Plasma Physics for Controlled Fusion

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This new edition presents essential theoretical and analytical methods for understanding recent fusion research in tokamaks and alternative approaches. It details magnetohydrodynamic and kinetic theories of cold and hot plasmas. Key topics for fusion studies, such as plasma transport by drift turbulence, are covered, emphasizing their dependence on magnetic configuration and zonal flows. These phenomena of microturbulence can influence the onset criteria for turbulent transport and instabilities driven by energetic particles, including alpha particle generation and typical plasma models for computer simulations. The fusion research of tokamaks and various new H mode versions is explained, alongside the design concept of ITER, the international tokamak experimental reactor, focusing on both inductively driven and steady-state operations using non-inductive drives. Alternative approaches, including reversed-field pinch and its relaxation process, stellarators with quasi-symmetric systems, open-end tandem mirrors, and inertial confinement, are also discussed. Newly added and updated topics include zonal flows, various H mode versions, steady-state operations of tokamaks, ITER’s design concept, RFP relaxation processes, quasi-symmetric stellarators, and tandem mirrors. This edition is aimed at graduate students and researchers in controlled fusion.