The National Plasma Physics Formulary PDF

2004
REVISED
NRL PLASMA FORMULARY
J.D. Huba
Beam Physics Branch
Plasma Physics Division
Naval Research Laboratory
Washington, DC 20375
Supported by
The Office of Naval Research
1
FOREWARD
The NRL Plasma Formulary originated over twenty five years ago and
has been revised several times during this period. The guiding spirit and per-
son primarily responsible for its existence is Dr. David Book. I am indebted to
Dave for providing me with the TEX files for the Formulary and his continued
suggestions for improvement. The Formulary has been set in TEX by Dave
Book, Todd Brun, and Robert Scott. Finally, I thank readers for communicat-
ing typographical errors to me.
2
CONTENTS
Numerical and Algebraic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Vector Identities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Differential Operators in Curvilinear Coordinates . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Dimensions and Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
International System (SI) Nomenclature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Metric Prefixes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Physical Constants (SI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Physical Constants (cgs) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Formula Conversion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Maxwells Equations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Electricity and Magnetism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Electromagnetic Frequency/Wavelength Bands . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
AC Circuits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Dimensionless Numbers of Fluid Mechanics . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Shocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Fundamental Plasma Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Plasma Dispersion Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Collisions and Transport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Ionospheric Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Solar Physics Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Thermonuclear Fusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Relativistic Electron Beams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Beam Instabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Approximate Magnitudes in Some Typical Plasmas . . . . . . . . . . 49
Lasers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Atomic Physics and Radiation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Atomic Spectroscopy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Complex (Dusty) Plasmas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
3
NUMERICAL AND ALGEBRAIC
Gain in decibels of P2 relative to P1
G = 10 log 10 (P2 /P1 ).
To within two percent

1/2 2 3 10 3
(2) 2.5; 10; e 20; 2 10 .
Euler-Mascheroni constant1 = 0.57722
Gamma Function (x + 1) = x(x):
(1/6) = 5.5663 (3/5) = 1.4892

(1/5) = 4.5908 (2/3) = 1.3541
(1/4) = 3.6256 (3/4) = 1.2254
(1/3) = 2.6789 (4/5) = 1.1642
(2/5) = 2.2182 (5/6) = 1.1288
(1/2) = 1.7725 = (1) = 1.0
Binomial Theorem (good for | x |< 1 or = positive integer):
X

k ( 1) 2 ( 1)( 2) 3
(1 + x) = x 1 + x + x + x + ....
k 2! 3!
k=0
Rothe-Hagen identity2 (good for all complex x, y, z except when singular):
X
n
x x + kz y y + (n k)z
x + kz k y + (n k)z nk
k=0
x+y x + y + nz
= .
x + y + nz n
Newbergers summation formula3 [good for nonintegral, Re ( + ) > 1]:
X

(1)n Jn (z)J+n (z)
= J+ (z)J (z).
n+ sin
n=
4
VECTOR IDENTITIES4
Notation: f, g, are scalars; A, B, etc., are vectors; T is a tensor; I is the unit

dyad.
(1) A B C = A B C = B C A = B C A = C A B = C A B
(2) A (B C) = (C B) A = (A C)B (A B)C
(3) A (B C) + B (C A) + C (A B) = 0
(4) (A B) (C D) = (A C)(B D) (A D)(B C)
(5) (A B) (C D) = (A B D)C (A B C)D
(6) (f g) = (gf ) = f g + gf
(7) (f A) = f A + A f
(8) (f A) = f A + f A
(9) (A B) = B A A B
(10) (A B) = A( B) B( A) + (B )A (A )B
(11) A ( B) = (B) A (A )B
(12) (A B) = A ( B) + B ( A) + (A )B + (B )A
(13) 2 f = f
(14) 2 A = ( A) A
(15) f = 0
(16) A = 0
If e1 , e2 , e3 are orthonormal unit vectors, a second-order tensor T can be

written in the dyadic form
P
(17) T = Tij ei ej
i,j
In cartesian coordinates the divergence of a tensor is a vector with components

P
(18) (T )i = (Tji /xj )
j
[This definition is required for consistency with Eq. (29)]. In general

(19) (AB) = ( A)B + (A )B
(20) (f T ) = f T +f T
5
Let r = ix + jy + kz be the radius vector of magnitude r, from the origin to
the point x, y, z. Then
(21) r = 3
(22) r = 0
(23) r = r/r
(24) (1/r) = r/r 3
(25) (r/r 3 ) = 4(r)
(26) r = I
If V is a volume enclosed by a surface S and dS = ndS, where n is the unit
normal outward from V,
Z Z
(27) dV f = dSf
V S
Z Z
(28) dV A = dS A
V S
Z Z
(29) dV T = dS T
V S
Z Z
(30) dV A = dS A
V S
Z Z
(31) dV (f 2 g g2 f ) = dS (f g gf )
V S
Z
(32) dV (A B B A)
V Z
= dS (B A A B)
S
If S is an open surface bounded by the contour C, of which the line element is

dl,
Z I
(33) dS f = dlf
S C
6
Z I
(34) dS A = dl A
S C
Z I
(35) (dS ) A = dl A
S C
Z I I
(36) dS (f g) = f dg = gdf
S C C
DIFFERENTIAL OPERATORS IN
CURVILINEAR COORDINATES5
Cylindrical Coordinates
Divergence
1 1 A Az
A= (rAr ) + +
r r r z
Gradient
f 1 f f
(f )r = ; (f ) = ; (f )z =
r r z
Curl
1 Az A
( A)r =
r z
Ar Az
( A) =
z r
1 1 Ar
( A)z = (rA )
r r r
Laplacian

2 1 f 1 2f 2f
f = r + +
r r r r 2 2 z 2
7
Laplacian of a vector
2 2 2 A Ar
( A)r = Ar
r 2 r2
2 Ar A
(2 A) = 2 A +
r 2 r2
2 2
( A)z = Az
Components of (A )B
Br A Br Br A B
(A B)r = Ar + + Az
r r z r
B A B B A Br
(A B) = Ar + + Az +
r r z r
Bz A Bz Bz
(A B)z = Ar + + Az
r r z
Divergence of a tensor
1 1 Tr Tzr T
( T )r = (rTrr ) + +
r r r z r
1 1 T Tz Tr
( T ) = (rTr ) + + +
r r r z r
1 1 Tz Tzz
( T )z = (rTrz ) + +
r r r z
8
Spherical Coordinates
Divergence
1 2 1 1 A
A= 2
(r Ar ) + (sin A ) +
r r r sin r sin
Gradient
f 1 f 1 f
(f )r = ; (f ) = ; (f ) =
r r r sin
Curl
1 1 A
( A)r = (sin A )
r sin r sin
1 Ar 1
( A) = (rA )
r sin r r
1 1 Ar
( A) = (rA )
r r r
Laplacian

2 1 2 f 1 f 1 2f
f = 2 r + 2 sin + 2
r r r r sin r sin2 2
Laplacian of a vector
2Ar 2 A 2 cot A 2 A
(2 A)r = 2 Ar
r2 r 2 r2 r 2 sin
2 2 2 Ar A 2 cos A
( A) = A + 2 2
2
2
r r sin r sin2
A 2 Ar 2 cos A
(2 A) = 2 A 2
+ 2 + 2
r2 sin r sin r sin2
9
Components of (A )B
Br A Br A Br A B + A B
(A B)r = Ar + +
r r r sin r
B A B A B A Br cot A B
(A B) = Ar + + +
r r r sin r r
B A B A B A Br cot A B
(A B) = Ar + + + +
r r r sin r r
Divergence of a tensor
1 2 1
( T )r = (r T rr ) + (sin Tr )
r 2 r r sin
1 Tr T + T
+
r sin r
1 2 1
( T ) = (r T r ) + (sin T )
r 2 r r sin
1 T Tr cot T
+ +
r sin r r
1 2 1
( T ) = (r T r ) + (sin T )
r 2 r r sin
1 T Tr cot T
+ + +
r sin r r
10
DIMENSIONS AND UNITS
To get the value of a quantity in Gaussian units, multiply the value ex-
pressed in SI units by the conversion factor. Multiples of 3 in the conversion
factors result from approximating the speed of light c = 2.9979 1010 cm/sec
3 1010 cm/sec.
Dimensions
Physical Sym- SI Conversion Gaussian
Quantity bol SI Gaussian Units Factor Units
t2 q 2
Capacitance C l farad 9 1011 cm
ml2
m1/2 l3/2
Charge q q coulomb 3 109 statcoulomb
t
q m1/2
Charge coulomb 3 103 statcoulomb
density l3 l3/2 t /m3 /cm3
tq 2 l
Conductance siemens 9 1011 cm/sec
ml2 t
tq 2 1
Conductivity siemens 9 109 sec1
ml3 t /m
q m1/2 l3/2
Current I, i ampere 3 109 statampere
t t2
q m1/2
Current J, j ampere 3 105 statampere
density l2 t l1/2 t2 /m2 /cm2
m m
Density kg/m3 103 g/cm3
l3 l3
q m1/2
Displacement D coulomb 12 105 statcoulomb
l2 l1/2 t /m2 /cm2
ml m1/2 1 4
Electric field E volt/m 10 statvolt/cm
t2 q l1/2 t 3
ml2 m1/2 l1/2 1 2
Electro- E, volt 10 statvolt
motance Emf t2 q t 3
ml2 ml2
Energy U, W joule 107 erg
t2 t2
m m
Energy w, joule/m3 10 erg/cm3
density lt2 lt2
11
Dimensions
ml ml
Force F newton 105 dyne
t2 t2
1 1
Frequency f, hertz 1 hertz
t t
ml2 t 1
Impedance Z ohm 1011 sec/cm
tq 2 l 9
ml2 t2 1
Inductance L henry 1011 sec2 /cm
q2 l 9
Length l l l meter (m) 102 centimeter
(cm)
q m1/2
Magnetic H ampere 4 103 oersted
intensity lt l1/2 t turn/m
ml2 m1/2 l3/2
Magnetic flux weber 108 maxwell
tq t
m m1/2
Magnetic B tesla 104 gauss
tq l1/2 t
induction
l2 q m1/2 l5/2
Magnetic m, amperem2 103 oersted
t t
moment cm3
q m1/2
Magnetization M ampere 4 103 oersted
lt l1/2 t turn/m
q m1/2 l1/2 4
Magneto- M, ampere gilbert
motance Mmf t t2 turn 10
Mass m, M m m kilogram 103 gram (g)

(kg)
ml ml
Momentum p, P kgm/s 105 gcm/sec
t t
m m
Momentum kg/m2 s 101 g/cm2 sec
l2 t l2 t
density
ml 1 7
Permeability 1 henry/m 10
q2 4
12
Dimensions
t2 q 2
Permittivity 1 farad/m 36 109
ml3
q m1/2
Polarization P coulomb/m2 3 105 statcoulomb
l2 l1/2 t
/cm2
ml2 m1/2 l1/2 1
Potential V, volt 102 statvolt
t2 q t 3
ml2 ml2
Power P watt 107 erg/sec
t3 t3
m m
Power watt/m3 10 erg/cm3 sec
lt3 lt3
density
m m
Pressure p, P pascal 10 dyne/cm2
lt2 lt2
q2 1
Reluctance R ampereturn 4 109 cm1
ml2 l /weber
ml2 t 1 11
Resistance R ohm 10 sec/cm
tq 2 l 9
ml3 1 9
Resistivity , t ohmm 10 sec
tq 2 9
ml ml
Thermal con- , k watt/m 105 erg/cmsec
ductivity t3 t3 deg (K) deg (K)
Time t t t second (s) 1 second (sec)
1/2 1/2
ml m l
Vector A weber/m 106 gausscm
potential tq t
l l
Velocity v m/s 102 cm/sec
t t
m m
Viscosity , kg/ms 10 poise
lt lt
1 1
Vorticity s1 1 sec1
t t
ml2 ml2
Work W joule 107 erg
t2 t2
13
INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM (SI) NOMENCLATURE6
Physical Name Symbol Physical Name Symbol

