H₂O₂, OH•, ONOO⁻
Plasma Parameter
Plasma Physics
Dimensionless Number of Particles in Debye Sphere
A fundamental dimensionless number in plasma physics measuring the average number of electrons contained within a Debye sphere.
Λ = n_e λ_D³ ≫ 1
Plasma Sheath
Plasma Physics
V (Sheath Voltage) & m (Thickness ~ λ_D)
A thin non-neutral positive boundary layer formed in a plasma adjacent to any physical wall or electrode.
V_sheath ≈ (k_B T_e / (2 e)) ln(m_i / (2 π m_e)), v_ion ≥ c_s = √(k_B T_e / m_i)
Plasma Torch
Plasma Physics
kW to MW (Electrical Power Input)
An electromechanical device that generates a high-temperature thermal plasma jet by passing inert or reactive gas through an electric arc discharge.
Thermal Equilibrium T_gas ≈ T_electron ~ 5,000–15,000 K
Plasma Wave Dispersion Relations
Plasma Physics
ω vs k (Dispersion Relation Curve)
Mathematical equations relating wave frequency ω to wavevector k for electromagnetic and electrostatic waves propagating through magnetized plasmas.
CMA Diagram (Clemmow-Mullaly-Allis Wave Mode Classification)