Liouvilles theorem. BBGKY hierarchy. Vlasov and Boltzmann equations. Plasma dispersion function. Landau damping. The bump-on-tail instability. Criteria of Nyquist and Penrose. Bernstein modes. The Fokker-Planck equation. Relaxation times. Resistivity. Chapman and Enskog expansions. Drift-kinetic model. Gyrokinetic model. Gyrofluid model. Vlasov-Fluid hybrid model. Two-stream instability. Inverse Landau damping. Collisionless drift waves. Electron and ion temperature gradient instabilities. Loss-cone instability.

When completing the course, the student should be able to

• Derive the basic plasma kinetic equation from first principles
• Discuss applications and validity of the Vlasov and Boltzmann equations
• Describe and explain Landau damping and the two-stream instability
• Describe basic kinetic properties of hot magnetised plasmas
• Derive and explain the Fokker-Planck equation
• Describe basic relaxation processes and collision times
• Distinguish between fully kinetic, drift kinetic, hybrid and gyrofluid models

The course content is divided into four parts.
For each part
• the student should read the literature before joining
• a discussion meeting, where topics raised by the students should be jointly discussed
• the student should prepare five questions and send them to the course leader in advance

Examination entails
• taking part in group discussions
• handing in answers to specific questions on all four parts of the course 
• correcting the answer sheets after receiving feedback from the course leader
• defending the answers in a brief oral examination

Master in Electrical Engineering or Engineering Physics or similar.    

Literature will be handed out at introductory course meeting.

Students at KTH with a permanent disability can get support during studies from Funka:

Funka - compensatory support for students with disabilities

P, F

• EXA1 - Examination, 6.0 credits, Grading scale: P, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

Examination ( EXA1 )

Participation in group discussions, completion of home assignments and oral exam.

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.