Quantity of Unit for Unit Quantity of Unit for Unit
*length meter m electric volt V
potential
*mass kilogram kg
electric ohm
*time second s resistance
*current ampere A electric siemens S
conductance
*temperature kelvin K
electric farad F
*amount of mole mol capacitance
substance
magnetic flux weber Wb
*luminous candela cd
intensity magnetic henry H
inductance
plane angle radian rad
magnetic tesla T
solid angle steradian sr intensity
frequency hertz Hz luminous flux lumen lm
energy joule J illuminance lux lx
force newton N activity (of a becquerel Bq
radioactive
pressure pascal Pa source)
power watt W absorbed dose gray Gy
(of ionizing
electric charge coulomb C radiation)
*SI base unit Supplementary unit
METRIC PREFIXES
Multiple Prefix Symbol Multiple Prefix Symbol
101 deci d 10 deca da

102 centi c 102 hecto h
103 milli m 103 kilo k
106 micro 106 mega M
109 nano n 109 giga G
1012 pico p 1012 tera T
1015 femto f 1015 peta P
1018 atto a 1018 exa E
14
PHYSICAL CONSTANTS (SI)7
Physical Quantity Symbol Value Units
Boltzmann constant k 1.3807 1023 J K1

Elementary charge e 1.6022 1019 C
Electron mass me 9.1094 1031 kg
Proton mass mp 1.6726 1027 kg
Gravitational constant G 6.6726 1011 m3 s2 kg1
Planck constant h 6.6261 1034 J s
h = h/2 1.0546 1034 J s
Speed of light in vacuum c 2.9979 108 m s1
Permittivity of 0 8.8542 1012 F m1
free space
Permeability of 0 4 107 H m1
free space
Proton/electron mass mp /me 1.8362 103
ratio
Electron charge/mass e/me 1.7588 1011 C kg1
ratio
me4
Rydberg constant R = 1.0974 107 m1
80 2 ch3
Bohr radius a0 = 0 h2 /me2 5.2918 1011 m
Atomic cross section a0 2 8.7974 1021 m2
Classical electron radius re = e2 /40 mc2 2.8179 1015 m
Thomson cross section (8/3)re 2 6.6525 1029 m2
Compton wavelength of h/me c 2.4263 1012 m
electron h/me c 3.8616 1013 m
Fine-structure constant = e2 /20 hc 7.2974 103
1 137.04
First radiation constant c1 = 2hc2 3.7418 1016 W m2
Second radiation c2 = hc/k 1.4388 102 mK
constant
Stefan-Boltzmann 5.6705 108 W m2 K4
constant
15
Wavelength associated 0 = hc/e 1.2398 106 m

with 1 eV
Frequency associated 0 = e/h 2.4180 1014 Hz
with 1 eV
Wave number associated k0 = e/hc 8.0655 105 m1
with 1 eV
Energy associated with h0 1.6022 1019 J
1 eV
Energy associated with hc 1.9864 1025 J
1 m1
Energy associated with me3 /80 2 h2 13.606 eV
1 Rydberg
Energy associated with k/e 8.6174 105 eV
1 Kelvin
Temperature associated e/k 1.1604 104 K
with 1 eV
Avogadro number NA 6.0221 1023 mol1
Faraday constant F = NA e 9.6485 104 C mol1
Gas constant R = NA k 8.3145 J K1 mol1
Loschmidts number n0 2.6868 1025 m3
(no. density at STP)
Atomic mass unit mu 1.6605 1027 kg
Standard temperature T0 273.15 K
5
Atmospheric pressure p0 = n0 kT0 1.0133 10 Pa
Pressure of 1 mm Hg 1.3332 102 Pa
(1 torr)
Molar volume at STP V0 = RT0 /p0 2.2414 102 m3
Molar weight of air Mair 2.8971 102 kg
calorie (cal) 4.1868 J
Gravitational g 9.8067 m s2
acceleration
16
PHYSICAL CONSTANTS (cgs)7
Boltzmann constant k 1.3807 1016 erg/deg (K)

Elementary charge e 4.8032 1010 statcoulomb
(statcoul)
Electron mass me 9.1094 1028 g
Proton mass mp 1.6726 1024 g
Gravitational constant G 6.6726 108 dyne-cm2 /g2
Planck constant h 6.6261 1027 erg-sec
h = h/2 1.0546 1027 erg-sec
Speed of light in vacuum c 2.9979 1010 cm/sec
3
Proton/electron mass mp /me 1.8362 10
ratio
Electron charge/mass e/me 5.2728 1017 statcoul/g
ratio
2 2 me4
Rydberg constant R = 1.0974 105 cm1
ch3
Bohr radius a0 = h2 /me2 5.2918 109 cm
2 17
Atomic cross section a0 8.7974 10 cm2
Classical electron radius re = e2 /mc2 2.8179 1013 cm
Thomson cross section (8/3)re 2 6.6525 1025 cm2
Compton wavelength of h/me c 2.4263 1010 cm
electron h/me c 3.8616 1011 cm
Fine-structure constant = e2 /hc 7.2974 103
1 137.04
First radiation constant c1 = 2hc2 3.7418 105 erg-cm2 /sec
Second radiation c2 = hc/k 1.4388 cm-deg (K)
constant
Stefan-Boltzmann 5.6705 105 erg/cm2 -
constant sec-deg4
Wavelength associated 0 1.2398 104 cm
with 1 eV
17
Frequency associated 0 2.4180 1014 Hz

with 1 eV
Wave number associated k0 8.0655 103 cm1
with 1 eV
Energy associated with 1.6022 1012 erg
1 eV
Energy associated with 1.9864 1016 erg
1 cm1
Energy associated with 13.606 eV
1 Rydberg
Energy associated with 8.6174 105 eV
1 deg Kelvin
Temperature associated 1.1604 104 deg (K)
with 1 eV
Avogadro number NA 6.0221 1023 mol1
Faraday constant F = NA e 2.8925 1014 statcoul/mol
Gas constant R = NA k 8.3145 107 erg/deg-mol
Loschmidts number n0 2.6868 10 19
cm3
(no. density at STP)
Atomic mass unit mu 1.6605 1024 g
Standard temperature T0 273.15 deg (K)
Atmospheric pressure p0 = n0 kT0 1.0133 106 dyne/cm2
Pressure of 1 mm Hg 1.3332 103 dyne/cm2
(1 torr)
Molar volume at STP V0 = RT0 /p0 2.2414 104 cm3
Molar weight of air Mair 28.971 g
7
calorie (cal) 4.1868 10 erg
Gravitational g 980.67 cm/sec2
acceleration
18
FORMULA CONVERSION8
Here = 102 cm m1 , = 107 erg J1 , 0 = 8.8542 1012 F m1 ,
0 = 4107 H m1 , c = (0 0 )1/2 = 2.9979108 m s1 , and h = 1.0546
1034 J s. To derive a dimensionally correct SI formula from one expressed in
Gaussian units, substitute for each quantity according to Q = kQ, where k is
the coefficient in the second column of the table corresponding to Q (overbars
denote variables expressed in Gaussian units). Thus, the formula a0 = h 2 /m e2
for the Bohr radius becomes a0 = (h)2 /[(m/2 )(e2 /40 )], or a0 =
0 h2 /me2 . To go from SI to natural units in which h = c = 1 (distinguished
by a circumflex), use Q = k1 Q, where k is the coefficient corresponding to
Q in the third column. Thus a0 = 40 h2 /[(mh/c)(e2 0 hc)] = 4/m e2 . (In
transforming from SI units, do not substitute for 0 , 0 , or c.)
Physical Quantity Gaussian Units to SI Natural Units to SI
Capacitance /40 0 1
Charge (/40 )1/2 (0 hc)1/2
Charge density (/45 0 )1/2 (0 hc)1/2
Current (/40 )1/2 (0 /hc)1/2
Current density (/43 0 )1/2 (0 /hc)1/2
Electric field (40 /3 )1/2 (0 /hc)1/2
Electric potential (40 /)1/2 (0 /hc)1/2
Electric conductivity (40 )1 0 1
Energy (hc)1
Energy density /3 (hc)1
Force / (hc)1
Frequency 1 c1
Inductance 40 / 0 1
Length 1
Magnetic induction (4/3 0 )1/2 (0 hc)1/2
Magnetic intensity (40 /3 )1/2 (0 /hc)1/2
Mass /2 c/h
Momentum / h1
Power (hc2 )1
Pressure /3 (hc)1
Resistance 40 / (0 /0 )1/2
Time 1 c
Velocity c1
19
MAXWELLS EQUATIONS
Name or Description SI Gaussian

B 1 B
Faradays law E= E=
t c t
D 1 D 4
Amperes law H= +J H= + J
t c t c
Poisson equation D= D = 4
[Absence of magnetic B=0 B=0
monopoles]
1
Lorentz force on q (E + v B) q E+ vB
charge q c
Constitutive D = E D = E
relations B = H B = H
In a plasma, 0 = 4 107 H m1 (Gaussian units: 1). The

permittivity satisfies 0 = 8.8542 1012 F m1 (Gaussian: 1)
provided that all charge is regarded as free. Using the drift approximation
v = E B/B 2 to calculate polarization charge density gives rise to a dielec-
tric constant K /0 = 1 + 36 109 /B 2 (SI) = 1 + 4c2 /B 2 (Gaussian),
where is the mass density.
The electromagnetic energy in volume V is given by
Z
1
W = dV (H B + E D) (SI)
2
ZV
1
= dV (H B + E D) (Gaussian).
8
V
Poyntings theorem is
Z Z
W
+ N dS = dV J E,
t
S V
where S is the closed surface bounding V and the Poynting vector (energy flux
across S) is given by N = E H (SI) or N = cE H/4 (Gaussian).
20
ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM
In the following, = dielectric permittivity, = permeability of conduc-
0
tor, = permeability of surrounding medium, = conductivity, f = /2 =
radiation frequency, m = /0 and e = /0 . Where subscripts are used,
1 denotes a conducting medium and 2 a propagating (lossless dielectric)
medium. All units are SI unless otherwise specified.
Permittivity of free space 0 = 8.8542 1012 F m1

Permeability of free space 0 = 4 107 H m1
= 1.2566 106 H m1
Resistance of free space R0 = (0 /0 )1/2 = 376.73
Capacity of parallel plates of area C = A/d
A, separated by distance d
Capacity of concentric cylinders C = 2l/ ln(b/a)
of length l, radii a, b
Capacity of concentric spheres of C = 4ab/(b a)
radii a, b
Self-inductance of wire of length L = l
l, carrying uniform current
Mutual inductance of parallel wires L = (0 l/4) [1 + 4 ln(d/a)]
of length l, radius a, separated
by distance d

