Plasma Physics: Applications from edX

This physics course, taught by world-renowned experts in the field, will provide you with an overview of applications in plasma physics. From the study of far distant astrophysical objects, over diverse applications in industry and medicine, to the ultimate goal of sustainable electricity generation from nuclear fusion.

In the first part of this course, you will learn how nuclear fusion powers our Sun and the stars in the Universe. You will explore the cyclic variation of the Sun’s activity, how plasma flows can generate large-scale magnetic fields, and how these fields can reconnect to release large amounts of energy, manifested, for instance, by violent eruptions on the Sun.

The second part of this course discusses the key role of plasma applications in industry and introduces the emerging field of plasma medicine. You will learn in detail how plasmas are generated and sustained in strong electric fields, why plasmas are indispensable for the manufacturing of today’s integrated circuits, and what the prospects are of plasma treatments in cancerology, dentistry and dermatology.

In the third and most extensive part of this course, you will familiarize yourself with the different approaches to fusion energy, the current status, and the necessary steps from present-day experimental devices towards a fusion reactor providing electricity to the grid. You will learn about the key ingredients of a magnetic fusion reactor, how to confine, heat, and control fusion plasmas at temperatures of 100 million degrees Kelvin, explore the challenges of plasma wall interactions and structural materials, and the importance of superconductivity.

Finally, in the fourth part of this course, you will learn about laser-created plasmas and the interaction between plasmas and high-power laser pulses. Applications range from energy production by thermonuclear fusion to laboratory astrophysics, creation of intense sources of high-energy particle and radiation beams, and fundamental studies involving high-field quantum electrodynamics.

To enjoy this course on plasma applications, it is recommended to first familiarize yourself with the plasma physics basics taught in Plasma Physics: Introduction.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Different applications of plasmas
Understanding of the fusion energy challenge, and acquisition of the basis for developing an overall vision of the different r&d elements
Understanding of the main plasma societal applications and relevant tools

Vision and appreciation of the importance of plasmas in space and astrophysics
By solving problems in course content, you will acquire some basic knowledge of matlab programming

Different applications of plasmas
Understanding of the fusion energy challenge, and acquisition of the basis for developing an overall vision of the different r&d elements
Understanding of the main plasma societal applications and relevant tools
Vision and appreciation of the importance of plasmas in space and astrophysics
By solving problems in course content, you will acquire some basic knowledge of matlab programming

Syllabus

Week 1: Plasmas in space and astrophysics

Week 2: Plasma applications in industry and medicine

Week 3: Thermonuclear fusion: an overview

Week 4: Thermonuclear fusion: magnetic confinement

Week 5: Thermonuclear fusion: magnetic confinement II

Week 6: Laser-plasma interaction

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Suitable for learners with some basic knowledge of plasma physics, as it builds on the concepts taught in the prerequisite course

Provides a comprehensive overview of plasma applications, from astrophysics to industry and medicine

Covers the key ingredients and challenges of magnetic fusion reactors, making it relevant for those interested in sustainable energy

Involves solving problems in course content, providing an opportunity to develop basic MATLAB programming skills

Taught by world-renowned experts in plasma physics, indicating the high quality of instruction

Covers laser-plasma interactions and their applications, catering to learners interested in high-power laser physics

Provides a vision for the importance of plasmas in various fields, including space and astrophysics

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Plasma Physics: Applications with these activities:

Review 'Introduction to Plasma Physics'

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Develop a solid foundation in plasma science before the course begins.

View An Indispensable Truth: How Fusion Power Can... on Amazon

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Read chapters 1-5 of the book.
Solve the end-of-chapter exercises for those chapters.

Connect with Plasma Scientists on LinkedIn

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Expand your professional network and learn about career opportunities.

Browse courses on Plasma Physics

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Create a LinkedIn profile.
Search for and connect with plasma scientists.
Join relevant LinkedIn groups and participate in discussions.

Create a Glossary of Plasma Terms

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Understanding the vocabulary used in plasma science is crucial.

Browse courses on Plasma Physics

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Create a list of key plasma terms from the course materials.
Define each term clearly and concisely.
Provide examples or diagrams to illustrate the concepts.
Share your glossary with classmates for feedback.

Six other activities

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Show all nine activities

Explore Plasma Simulation Tools

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Become familiar with plasma simulation software used by professionals.

Browse courses on Plasma Physics

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Identify and download a plasma simulation software package.
Follow tutorials to learn the basics of the software.
Run simulations to explore plasma behavior under different conditions.
Analyze the results of your simulations.

Form a Study Group for Plasma Applications

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Collaborate with peers to enhance your understanding and retention of course material.

Browse courses on Plasma Physics

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Find classmates who are interested in forming a study group.
Set up regular meeting times.
Review course materials together.
Discuss concepts and solve problems.