Inductance of circular loop of radius L =b 0 [ln(8b/a) 2] + /4
b, made of wire of radius a,
carrying uniform current
Relaxation time in a lossy medium = /
Skin depth in a lossy medium = (2/)1/2 = (f )1/2
Wave impedance in a lossy medium Z = [/( + i/)]1/2
Transmission coefficient at T = 4.22 104 (f m1 e2 /)1/2
conducting surface9
(good only for T 1)
Field at distance r from straight wire B = I/2r tesla
carrying current I (amperes) = 0.2I/r gauss (r in cm)
Field at distance z along axis from Bz = a2 I/[2(a2 + z 2 )3/2 ]
circular loop of radius a
carrying current I
21
ELECTROMAGNETIC FREQUENCY/
WAVELENGTH BANDS10
Frequency Range Wavelength Range

Designation
Lower Upper Lower Upper
ULF* 30 Hz 10 Mm
VF* 30 Hz 300 Hz 1 Mm 10 Mm
ELF 300 Hz 3 kHz 100 km 1 Mm
VLF 3 kHz 30 kHz 10 km 100 km
LF 30 kHz 300 kHz 1 km 10 km
MF 300 kHz 3 MHz 100 m 1 km
HF 3 MHz 30 MHz 10 m 100 m
VHF 30 MHz 300 MHz 1m 10 m
UHF 300 MHz 3 GHz 10 cm 1m
SHF 3 GHz 30 GHz 1 cm 10 cm
S 2.6 3.95 7.6 11.5
G 3.95 5.85 5.1 7.6
J 5.3 8.2 3.7 5.7
H 7.05 10.0 3.0 4.25
X 8.2 12.4 2.4 3.7
M 10.0 15.0 2.0 3.0
P 12.4 18.0 1.67 2.4
K 18.0 26.5 1.1 1.67
R 26.5 40.0 0.75 1.1
EHF 30 GHz 300 GHz 1 mm 1 cm
Submillimeter 300 GHz 3 THz 100 m 1 mm
Infrared 3 THz 430 THz 700 nm 100 m
Visible 430 THz 750 THz 400 nm 700 nm
Ultraviolet 750 THz 30 PHz 10 nm 400 nm
X Ray 30 PHz 3 EHz 100 pm 10 nm
Gamma Ray 3 EHz 100 pm
In spectroscopy the angstrom is sometimes used (1A = 108 cm = 0.1 nm).
*The boundary between ULF and VF (voice frequencies) is variously defined.
The SHF (microwave) band is further subdivided approximately as shown.11
22
AC CIRCUITS
For a resistance R, inductance L, and capacitance
C in series with
a voltage source V = V0 exp(it) (here i = 1), the current is given
by I = dq/dt, where q satisfies
d2q dq q
L 2 +R + = V.
dt dt C
Solutions are q(t) = qs + qt , I(t) = Is + It , where the steady state is

Is = iqs = V /Z in terms of the impedance Z = R + i(L 1/C) and
It = dqt /dt. For initial conditions q(0) q0 = q0 + qs , I(0) I0 , the
transients can be of three types, depending on = R2 4L/C:
(a) Overdamped, > 0
I0 + + q0 I0 + q0
qt = exp( t) exp(+ t),
+ +
+ (I0 + q0 ) (I0 + + q0 )
It = exp(+ t) exp( t),
+ +
where = (R 1/2 )/2L;

(b) Critically damped, = 0
qt = [q0 + (I0 + R q0 )t] exp(R t),

It = [I0 (I0 + R q0 )R t] exp(R t),
where R = R/2L;
(c) Underdamped, < 0
h i
R q0 + I0
qt = sin 1 t + q0 cos 1 t exp(R t),
1
h i
(1 2 + R 2 )q0 + R I0
It = I0 cos 1 t sin(1 t) exp(R t),
1
Here 1 = 0 (1 R2 C/4L)1/2 , where 0 = (LC)1/2 is the resonant

frequency. At = 0 , Z = R. The quality of the circuit is Q = 0 L/R.
Instability results when L, R, C are not all of the same sign.
23
DIMENSIONLESS NUMBERS OF FLUID MECHANICS12
Name(s) Symbol Definition Significance
Alfven, Al, Ka VA /V *(Magnetic force/

Karman inertial force)1/2
Bond Bd (0 )L2 g/ Gravitational force/
surface tension
Boussinesq B V /(2gR)1/2 (Inertial force/
gravitational force)1/2
Brinkman Br V 2 /kT Viscous heat/conducted heat
Capillary Cp V / Viscous force/surface tension
Carnot Ca (T2 T1 )/T2 Theoretical Carnot cycle
efficiency
Cauchy, Cy, Hk V 2 / = M2 Inertial force/
Hooke compressibility force
Chandra- Ch B 2 L2 / Magnetic force/dissipative
sekhar forces
Clausius Cl LV 3 /kT Kinetic energy flow rate/heat
conduction rate
Cowling C (VA /V )2 = Al2 Magnetic force/inertial force
Crispation Cr /L Effect of diffusion/effect of
surface tension
Dean D D 3/2 V /(2r)1/2 Transverse flow due to
curvature/longitudinal flow
[Drag CD (0 )Lg/ Drag force/inertial force
coefficient] 0 V 2
Eckert E V 2 /cp T Kinetic energy/change in
thermal energy
Ekman Ek (/2L2 )1/2 = (Viscous force/Coriolis force)1/2
(Ro/Re)1/2
Euler Eu p/V 2 Pressure drop due to friction/
dynamic pressure
Froude Fr V /(gL)1/2 (Inertial force/gravitational or
V /N L buoyancy force)1/2
GayLussac Ga 1/T Inverse of relative change in
volume during heating
Grashof Gr gL3 T / 2 Buoyancy force/viscous force
[Hall CH /rL Gyrofrequency/
coefficient] collision frequency
*() Also defined as the inverse (square) of the quantity shown.
24
Name(s) Symbol Definition Significance
Hartmann H BL/()1/2 = (Magnetic force/

(Rm Re C)1/2 dissipative force)1/2
Knudsen Kn /L Hydrodynamic time/
collision time
Lewis Le /D *Thermal conduction/molecular
diffusion
Lorentz Lo V /c Magnitude of relativistic effects
Lundquist Lu 0 LVA / = J B force/resistive magnetic
Al Rm diffusion force
Mach M V /CS Magnitude of compressibility
effects
Magnetic Mm V /VA = Al1 (Inertial force/magnetic force)1/2
Mach
Magnetic Rm 0 LV / Flow velocity/magnetic diffusion
Reynolds velocity
Newton Nt F/L2 V 2 Imposed force/inertial force
Nusselt N L/k Total heat transfer/thermal
conduction
Peclet Pe LV / Heat convection/heat conduction
Poisseuille Po D 2 p/LV Pressure force/viscous force
Prandtl Pr / Momentum diffusion/
heat diffusion
Rayleigh Ra gH 3 T / Buoyancy force/diffusion force
Reynolds Re LV / Inertial force/viscous force
2
Richardson Ri (N H/V ) Buoyancy effects/
vertical shear effects
Rossby Ro V /2L sin Inertial force/Coriolis force
Schmidt Sc /D Momentum diffusion/
molecular diffusion
Stanton St /cp V Thermal conduction loss/
heat capacity
Stefan Sf LT 3 /k Radiated heat/conducted heat
Stokes S /L2 f Viscous damping rate/
vibration frequency
Strouhal Sr f L/V Vibration speed/flow velocity
Taylor Ta (2L2 /)2 Centrifugal force/viscous force
R1/2 (R)3/2 (Centrifugal force/
(/) viscous force)1/2
Thring, Th, Bo cp V /T 3 Convective heat transport/
Boltzmann radiative heat transport
Weber W LV 2 / Inertial force/surface tension
25
Nomenclature:
B Magnetic induction
Cs , c Speeds of sound, light
cp Specific heat at constant pressure (units m2 s2 K1 )
D = 2R Pipe diameter
F Imposed force
f Vibration frequency
g Gravitational acceleration
H, L Vertical, horizontal length scales
k = cp Thermal conductivity (units kg m1 s2 )
N = (g/H)1/2 BruntVaisala frequency
R Radius of pipe or channel
r Radius of curvature of pipe or channel
rL Larmor radius
T Temperature
V Characteristic flow velocity
VA = B/(0 )1/2 Alfven speed
T
Newtons-law heat coefficient, k = T
x
Volumetric expansion coefficient, dV /V = dT
Bulk modulus (units kg m1 s2 )
R, V, p, T Imposed differences in two radii, velocities,
pressures, or temperatures
Surface emissivity
Electrical resistivity
, D Thermal, molecular diffusivities (units m2 s1 )
Latitude of point on earths surface
Collisional mean free path
= Viscosity
0 Permeability of free space
Kinematic viscosity (units m2 s1 )
Mass density of fluid medium
0 Mass density of bubble, droplet, or moving object
Surface tension (units kg s2 )
StefanBoltzmann constant
Solid-body rotational angular velocity
26
SHOCKS
At a shock front propagating in a magnetized fluid at an angle with

respect to the magnetic induction B, the jump conditions are 13,14
(1) U = U q;
(2) U 2 + p + B2 /2 = U 2 + p + B2 /2;
(3) U V Bk B / = U V Bk B /;
(4) Bk = Bk ;
(5) U B V Bk = U B V Bk ;
2
(6) 1
2 (U + V 2 ) + w + (U B2 V Bk B )/U
2
= 1
2 (U + V 2 ) + w + (U B2 V Bk B )/U .
Here U and V are components of the fluid velocity normal and tangential to
the front in the shock frame; = 1/ is the mass density; p is the pressure;
B = B sin , Bk = B cos ; is the magnetic permeability ( = 4 in cgs
units); and the specific enthalpy is w = e + p, where the specific internal
energy e satisfies de = T ds pd in terms of the temperature T and the
specific entropy s. Quantities in the region behind (downstream from) the
front are distinguished by a bar. If B = 0, then15
(7) U U = [(p p)( )]1/2 ;
(8) (p p)( )1 = q 2 ;
1
(9) w w = 2 (p p)( + );
1
(10) e e = 2 (p + p)( ).
In what follows we assume that the fluid is a perfect gas with adiabatic index
= 1 + 2/n, where n is the number of degrees of freedom. Then p = RT /m,
where R is the universal gas constant and m is the molar weight; the sound
speed is given by Cs 2 = (p/)s = p; and w = e = p/( 1). For a
general oblique shock in a perfect gas the quantity X = r 1 (U/VA )2 satisfies14

(11) (X/)(Xcos2 )2 = X sin2 [1 + (r 1)/2] X cos2 , where
r = /, = 1
2 [ + 1 ( 1)r], and = Cs 2 /VA 2 = 4p/B 2 .
The density ratio is bounded by
(12) 1 < r < ( + 1)/( 1).
If the shock is normal to B (i.e., if = /2), then
2
2 2

(13) U = (r/) Cs + VA [1 + (1 /2)(r 1)] ;
(14) U/U = B/B = r;
27
(15) V = V ;
(16) p = p + (1 r 1 )U 2 + (1 r 2 )B 2 /2.
If = 0, there are two possibilities: switch-on shocks, which require < 1 and
for which
(17) U 2 = rVA 2 ;
(18) U = VA 2 /U ;
(19) B2 = 2Bk2 (r 1)( );
(20) V = U B /Bk ;
(21) p = p + U 2 (1 + )(1 r 1 ),
and acoustic (hydrodynamic) shocks, for which
(22) U 2 = (r/)Cs 2 ;
(23) U = U/r;
(24) V = B = 0;
(25) p = p + U 2 (1 r 1 ).
For acoustic shocks the specific volume and pressure are related by
(26) / = [( + 1)p + ( 1)p] / [( 1)p + ( + 1)p].
In terms of the upstream Mach number M = U/Cs ,
(27) / = / = U/U = ( + 1)M 2 /[( 1)M 2 + 2];
(28) p/p = (2M 2 + 1)/( + 1);
(29) T /T = [( 1)M 2 + 2](2M 2 + 1)/( + 1)2 M 2 ;
(30) M 2 = [( 1)M 2 + 2]/[2M 2 + 1].
The entropy change across the shock is
(31) s s s = c ln[(p/p)(/) ],
where c = R/( 1)m is the specific heat at constant volume; here R is the
gas constant. In the weak-shock limit (M 1),
2( 1) 16R
(32) s c (M 2 1)3 (M 1)3 .
3( + 1) 3( + 1)m
The radius at time t of a strong spherical blast wave resulting from the explo-
sive release of energy E in a medium with uniform density is
(33) RS = C0 (Et2 /)1/5 ,
where C0 is a constant depending on . For = 7/5, C0 = 1.033.
28
FUNDAMENTAL PLASMA PARAMETERS
All quantities are in Gaussian cgs units except temperature (T , Te , Ti )

expressed in eV and ion mass (mi ) expressed in units of the proton mass,
= mi /mp ; Z is charge state; k is Boltzmanns constant; K is wavenumber;
is the adiabatic index; ln is the Coulomb logarithm.
Frequencies
electron gyrofrequency fce = ce /2 = 2.80 106 B Hz
ce = eB/me c = 1.76 107 B rad/sec
ion gyrofrequency fci = ci /2 = 1.52 103 Z1 B Hz
ci = ZeB/mi c = 9.58 103 Z1 B rad/sec
electron plasma frequency fpe = pe /2 = 8.98 103 ne 1/2 Hz
pe = (4ne e2 /me )1/2
= 5.64 104 ne 1/2 rad/sec
ion plasma frequency fpi = pi /2
= 2.10 102 Z1/2 ni 1/2 Hz
pi = (4ni Z 2 e2 /mi )1/2
= 1.32 103 Z1/2 ni 1/2 rad/sec
electron trapping rate T e = (eKE/me )1/2
= 7.26 108 K 1/2 E 1/2 sec1
ion trapping rate T i = (ZeKE/mi )1/2
= 1.69 107 Z 1/2 K 1/2 E 1/2 1/2 sec1
electron collision rate e = 2.91 106 ne ln Te 3/2 sec1
ion collision rate i = 4.80 108 Z 4 1/2 ni ln Ti 3/2 sec1
Lengths
electron deBroglie length = h/(me kTe )1/2 = 2.76 108 Te 1/2 cm
classical distance of e2 /kT = 1.44 107 T 1 cm
minimum approach
electron gyroradius re = vT e /ce = 2.38Te 1/2 B 1 cm
ion gyroradius ri = vT i /ci
= 1.02 102 1/2 Z 1 Ti 1/2 B 1 cm
electron inertial length c/pe = 5.31 105 ne 1/2 cm
ion inertial length c/pi = 2.28 107 (/ni )1/2 cm
Debye length D = (kT /4ne2 )1/2 = 7.43 102 T 1/2 n1/2 cm
29
Velocities
electron thermal velocity vT e = (kTe /me )1/2
= 4.19 107 Te 1/2 cm/sec
ion thermal velocity vT i = (kTi /mi )1/2
= 9.79 105 1/2 Ti 1/2 cm/sec
ion sound velocity Cs = (ZkTe /mi )1/2
= 9.79 105 (ZTe /)1/2 cm/sec
Alfven velocity vA = B/(4ni mi )1/2
= 2.18 1011 1/2 ni 1/2 B cm/sec
Dimensionless
(electron/proton mass ratio)1/2 (me /mp )1/2 = 2.33 102 = 1/42.9
number of particles in (4/3)nD 3 = 1.72 109 T 3/2 n1/2
Debye sphere
Alfven velocity/speed of light vA /c = 7.281/2 ni 1/2 B
electron plasma/gyrofrequency pe /ce = 3.21 103 ne 1/2 B 1
ratio
ion plasma/gyrofrequency ratio pi /ci = 0.1371/2 ni 1/2 B 1
thermal/magnetic energy ratio = 8nkT /B 2 = 4.03 1011 nT B 2
magnetic/ion rest energy ratio B 2 /8ni mi c2 = 26.51 ni 1 B 2
Miscellaneous
Bohm diffusion coefficient DB = (ckT /16eB)
= 6.25 106 T B 1 cm2 /sec
transverse Spitzer resistivity = 1.15 1014 Z ln T 3/2 sec
= 1.03 102 Z ln T 3/2 cm
The anomalous collision rate due to low-frequency ion-sound turbulence is
e /kT = 5.64 10 ne
* pe W
4 1/2
e /kT sec
W
1
,
e is the total energy of waves with /K < vT i .

where W
Magnetic pressure is given by
Pmag = B 2 /8 = 3.98 106 (B/B0 )2 dynes/cm2 = 3.93(B/B0 )2 atm,

where B0 = 10 kG = 1 T.
Detonation energy of 1 kiloton of high explosive is
12 19
WkT = 10 cal = 4.2 10 erg.
30
PLASMA DISPERSION FUNCTION
Definition16 (first form valid only for Im > 0):

Z Z
1/2
+
dt exp t2
2
i
2

Z() = = 2i exp dt exp t .
t

Physically, = x + iy is the ratio of wave phase velocity to thermal velocity.

Differential equation:
dZ d2 Z dZ
= 2 (1 + Z) , Z(0) = i 1/2 ; 2
+ 2 + 2Z = 0.
d d d
Real argument (y = 0):
Z
2
x

Z(x) = exp x i 1/2 2 dt exp t 2
.
0
Imaginary argument (x = 0):

Z(iy) = i 1/2 exp y 2 [1 erf(y)] .
Power series (small argument):

Z() = i 1/2 exp 2 2 1 2 2 /3 + 4 4 /15 8 6 /105 + .
Asymptotic series, || 1 (Ref. 17):

1/2 2
1 2 4 6

Z() = i exp 1 + 1/2 + 3/4 + 15/8 + ,
where 0 y > |x|1

= 1 |y| < |x|1
2 y < |x|1
Symmetry properties (the asterisk denotes complex conjugation):
Z(*) = [Z()]*;
Z(*) = [Z()] * + 2i 1/2 exp[(*)2 ] (y > 0).

Two-pole approximations18 (good for in upper half plane except when y <
1/2 x2 exp(x2 ), x 1):
0.50 + 0.81i 0.50 0.81i
Z() , a = 0.51 0.81i;
a a* +
0 0.50 + 0.96i 0.50 0.96i
Z () + , b = 0.48 0.91i.
(b )2 (b* + )2
31
COLLISIONS AND TRANSPORT
Temperatures are in eV; the corresponding value of Boltzmanns constant

is k = 1.60 1012 erg/eV; masses , 0 are in units of the proton mass;
e = Z e is the charge of species . All other units are cgs except where
noted.
Relaxation Rates
Rates are associated with four relaxation processes arising from the in-
teraction of test particles (labeled ) streaming with velocity v through a
background of field particles (labeled ):
dv
slowing down = s| v
dt
d 2 | 2
transverse diffusion (v v ) = v
dt
d 2 | 2
parallel diffusion (v v )k = k v
dt
d 2 | 2
energy loss v = v ,
dt
where v = |v | and the averages are performed over an ensemble of test

particles and a Maxwellian field particle distribution. The exact formulas may
be written19
|
s| = (1 + m /m )(x| )0 ;
|
| | 0 |
|
= 2 (1 1/2x )(x ) + (x ) 0 ;
|
|
k = (x| )/x| 0 ;
|
| 0 |
|
= 2 (m /m )(x ) (x ) 0 ,
where
|
0 = 4e 2 e 2 n /m 2 v 3 ; x| = m v 2 /2kT ;
Z x
2 d
(x) = dt t1/2 et ; 0 (x) = ,
dx
0
and = ln is the Coulomb logarithm (see below). Limiting forms of

s , and k are given in the following table. All the expressions shown
32
have units cm3 sec1 . Test particle energy and field particle temperature T
are both in eV; = mi /mp where mp is the proton mass; Z is ion charge
state; in electronelectron and ionion encounters, field particle quantities are
distinguished by a prime. The two expressions given below for each rate hold
for very slow (x| 1) and very fast (x| 1) test particles, respectively.
Slow Fast
Electronelectron
se|e /ne ee 5.8 106 T 3/2 7.7 106 3/2
e|e
/ne ee 5.8 106 T 1/2 1 7.7 106 3/2
e|e
k /ne ee 2.9 106 T 1/2 1 3.9 106 T 5/2
Electronion
se|i /ni Z 2 ei 0.233/2 T 3/2 3.9 106 3/2
e|i
/ni Z 2 ei 2.5 104 1/2 T 1/2 1 7.7 106 3/2
e|i
k /ni Z 2 ei 1.2 104 1/2 T 1/2 1 2.1 109 1 T 5/2
Ionelectron
si|e /ne Z 2 ie 1.6 109 1 T 3/2 1.7 104 1/2 3/2
i|e 2 9 1 1/2 1 7 1/2 3/2
/ne Z ie 3.2 10 T 1.8 10
i|e
k /ne Z 2 ie 1.6 109 1 T 1/2 1 1.7 104 1/2 T 5/2
Ionion
0 01/2 1/2
si|i 8 0 3/2
6.8 10 1+ T
ni0 Z 2 Z 02 ii0
8 1 1 1/2
9.0 10 + 0
3/2
i|i0

1.4 107 01/2 1 T 1/2 1
ni 0 Z 2 Z 02 ii0
1.8 107 1/2 3/2
i|i0
k
8 01/2 1 1/2 1
6.8 10 T
ni 0 Z 2 Z 02 ii0
8 1/2 01 5/2
9.0 10 T
In the same limits, the energy transfer rate follows from the identity
= 2s k ,
except for the case of fast electrons or fast ions scattered by ions, where the
leading terms cancel. Then the appropriate forms are
e|i 4.2 109 ni Z 2 ei

3/2 1 8.9 104 (/T )1/2 1 exp(1836/T ) sec1
33
and
i|i0 7 2 02
1.8 10 ni0 Z Z ii0
3/2 1/2 0 0 1/2 1 0
1
/ 1.1( /T ) exp( /T ) sec .
In general, the energy transfer rate | is positive for > * and nega-
tive for < *, where x* = (m /m ) */T is the solution of 0 (x*) =
(m |m )(x*). The ratio */T is given for a number of specific , in the
following table:
| i|e e|e, i|i e|p e|D e|T, e|He3 e|He4

*
1.5 0.98 4.8 103 2.6 103 1.8 103 1.4 103
T
When both species are near Maxwellian, with Ti <