MATLAB Programming Drills

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MATLAB programming skills are essential for this course.

Browse courses on MATLAB

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Follow tutorials on MATLAB basics.
Solve practice problems involving MATLAB.
Create a MATLAB script that simulates a simple plasma model.

Attend a Plasma Physics Conference

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Connect with experts, learn about research advancements, and gain inspiration.

Browse courses on Plasma Physics

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Identify upcoming plasma physics conferences.
Submit an abstract for a poster or oral presentation (optional).
Attend conference sessions and engage with speakers.

Develop a Research Proposal for a Plasma Application

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Gain hands-on experience in proposing and designing plasma research.

Browse courses on Plasma Physics

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Identify a specific plasma application of interest.
Conduct a literature review to gather background information.
Formulate a research question and hypothesis.
Design a research methodology to test your hypothesis.
Write a research proposal outlining your project.

Contribute to an Open-Source Plasma Physics Project

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Gain real-world experience and contribute to the advancement of plasma science.

Browse courses on Plasma Physics

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Identify open-source plasma physics projects.
Review the documentation and codebase.
Identify areas where you can contribute.
Make a pull request with your contributions.

Career center

Learners who complete Plasma Physics: Applications will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Plasma Physicist

Plasma Physicists study the behavior of plasma, a state of matter composed of ionized gas. Since plasma constitutes over 99 percent of the visible universe, the applications of plasma physics are far-reaching. Plasma Physicists could work on everything from understanding the behavior of stars to developing new fusion energy sources. This course would be a perfect introduction for anyone interested in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Plasma Physicist

Nuclear Engineer

Nuclear Engineers design and operate systems that produce energy from nuclear processes. This course will provide a strong foundation for Nuclear Engineering students and professionals interested in fusion energy, a potential future source of clean and sustainable energy. The course covers the basics of plasma physics and provides an overview of nuclear fusion reactors and the challenges of fusion energy development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nuclear Engineer

Plasma Processing Engineer

Plasma Processing Engineers use plasma to modify the surface of materials. This course would provide a strong theoretical foundation for Plasma Processing Engineers who want to develop new and improved plasma processing techniques.

See salaries and explore the career path for Plasma Processing Engineer

Astrophysicist

Astrophysicists study the physical properties of celestial objects. This course would be of great interest to Astrophysics students and professionals who want to gain a deeper understanding of the plasma physics that governs the behavior of stars and other astronomical objects.

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Materials Scientist

Materials Scientists research and develop new materials for a wide variety of applications. Plasma processing is an important tool for modifying the properties of materials, and this course would provide Materials Scientists with a deeper understanding of plasma physics and its applications in materials science.

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Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Engineers design and build machines and other mechanical systems. Plasma is increasingly being used in a variety of mechanical engineering applications, and this course would provide Mechanical Engineers with a foundational understanding of plasma physics and its applications.

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Electrical Engineer

Electrical Engineers design and build electrical systems and devices. Plasma is used in a variety of electrical engineering applications, and this course would provide Electrical Engineers with a basic understanding of plasma physics and its applications.

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Biomedical Engineer

Biomedical Engineers design and build medical devices and systems. Plasma is increasingly being used in a variety of biomedical engineering applications, and this course may be useful for Biomedical Engineers who want to learn more about these applications.

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Environmental Engineer

Environmental Engineers develop solutions to environmental problems. Plasma is increasingly being used in a variety of environmental engineering applications, and this course may be useful for Environmental Engineers who want to learn more about these applications.

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Chemical Engineer

Chemical Engineers design and build chemical plants and other chemical processing systems. Plasma is increasingly being used in a variety of chemical engineering applications, and this course may be useful for Chemical Engineers who want to learn more about these applications.

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Mining Engineer

Mining Engineers design and build mines and other mining systems. Plasma is increasingly being used in a variety of mining engineering applications, and this course may be useful for Mining Engineers who want to learn more about these applications.

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Industrial Engineer

Industrial Engineers design and improve production systems. Plasma is increasingly being used in a variety of industrial engineering applications, and this course may be useful for Industrial Engineers who want to learn more about these applications.

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Aerospace Engineer

Aerospace Engineers design and build aircraft and spacecraft. Plasma is used in a variety of aerospace engineering applications, and this course may be useful for Aerospace Engineers who want to learn more about these applications.

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Civil Engineer

Civil Engineers design and build infrastructure such as bridges, buildings, and roads. Plasma is increasingly being used in a variety of civil engineering applications, and this course may be useful for Civil Engineers who want to learn more about these applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Civil Engineer

Computer Engineer

Computer Engineers design and build computer systems. Plasma is used in a variety of computer engineering applications, and this course may be useful for Computer Engineers who want to learn more about these applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Engineer