Te , there are just
two characteristic collision rates. For Z = 1,
e = 2.9 106 nTe 3/2 sec1 ;

8 3/2 1/2 1
i = 4.8 10 nTi sec .
Temperature Isotropization
Isotropization is described by
dT 1 dTk
= = T (T Tk ),
dt 2 dt
where, if A T /Tk 1 > 0,

1
2 e 2 e 2 n tan (A 1/2
)

T = 1/2 (kT
A2 3 + (A + 3) .
m k )3/2 A1/2
If A < 0, tan1 (A1/2 )/A1/2 is replaced by tanh1 (A)1/2 /(A)1/2 . For

T T k T ,
e
T = 8.2 107 nT 3/2 sec1 ;
i 8 2 1/2 3/2 1
T = 1.9 10 nZ T sec .
34
Thermal Equilibration
If the components of a plasma have different temperatures, but no rela-
tive drift, equilibration is described by
dT
X
|
= (T T ),
dt

where
| 19 (m m )1/2 Z 2 Z 2 n 1
= 1.8 10 sec .
(m T + m T )3/2
For electrons and ions with Te Ti T , this implies
e|i i|e 9 2 3/2 3 1

/ni = /ne = 3.2 10 Z /T cm sec .
Coulomb Logarithm
For test particles of mass m and charge e = Z e scattering off field
particles of mass m and charge e = Z e, the Coulomb logarithm is defined
as = ln ln(rmax /rmin ). Here rmin is the larger of e e /m u2 and
h/2m u, averaged over both particle velocity distributions,
P where m =
m m /(m + m ) and u = v v ; rmax = (4 n e /kT )1/2 , where
2
the summation extends over all species for which u2 < vT 2 = kT /m . If

this inequality cannot be satisfied, or if either uc 1 < rmax or uc 1 <
rmax , the theory breaks down. Typically 1020. Corrections to the trans-
port coefficients are O(1 ); hence the theory is good only to 10% and fails
when 1.
The following cases are of particular interest:
(a) Thermal electronelectron collisions
ee = 23 ln(ne 1/2 Te 3/2 ), Te <

10 eV;
1/2 1
= 24 ln(ne Te ), Te >
10 eV.
(b) Electronion collisions

ei = ie = 23 ln ne 1/2 ZTe3/2 , Ti me /mi < Te < 10Z 2 eV;
1/2 1
2
= 24 ln ne Te , Ti me /mi < 10Z eV < Te

= 30 ln ni 1/2 Ti 3/2 Z 2 1 , Te < Ti Zme /mi .
35
(c) Mixed ionion collisions
1/2
0 0 2 02
ZZ ( + ) ni Z ni 0 Z
ii0 = i0 i = 23 ln + .
Ti0 + 0 Ti Ti Ti 0
(d) Counterstreaming ions (relative velocity vD = D c) in the presence of

warm electrons, kTi /mi , kTi0 /mi0 < vD 2 < kTe /me
1/2
0 0
ZZ ( + ) ne
ii0 = i0 i = 35 ln .
0 D 2 Te
Fokker-Planck Equation

Df f f
+ v f + F v f = ,
Dt t t coll
where F is an external
P force | field. The general form of the collision integral is

(f /t)coll = v J , with

Z
e 2 e 2
J| = 2 d3v 0 (u2 I uu)u3
m
n o
1 1 0
f (v)v0 f (v0 ) f (v )v f (v)
m m
(Landau form) where u = v0 v and I is the unit dyad, or alternatively,
n o
| e 2 e 2 1
J = 4 f (v)v H(v) v f (v)v v G(v) ,
m 2 2
where the Rosenbluth potentials are

Z
0 3 0
G(v) = f (v )ud v
Z
m
H(v) = 1+ f (v0 )u1 d3v 0 .
m
36
If species is a weak beam (number and energy density small compared with
background) streaming through a Maxwellian plasma, then
| m | 1 |
J = s vf k vv v f
m + m 2
1 |
v 2 I vv v f .
4
B-G-K Collision Operator

For distribution functions with no large gradients in velocity space, the
Fokker-Planck collision terms can be approximated according to
Dfe
= ee (Fe fe ) + ei (Fe fe );
Dt
Dfi
= ie (Fi fi ) + ii (Fi fi ).
Dt
The respective slowing-down rates s| given in the Relaxation Rate section

above can be used for , assuming slow ions and fast electrons, with re-
placed by T . (For ee and ii , one can equally well use , and the result
is insensitive to whether the slow- or fast-test-particle limit is employed.) The
Maxwellians F and F are given by
3/2 n h io
m m (v v )2
F = n exp ;
2kT 2kT
3/2 n h io
m m (v v )2
F = n exp ,
2kT 2kT
where n , v and T are the number density, mean drift velocity, and effective
temperature obtained by taking moments of f . Some latitude in the definition
of T and v is possible;20 one choice is Te = Ti , Ti = Te , ve = vi , vi = ve .
Transport Coefficients
Transport equations for a multispecies plasma:
d n
+ n v = 0;
dt
h i
d v 1
m n = p P + Z en E + v B + R ;
dt c
37
3 d kT
n + p v = q P : v + Q .
2 dt
Here dP
/dt /t + v ;Pp = n kT , where k is Boltzmanns constant;
R = R and Q = Q , where R and Q are respectively

the momentum and energy gained by the th species through collisions with
the th; P is the stress tensor; and q is the heat flow.
The transport coefficients in a simple two-component plasma (electrons
and singly charged ions) are tabulated below. Here k and refer to the di-
rection of the magnetic field B = bB; u = ve vi is the relative streaming
velocity; ne = ni n; j = neu is the current; ce = 1.76 107 B sec1 and
ci = (me /mi )ce are the electron and ion gyrofrequencies, respectively; and
the basic collisional times are taken to be

3 me (kTe )3/2 5 Te
3/2
e = = 3.44 10 sec,
4 2 ne4 n
where is the Coulomb logarithm, and

3 mi (kTi )3/2 7 Ti
3/2
1/2
i = 4
= 2.09 10 sec.
4 n e n
In the limit of large fields (c 1, = i, e) the transport processes may

be summarized as follows:21
momentum transfer Rei = Rie R = Ru + RT ;
frictional force Ru = ne(jk /k + j / );
electrical k = 1.96 ; = ne2 e /me ;
conductivities
3n
thermal force RT = 0.71nk (kTe ) b (kTe );
2ce e
3me nk
ion heating Qi = (Te Ti );
mi e
electron heating Qe = Qi R u;
ion heat flux qi = ik k (kTi ) i (kTi ) + i b (kTi );
i nkTi i i 2nkTi i 5nkTi
ion thermal k = 3.9 ; = ; = ;
conductivities mi mi ci2 i 2mi ci
e e
electron heat flux q e = qu + qT ;
e 3nkTe
frictional heat flux qu = 0.71nkTe uk + b u ;
2ce e
38
thermal gradient qeT = ek k (kTe ) e (kTe ) e b (kTe );
heat flux
e nkTe e e nkTe e 5nkTe
electron thermal k = 3.2 ; = 4.7 ; = ;
conductivities me me ce2 e 2me ce
0 1
stress tensor (either Pxx = (Wxx + Wyy ) (Wxx Wyy ) 3 Wxy ;
species) 2 2
0 1
Pyy = (Wxx + Wyy ) + (Wxx Wyy ) + 3 Wxy ;
2 2
3
Pxy = Pyx = 1 Wxy + (Wxx Wyy );
2
Pxz = Pzx = 2 Wxz 4 Wyz ;
Pyz = Pzy = 2 Wyz + 4 Wxz ;
Pzz = 0 Wzz
(here the z axis is defined parallel to B);
3nkTi 6nkTi
ion viscosity 0i = 0.96nkTi i ; 1i = ; 2i = ;
10ci2 i 5ci2 i
i nkTi i nkTi
3 = ; 4 = ;
2ci ci
e e nkTe e nkTe
electron viscosity 0 = 0.73nkTe e ; 1 = 0.51 ; 2 = 2.0 ;
ce2 e ce2 e
nkTe nkTe
3e = ; 4e = .
2ce ce
For both species the rate-of-strain tensor is defined as
vj vk 2
Wjk = + jk v.
xk xj 3
When B = 0 the following simplifications occur:
Ru = nej/k ; RT = 0.71n(kTe ); qi = ik (kTi );
e e e
qu = 0.71nkTe u; qT = k (kTe ); Pjk = 0 Wjk .
For ce e 1 ci i , the electrons obey the high-field expressions and the

ions obey the zero-field expressions.
Collisional transport theory is applicable when (1) macroscopic time rates
of change satisfy d/dt 1/ , where is the longest collisional time scale, and
(in the absence of a magnetic field) (2) macroscopic length scales L satisfy L
l, where l = v is the mean free path. In a strong field, ce 1, condition
(2) is replaced by Lk l and L lre (L re in a uniform field),
39
where Lk is a macroscopic scale parallel to the field B and L is the smaller
of B/| B| and the transverse plasma dimension. In addition, the standard
transport coefficients are valid only when (3) the Coulomb logarithm satisfies
1; (4) the electron gyroradius satisfies re D , or 8ne me c2 B 2 ; (5)
relative drifts u = v v between two species are small compared with the
thermal velocities, i.e., u2 kT /m , kT /m ; and (6) anomalous transport
processes owing to microinstabilities are negligible.
Weakly Ionized Plasmas
Collision frequency for scattering of charged particles of species by
neutrals is
= n0 s|0 (kT /m )1/2 ,
where n0 is the neutral density and s\0 is the cross section, typically
5 1015 cm2 and weakly dependent on temperature.
When the system is small compared with a Debye length, L D , the
charged particle diffusion coefficients are
D = kT /m ,
In the opposite limit, both species diffuse at the ambipolar rate
i De e Di (Ti + Te )Di De
DA = = ,
i e T i De + T e Di
where = e /m is the mobility. The conductivity satisfies =

n e .
In the presence of a magnetic field B the scalars and become tensors,

J = E = k Ek + E + E b,
where b = B/B and
k = n e 2 /m ;
2 2 2
= k /( + c );

= k c /( 2 + c
2
).
Here and are the Pedersen and Hall conductivities, respectively.
40
IONOSPHERIC PARAMETERS23
The following tables give average nighttime values. Where two numbers
are entered, the first refers to the lower and the second to the upper portion
of the layer.
Quantity E Region F Region
Altitude (km) 90160 160500

Number density (m3 ) 1.5 1010 3.0 1010 5 1010 2 1011
Height-integrated number 9 1014 4.5 1015
density (m2 )
Ion-neutral collision 2 103 102 0.50.05
frequency (sec1 )
Ion gyro-/collision 0.092.0 4.6 102 5.0 103
frequency ratio i
Ion Pederson factor 0.090.5 2.2 103 2 104
i /(1 + i 2 )
Ion Hall factor 8 104 0.8 1.0
i 2 /(1 + i 2 )
Electron-neutral collision 1.5 104 9.0 102 8010
frequency
Electron gyro-/collision 4.1 102 6.9 103 7.8 104 6.2 105
frequency ratio e
Electron Pedersen factor 2.7 103 1.5 104 105 1.5 106
e /(1 + e 2 )
Electron Hall factor 1.0 1.0
e 2 /(1 + e 2 )
Mean molecular weight 2826 2216
1
Ion gyrofrequency (sec ) 180190 230300
3
Neutral diffusion 305 10 105
coefficient (m2 sec1 )
The terrestrial magnetic field in the lower ionosphere at equatorial latti-

tudes is approximately B0 = 0.35104 tesla. The earths radius is RE = 6371
km.
41
SOLAR PHYSICS PARAMETERS24
Parameter Symbol Value Units
Total mass M 1.99 1033 g

10
Radius R 6.96 10 cm
Surface gravity g 2.74 10 4
cm s2
Escape speed v 6.18 107 cm s1
Upward mass flux in spicules 1.6 109 g cm2 s1
Vertically integrated atmospheric density 4.28 g cm2
Sunspot magnetic field strength Bmax 25003500 G
Surface effective temperature T0 5770 K
Radiant power L 3.83 10 33
erg s1
Radiant flux density F 6.28 1010 erg cm2 s1
Optical depth at 500 nm, measured 5 0.99
from photosphere
Astronomical unit (radius of earths orbit) AU 1.50 1013 cm
Solar constant (intensity at 1 AU) f 1.36 10 erg cm2 s1
6
Chromosphere and Corona25

Quiet Coronal Active
Parameter (Units) Sun Hole Region
Chromospheric radiation losses

(erg cm2 s1 )
Low chromosphere 2 106 2 106 > 107

Middle chromosphere 2 106 2 106 107
Upper chromosphere 3 105 3 105 2 106
Total 4 106 4 106 > 2 107

Transition layer pressure (dyne cm2 ) 0.2 0.07 2
Coronal temperature (K) at 1.1 R 1.11.6 106 106 2.5 106
Coronal energy losses (erg cm2 s1 )
Conduction 2 105 6 104 105 107
Radiation 105 104 5 106
Solar Wind < 5 104 7 105 < 105

Total 3 105 8 105 107
Solar wind mass loss (g cm2 s1 ) < 2 1011 2 1010 < 4 1011

42
THERMONUCLEAR FUSION26
Natural abundance of isotopes:

hydrogen nD /nH = 1.5 104
helium nHe3 /nHe4 = 1.3 106
lithium nLi6 /nLi7 = 0.08
Mass ratios: me /mD = 2.72 104 = 1/3670
(me /mD ) 1/2
= 1.65 102 = 1/60.6
me /mT = 1.82 104 = 1/5496
(me /mT ) 1/2
= 1.35 102 = 1/74.1
Absorbed radiation dose is measured in rads: 1 rad = 102 erg g1 . The curie
(abbreviated Ci) is a measure of radioactivity: 1 curie = 3.71010 counts sec1 .
Fusion reactions (branching ratios are correct for energies near the cross section
peaks; a negative yield means the reaction is endothermic):27
(1a) D + D T(1.01 MeV) + p(3.02 MeV)
50%
(1b) He3 (0.82 MeV) + n(2.45 MeV)
50%
(2) D + T He4 (3.5 MeV) + n(14.1 MeV)
(3) D + He3 He4 (3.6 MeV) + p(14.7 MeV)
(4) T+T He4 + 2n + 11.3 MeV
(5a) He3 + THe4 + p + n + 12.1 MeV
51%
(5b) He4 (4.8 MeV) + D(9.5 MeV)
43%
(5c) He5 (2.4 MeV) + p(11.9 MeV)
6%
(6) 6
p + Li He4 (1.7 MeV) + He3 (2.3 MeV)
(7a) p + Li7 2 He4 + 17.3 MeV
20%
(7b) Be7 + n 1.6 MeV
80%
(8) D + Li6 2He4 + 22.4 MeV
(9) p + B11 3 He4 + 8.7 MeV
(10) n + Li6 He4 (2.1 MeV) + T(2.7 MeV)
The total cross section in barns (1 barn = 1024 cm2 ) as a function of E, the
energy in keV of the incident particle [the first ion on the left side of Eqs.
(1)(5)], assuming the target ion at rest, can be fitted by28
1
A5 + (A4 A3 E)2 + 1 A2
T (E) =
E exp(A1 E 1/2 ) 1
43
where the Duane coefficients Aj for the principle fusion reactions are as follows:
DD DD DT DHe3 TT THe3
(1a) (1b) (2) (3) (4) (5ac)
A1 46.097 47.88 45.95 89.27 38.39 123.1

A2 372 482 50200 25900 448 11250
4 4 2 3 3
A3 4.36 10 3.08 10 1.368 10 3.98 10 1.02 10 0
A4 1.220 1.177 1.076 1.297 2.09 0
A5 0 0 409 647 0 0
Reaction rates v (in cm3 sec1 ), averaged over Maxwellian distributions:
Temperature DD DT DHe3 TT THe3

(keV) (1a + 1b) (2) (3) (4) (5ac)
1.0 1.5 1022 5.5 1021 1026 3.3 1022 1028

2.0 5.4 1021 2.6 1019 1.4 1023 7.1 1021 1025
5.0 1.8 1019 1.3 1017 6.7 1021 1.4 1019 2.1 1022
10.0 1.2 1018 1.1 1016 2.3 1019 7.2 1019 1.2 1020
20.0 5.2 1018 4.2 1016 3.8 1018 2.5 1018 2.6 1019
50.0 2.1 1017 8.7 1016 5.4 1017 8.7 1018 5.3 1018
100.0 4.5 1017 8.5 1016 1.6 1016 1.9 1017 2.7 1017
200.0 8.8 1017 6.3 1016 2.4 1016 4.2 1017 9.2 1017
500.0 1.8 1016 3.7 1016 2.3 1016 8.4 1017 2.9 1016
1000.0 2.2 1016 2.7 1016 1.8 1016 8.0 1017 5.2 1016
For low energies (T <

25 keV) the data may be represented by
14 2/3 1/3 3 1
(v)DD = 2.33 10 T exp(18.76T ) cm sec ;
(v)DT = 3.68 1012 T 2/3 exp(19.94T 1/3 ) cm3 sec1 ,
where T is measured in keV.
The power density released in the form of charged particles is

PDD = 3.3 1013 nD 2 (v)DD watt cm3 (including the subsequent
DT reaction);
13 3
PDT = 5.6 10 nD nT (v)DT watt cm ;
PDHe3 = 2.9 1012 nD nHe3 (v)DHe3 watt cm3 .
44
RELATIVISTIC ELECTRON BEAMS
Here = (1 2 )1/2 is the relativistic scaling factor; quantities in
analytic formulas are expressed in SI or cgs units, as indicated; in numerical
formulas, I is in amperes (A), B is in gauss (G), electron linear density N is
in cm1 , and temperature, voltage and energy are in MeV; z = vz /c; k is
Boltzmanns constant.
Relativistic electron gyroradius:
mc2 2 1/2 3 2 1/2 1

re = ( 1) (cgs) = 1.70 10 ( 1) B cm.
eB
Relativistic electron energy:
W = mc2 = 0.511 MeV.
Bennett pinch condition:
I 2 = 2N k(Te + Ti )c2 (cgs) = 3.20 104 N (Te + Ti ) A2 .
Alfven-Lawson limit:
3 4
IA = (mc /e)z (cgs) = (4mc/0 e)z (SI) = 1.70 10 z A.
The ratio of net current to IA is
I
= .
IA
Here = N re is the Budker number, where re = e2 /mc2 = 2.82 1013 cm

is the classical electron radius. Beam electron number density is
8 1 3
nb = 2.08 10 J cm ,
where J is the current density in A cm2 . For a uniform beam of radius a (in
cm),
7 2 1 3
nb = 6.63 10 Ia cm ,
and
2re
= .
a
45
Childs law: (non-relativistic) space-charge-limited current density between
parallel plates with voltage drop V (in MV) and separation d (in cm) is
J = 2.34 103 V 3/2 d2 A cm2 .
The saturated parapotential current (magnetically self-limited flow along equi-

potentials in pinched diodes and transmission lines) is29
3
2 1/2

Ip = 8.5 10 G ln + ( 1) A,
where G is a geometrical factor depending on the diode structure:

w for parallel plane cathode and anode
G=
of width w, separation d;
2d
R2 1
G = ln for cylinders of radii R1 (inner) and R2 (outer);
R1
Rc for conical cathode of radius Rc , maximum
G=
d0 separation d0 (at r = Rc ) from plane anode.
For 0 ( 1), both IA and Ip vanish.
The condition for a longitudinal magnetic field Bz to suppress filamentation

in a beam of current density J (in A cm2 ) is
Bz > 47z (J)1/2 G.
Voltage registered by Rogowski coil of minor cross-sectional area A, n turns,

major radius a, inductance L, external resistance R and capacitance C (all in
SI):
externally integrated V = (1/RC)(nA0 I/2a);

self-integrating V = (R/L)(nA0 I/2a) = RI/n.
X-ray production, target with average atomic number Z (V <

5 MeV):
x-ray power/beam power = 7 104 ZV.
X-ray dose at 1 meter generated by an e-beam depositing total charge Q

coulombs while V 0.84Vmax in material with charge state Z:
2.8 1/2
D = 150Vmax QZ rads.
46
BEAM INSTABILITIES30
Name Conditions Saturation Mechanism
Electron- Vd > Vej , j = 1, 2 Electron trapping until

electron Vej Vd
Buneman Vd > (M/m)1/3 Vi , Electron trapping until

Vd > Ve Ve Vd
Beam-plasma Vb > (np /nb )1/3 Vb Trapping of beam electrons
Weak beam- Vb < (np /nb )1/3 Vb Quasilinear or nonlinear

plasma (mode coupling)
Beam-plasma Ve > Vb > Vb Quasilinear or nonlinear

(hot-electron)
Ion acoustic T e Ti , V d C s Quasilinear, ion tail form-

ation, nonlinear scattering,
or resonance broadening.
Anisotropic Te > 2Tek Isotropization

temperature
(hydro)
Ion cyclotron Vd > 20Vi (for Ion heating

Te T i )
Beam-cyclotron V d > Cs Resonance broadening

(hydro)
Modified two- Vd < (1 + )1/2 VA , Trapping

stream (hydro) V d > Cs
Ion-ion (equal U < 2(1 + )1/2 VA Ion trapping

beams)
Ion-ion (equal U < 2Cs Ion trapping

beams)
For nomenclature, see p. 50.
47
Parameters of Most Unstable Mode
Name Wave Group
Growth Rate Frequency Number Velocity
1 e
Electron- e 0 0.9 0
electron 2 Vd
1/3 1/3
m m e 2
Buneman 0.7 e 0.4 e Vd
M M Vd 3
1/3
nb e 2
Beam-plasma 0.7 e e Vb
np Vb 3
1/3
nb
0.4 e
np
2
nb Vb e 3Ve2
Weak beam- e e
plasma 2np Vb Vb Vb
1/2
nb Ve Vb
Beam-plasma e e 1
D
Vb
np Vb Ve
(hot-electron)
1/2
m
Ion acoustic i i 1
D
Cs
M
Anisotropic e e cos e re1 Ve
temperature
(hydro)
1
Ion cyclotron 0.1i 1.2i ri1 Vi
3
Beam-cyclotron 0.7e ne 0.71
D
> Vd ;

(hydro) < Cs

1 H 1
Modified two- H 0.9H 1.7 Vd
stream 2 Vd 2
(hydro)
H
Ion-ion (equal 0.4H 0 1.2 0
beams) U
i
Ion-ion (equal 0.4i 0 1.2 0
beams) U
For nomenclature, see p. 50.
48
In the preceding tables, subscripts e, i, d, b, p stand for electron, ion,
drift, beam, and plasma, respectively. Thermal velocities are denoted
by a bar. In addition, the following are used:
m electron mass r e , ri gyroradius
M ion mass plasma/magnetic energy
V velocity density ratio
T temperature VA Alfven speed
ne , n i number density e , i gyrofrequency
n harmonic number H hybrid gyrofrequency,
Cs = (Te /M )1/2 ion sound speed H 2 = e i
e , i plasma frequency U relative drift velocity of
D Debye length two ion species
APPROXIMATE MAGNITUDES
IN SOME TYPICAL PLASMAS
Plasma Type n cm3 T eV pe sec1 D cm nD 3 ei sec1
Interstellar gas 1 1 6 104 7 102 4 108 7 105

Gaseous nebula 103 1 2 106 20 8 106 6 102
Solar Corona 109 102 2 109 2 101 8 106 60
Diffuse hot plasma 1012 102 6 1010 7 103 4 105 40
14 11 5
Solar atmosphere, 10 1 6 10 7 10 40 2 109
gas discharge
Warm plasma 1014 10 6 1011 2 104 8 102 107
Hot plasma 1014 102 6 1011 7 104 4 104 4 106
Thermonuclear 1015 104 2 1012 2 103 8 106 5 104
plasma
Theta pinch 1016 102 6 1012 7 105 4 103 3 108
Dense hot plasma 1018 102 6 1013 7 106 4 102 2 1010
Laser Plasma 1020 102 6 1014 7 107 40 2 1012
The diagram (facing) gives comparable information in graphical form.22
49
50
LASERS
System Parameters
Efficiencies and power levels are approximate.31
Wavelength Power levels available (W)
Type Efficiency
(m) Pulsed CW
CO2 10.6 0.010.02 > 2 1013 > 105
(pulsed)
CO 5 0.4 > 109 > 100
Holmium 2.06 0.030.1 > 107 80
Iodine 1.315 0.003 3 1012
Nd-glass 1.06 1.25 1015
Nd:YAG 1.064 109 > 104
Nd:YLF 1.045, 4 108 80
1.54,1.313
Nd:YVO4 1.064 > 20
Er:YAG 2.94 1.5 105
*Color center 14 103 5 108 1
*Ti:Sapphire 0.71.5 0.4 p 1014 150
Ruby 0.6943 < 103 1010 1
He-Ne 0.6328 104 150103
*Argon ion 0.450.60 103 5 104 150
*OPO 0.310 > 0.1 p 1010 5
N2 0.3371 0.0010.05 106
*Dye 0.31.1 103 5 107 > 100
Kr-F 0.26 0.08 1012 500
Xenon 0.175 0.02 > 108
Ytterbium fiber 1.051.1 0.55 5 107 104
Erbium fiber 1.534 7 106 100
Semiconductor 0.3751.9 > 0.5 3 109 > 103
*Tunable sources lamp-driven diode-driven
Nd stands for Neodymium; Er stands for Erbium; Ti stands for Titanium;
YAG stands for YttriumAluminum Garnet; YLF stands for Yttrium Lithium
Fluoride; YVO5 stands for Yttrium Vanadate; OPO for Optical Parametric
Oscillator; p is pump laser efficiency.
51
Formulas
An e-m wave with k k B has an index of refraction given by
2 1/2
n = [1 pe /( ce )] ,
where refers to the helicity. The rate of change of polarization angle as a

function of displacement s (Faraday rotation) is given by
4 2 1
d/ds = (k/2)(n n+ ) = 2.36 10 N Bf cm ,
where N is the electron number density, B is the field strength, and f is the
wave frequency, all in cgs.
The quiver velocity of an electron in an e-m field of angular frequency
is
v0 = eEmax /m = 25.6I 1/2 0 cm sec1
2
in terms of the laser flux I = cEmax /8, with I in watt/cm2 , laser wavelength
0 in m. The ratio of quiver energy to thermal energy is
Wqu /Wth = me v0 2 /2kT = 1.81 1013 0 2 I/T,
where T is given in eV. For example, if I = 1015 W cm2 , 0 = 1 m, T =

2 keV, then Wqu /Wth 0.1.
Pondermotive force:
2
F = N hE i/8Nc ,
where
Nc = 1.1 1021 0 2 cm3 .
For uniform illumination of a lens with f -number F , the diameter d at
focus (85% of the energy) and the depth of focus l (distance to first zero in
intensity) are given by
2
d 2.44F /DL and l 2F /DL .
Here is the beam divergence containing 85% of energy and DL is the

diffraction-limited divergence:
DL = 2.44/b,
where b is the aperture. These formulas are modified for nonuniform (such as
Gaussian) illumination of the lens or for pathological laser profiles.
52
ATOMIC PHYSICS AND RADIATION
Energies and temperatures are in eV; all other units are cgs except where
noted. Z is the charge state (Z = 0 refers to a neutral atom); the subscript e
labels electrons. N refers to number density, n to principal quantum number.
Asterisk superscripts on level population densities denote local thermodynamic
equilibrium (LTE) values. Thus Nn * is the LTE number density of atoms (or
ions) in level n.
Characteristic atomic collision cross section:
(1) a0 2 = 8.80 1017 cm2 .
Binding energy of outer electron in level labelled by quantum numbers n, l:
Z Z 2 E
H
(2) E (n, l) = ,
(n l )2
where E H
= 13.6 eV is the hydrogen ionization energy and l = 0.75l5 ,
l >
5, is the quantum defect.
Excitation and Decay

Cross section (Bethe approximation) for electron excitation by dipole
allowed transition m n (Refs. 32, 33):
fmn g(n, m)
(3) mn = 2.36 1013 cm2 ,
Enm
where fmn is the oscillator strength, g(n, m) is the Gaunt factor, is the
incident electron energy, and Enm = En Em .
Electron excitation rate averaged over Maxwellian velocity distribution, X mn
= Ne hmn vi (Refs. 34, 35):

5 fmn hg(n, m)iNe Enm 1
(4) Xmn = 1.6 10 1/2
exp sec ,
Enm Te Te
where hg(n, m)i denotes the thermal averaged Gaunt factor (generally 1 for
atoms, 0.2 for ions).
53
Rate for electron collisional deexcitation:
(5) Ynm = (Nm */Nn *)Xmn .
Here Nm */Nn * = (gm /gn ) exp(Enm /Te ) is the Boltzmann relation for level
population densities, where gn is the statistical weight of level n.
Rate for spontaneous decay n m (Einstein A coefficient)34
7 2 1
(6) Anm = 4.3 10 (gm /gn )fmn (Enm ) sec .
Intensity emitted per unit volume from the transition n m in an optically

thin plasma:
(7) Inm = 1.6 1019 Anm Nn Enm watt/cm3 .
Condition for steady state in a corona model:
(8) N0 Ne h0n vi = Nn An0 ,
where the ground state is labelled by a zero subscript.

Hence for a transition n m in ions, where hg(n, 0)i 0.2,
3
25 fnm gm Ne N0 Enm En0 watt
(9) Inm = 5.1 10 exp .
1/2
g 0 Te En0 Te cm3
Ionization and Recombination

In a general time-dependent situation the number density of the charge
state Z satisfies
h
dN (Z)
(10) = Ne S(Z)N (Z) (Z)N (Z)
dt
i
+S(Z 1)N (Z 1) + (Z + 1)N (Z + 1) .
Here S(oZ) is the ionization rate. The recombination rate (Z) has the form
(Z) = r (Z) + Ne 3 (Z), where r and 3 are the radiative and three-body
recombination rates, respectively.
54
Classical ionization cross-section36 for any atomic shell j
(11) i = 6 1014 bj gj (x)/Uj 2 cm2 .
Here bj is the number of shell electrons; Uj is the binding energy of the ejected
electron; x = /Uj , where is the incident electron energy; and g is a universal
function with a minimum value gmin 0.2 at x 4.
Ionization from ion ground state, averaged over Maxwellian electron distribu-
tion, for 0.02 < Z <
Te /E 100 (Ref. 35):
Z 1/2
5 (Te /E ) EZ
(12) S(Z) = 10 Z )3/2 (6.0 Z )
exp cm3 /sec,
(E + Te /E Te
Z
where E is the ionization energy.
Electron-ion radiative recombination rate (e + N (Z) N (Z 1) + h)
for Te /Z 2 <
400 eV (Ref. 37):
Z 1/2 h
14 E 1 Z
(13) r (Z) = 5.2 10 Z 0.43 + ln(E /Te )
Te 2
i
Z
+0.469(E /Te )1/3 cm3 /sec.
For 1 eV < Te /Z 2 < 15 eV, this becomes approximately35
13 2 1/2 3
(14) r (Z) = 2.7 10 Z Te cm /sec.
Collisional (three-body) recombination rate for singly ionized plasma:38
27 4.5 6
(15) 3 = 8.75 10 Te cm /sec.
Photoionization cross section for ions in level n, l (short-wavelength limit):
16 5 3 7+2l 2
(16) ph (n, l) = 1.64 10 Z /n K cm ,
where K is the wavenumber in Rydbergs (1 Rydberg = 1.0974 105 cm1 ).
55
Ionization Equilibrium Models
Saha equilibrium:39
Z 3/2
Ne N1 *(Z) 21 g1 Te E Z (n, l) 3
(17) = 6.0 10 Z1
exp cm ,
Nn *(Z 1) gn Te
Z Z
where gn is the statistical weight for level n of charge state Z and E (n, l)
is the ionization energy of the neutral atom initially in level (n, l), given by
Eq. (2).
In a steady state at high electron density,
Ne N *(Z) S(Z 1)
(18) = ,
N *(Z 1) 3
a function only of T .
Conditions for LTE:39
(a) Collisional and radiative excitation rates for a level n must satisfy
(19) Ynm >

10Anm .
(b) Electron density must satisfy
18 7 17/2
(20) Ne >
7 10 Z n
Z 1/2
(T /E ) cm3 .
Steady state condition in corona model:
N (Z 1) r
(21) = .
N (Z) S(Z 1)
Corona model is applicable if40
(22) 1012 tI 1 < Ne < 1016 Te 7/2 cm3 ,
where tI is the ionization time.
56
Radiation
N. B. Energies and temperatures are in eV; all other quantities are in
cgs units except where noted. Z is the charge state (Z = 0 refers to a neutral
atom); the subscript e labels electrons. N is number density.
Average radiative decay rate of a state with principal quantum number n is
X
(23) An = Anm = 1.6 1010 Z 4 n9/2 sec.
m<n
Natural linewidth (E in eV):
15
(24) E t = h = 4.14 10 eV sec,
where t is the lifetime of the line.

Doppler width:
(25) / = 7.7 105 (T /)1/2 ,
where is the mass of the emitting atom or ion scaled by the proton mass.
Optical depth for a Doppler-broadened line:39
13 2 1/2 9 1/2
(26) = 3.5210 fnm (M c /kT ) N L = 5.410 fmn (/T ) N L,
where fnm is the absorption oscillator strength, is the wavelength, and L is

the physical depth of the plasma; M , N , and T are the mass, number density,
and temperature of the absorber; is M divided by the proton mass. Optically
thin means < 1.
Resonance absorption cross section at center of line:
(27) =c = 5.6 1013 2 / cm2 .
Wien displacement law (wavelength of maximum black-body emission):
(28) max = 2.50 105 T 1 cm.
Radiation from the surface of a black body at temperature T :
(29) W = 1.03 105 T 4 watt/cm2 .
57
Bremsstrahlung from hydrogen-like plasma:26
X
32 1/2 2 3
(30) PBr = 1.69 10 Ne Te Z N (Z) watt/cm ,
where the sum is over all ionization states Z.

Bremsstrahlung optical depth:41
38 2 7/2
(31) = 5.0 10 Ne Ni Z gLT ,
where g 1.2 is an average Gaunt factor and L is the physical path length.
Inverse bremsstrahlung absorption coefficient42 for radiation of angular fre-
quency :
(32) = 3.1 107 Zne 2 ln T 3/2 2 (1 p2 / 2 )1/2 cm1 ;
here is the electron thermal velocity divided by V , where V is the larger of

and p multiplied by the larger of Ze2 /kT and h/(mkT )1/2 .
Recombination (free-bound) radiation:
Xh Z1
E
i
32 1/2 2 3
(33) Pr = 1.69 10 Ne Te Z N (Z) watt/cm .
Te
Cyclotron radiation26 in magnetic field B:

28 2 3
(34) Pc = 6.21 10 B Ne Te watt/cm .
For Ne kTe = Ni kTi = B 2 /16 ( = 1, isothermal plasma),26

38 2 2 3
(35) Pc = 5.00 10 Ne Te watt/cm .
Cyclotron radiation energy loss e-folding time for a single electron:41
9.0 108 B 2
(36) tc sec,
2.5 +
where is the kinetic plus rest energy divided by the rest energy mc2 .
Number of cyclotron harmonics41 trapped in a medium of finite depth L:
1/6
(37) mtr = (57BL) ,
where = 8N kT /B 2 .
Line radiation is given by summing Eq. (9) over all species in the plasma.
58
ATOMIC SPECTROSCOPY
Spectroscopic notation combines observational and theoretical elements.

Observationally, spectral lines are grouped in series with line spacings which
decrease toward the series limit. Every line can be related theoretically to a
transition between two atomic states, each identified by its quantum numbers.
Ionization levels are indicated by roman numerals. Thus C I is unionized
carbon, C II is singly ionized, etc. The state of a one-electron atom (hydrogen)
or ion (He II, Li III, etc.) is specified by identifying the principal quantum
number n = 1, 2, . . . , the orbital angular momentum l = 0, 1, . . . , n 1, and
the spin angular momentum s = 12 . The total angular momentum j is the
magnitude of the vector sum of l and s, j = l 12 (j 12 ). The letters s,
p, d, f, g, h, i, k, l, . . . , respectively, are associated with angular momenta
l = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, . . . . The atomic states of hydrogen and hydrogenic
ions are degenerate: neglecting fine structure, their energies depend only on n
according to
R hcZ 2 n2 RyZ 2
En = = ,
1 + m/M n2
where h is Plancks constant, c is the velocity of light, m is the electron mass,

M and Z are the mass and charge state of the nucleus, and
1
R = 109, 737 cm
is the Rydberg constant. If En is divided by hc, the result is in wavenumber

units. The energy associated with a transition m n is given by
Emn = Ry(1/m2 1/n2 ),
with m < n (m > n) for absorption (emission) lines.

For hydrogen and hydrogenic ions the series of lines belonging to the
transitions m n have conventional names:
Transition 1n 2n 3n 4n 5n 6n
Name Lyman Balmer Paschen Brackett Pfund Humphreys
Successive lines in any series are denoted , , , etc. Thus the transition 1
3 gives rise to the Lyman- line. Relativistic effects, quantum electrodynamic
effects (e.g., the Lamb shift), and interactions between the nuclear magnetic
59
moment and the magnetic field due to the electron produce small shifts and
splittings, <
10
2
cm1 ; these last are called hyperfine structure.
In many-electron atoms the electrons are grouped in closed and open
shells, with spectroscopic properties determined mainly by the outer shell.
Shell energies depend primarily on n; the shells corresponding to n = 1, 2,
3, . . . are called K, L, M , etc. A shell is made up of subshells of different
angular momenta, each labeled according to the values of n, l, and the number
of electrons it contains out of the maximum possible number, 2(2l + 1). For
example, 2p5 indicates that there are 5 electrons in the subshell corresponding
to l = 1 (denoted by p) and n = 2.
In the lighter elements the electrons fill up subshells within each shell
in the order s, p, d, etc., and no shell acquires electrons until the lower shells
are full. In the heavier elements this rule does not always hold. But if a
particular subshell is filled in a noble gas, then the same subshell is filled in
the atoms of all elements that come later in the periodic table. The ground
state configurations of the noble gases are as follows:
He 1s2
Ne 1s2 2s2 2p6
Ar 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6
Kr 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6
Xe 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 5s2 5p6
Rn 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f 14 5s2 5p6 5d10 6s2 6p6
Alkali metals (Li, Na, K, etc.) resemble hydrogen; their transitions are de-
scribed by giving n and l in the initial and final states for the single outer
(valence) electron.
For general transitions in most atoms the atomic states are specified in
terms of the parity (1)li and the magnitudes of the orbital angular momen-
tum L = li , the spin S = si , and the total angular momentum J = L + S,
where all sums are carried out over the unfilled subshells (the filled ones sum
to zero). If a magnetic field is present the projections ML , MS , and M of
L, S, and J along the field are also needed. The quantum numbers satisfy
|ML | L l, |MS | S /2, and |M | J L + S, where is the
number of electrons in the unfilled subshell. Upper-case letters S, P, D, etc.,
stand for L = 0, 1, 2, etc., in analogy with the notation for a single electron.
For example, the ground state of Cl is described by 3p5 2 Po3/2 . The first part
indicates that there are 5 electrons in the subshell corresponding to n = 3 and
l = 1. (The closed inner subshells 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 , identical with the configura-
tion of Mg, are usually omitted.) The symbol P indicates that the angular
momenta of the outer electrons combine to give L = 1. The prefix 2 repre-
sents the value of the multiplicity 2S + 1 (the number of states with nearly the
same energy), which is equivalent to specifying S = 12 . The subscript 3/2 is
60
the value of J. The superscript o indicates that the state has odd parity; it
would be omitted if the state were even.
The notation for excited states is similar. For example, helium has a state
1s2s S1 which lies 19.72 eV (159, 856 cm1 ) above the ground state 1s2 1 S0 .
3
But the two terms do not combine (transitions between them do not occur)
because this would violate, e.g., the quantum-mechanical selection rule that
the parity must change from odd to even or from even to odd. For electric
dipole transitions (the only ones possible in the long-wavelength limit), other
selection rules are that the value of l of only one electron can change, and only
by l = 1; S = 0; L = 1 or 0; and J = 1 or 0 (but L = 0 does not
combine with L = 0 and J = 0 does not combine with J = 0). Transitions
are possible between the helium ground state (which has S = 0, L = 0, J = 0,
and even parity) and, e.g., the state 1s2p 1 Po1 (with S = 0, L = 1, J = 1,
odd parity, excitation energy 21.22 eV). These rules hold accurately only for
light atoms in the absence of strong electric or magnetic fields. Transitions
that obey the selection rules are called allowed; those that do not are called
forbidden.
The amount of information needed to adequately characterize a state in-
creases with the number of electrons; this is reflected in the notation. Thus43
O II has an allowed transition between the states 2p2 3p0
2 o 2 1 0 2
F7/2 and 2p ( D)3d F7/2 (and between the states obtained by changing
J from 7/2 to 5/2 in either or both terms). Here both states have two elec-
trons with n = 2 and l = 1; the closed subshells 1s2 2s2 are not shown. The
outer (n = 3) electron has l = 1 in the first state and l = 2 in the second.
The prime indicates that if the outermost electron were removed by ionization,
the resulting ion would not be in its lowest energy state. The expression (1 D)
give the multiplicity and total angular momentum of the parent term, i.e.,
the subshell immediately below the valence subshell; this is understood to be
the same in both states. (Grandparents, etc., sometimes have to be specified
in heavier atoms and ions.) Another example43 is the allowed transition from
2p2 (3 P)3p 2 Po1/2 (or 2 Po3/2 ) to 2p2 (1 D)3d0 2 S1/2 , in which there is a spin
flip (from antiparallel to parallel) in the n = 2, l = 1 subshell, as well as
changes from one state to the other in the value of l for the valence electron
and in L.
The description of fine structure, Stark and Zeeman effects, spectra of
highly ionized or heavy atoms, etc., is more complicated. The most important
difference between optical and X-ray spectra is that the latter involve energy
changes of the inner electrons rather than the outer ones; often several electrons
participate.
61
COMPLEX (DUSTY) PLASMAS
Complex (dusty) plasmas (CDPs) may be regarded as a new and unusual

state of matter. CDPs contain charged microparticles (dust grains) in addition
to electrons, ions, and neutral gas. Electrostatic coupling between the grains
can vary over a wide range, so that the states of CDPs can change from weakly
coupled (gaseous) to crystalline. CDPs can be investigated at the kinetic level
(individual particles are easily visualized and relevant time scales are accessi-
ble). CDPs are of interest as a non-Hamiltonian system of interacting particles
and as a means to study generic fundamental physics of self-organization, pat-
tern formation, phase transitions, and scaling. Their discovery has therefore
opened new ways of precision investigations in many-particle physics.
Typical experimental dust properties

grain size (radius) a ' 0.3 30 m, mass md 3 107 3 1013 g, number
density (in terms of the interparticle distance) nd 3 103 107 cm3 ,
temperature Td 3 102 102 eV.
Typical discharge (bulk) plasmas
gas pressure p 102 1 Torr, Ti ' Tn ' 3 102 eV, vTi ' 7 104 cm/s
(Ar), Te 0.3 3 eV, ni ' ne 108 1010 cm3 , screening length D '
Di 20 200 m, pi ' 2 106 2 107 s1 (Ar). B fields up to B 3 T.
Dimensionless
Havnes parameter P = |Z|nd /ne
normalized charge z = |Z|e2 /kTe a
dust-dust scattering parameter d = Z 2 e2 /kTd D
dust-plasma scattering parameter e,i = |Z|e2 /kTe,i D
coupling parameter = (Z 2 e2 /kTd ) exp(/D )
lattice parameter = /D
particle parameter = a/
lattice magnetization parameter = /rd
Typical experimental values: P 104 102 ,z ' 24 (Z 103 105 electron

charges), < 103 , 0.3 10, 104 3 102 , < 1
Frequencies
dust plasma frequency pd = (4Z 2 e2 nd /md )1/2
P
' (|Z| 1+P mi /md )1/2 pi
1+z
charge fluctuation frequency ch ' (a/D )pi
2
62
dust-gas friction rate nd 10a2 p/md vTn
dust gyrofrequency cd = ZeB/md c
Velocities
T mi 1/2
dust thermal velocity vTd = (kTd /md )1/2 [ Td ] v Ti
i md
dust acoustic wave velocity CDA = pd D
P
' (|Z| 1+P mi /md )1/2 vTi
dust Alfven wave velocity vAd = B/(4nd md )1/2
dust-acoustic Mach number V /CDA
dust magnetic Mach number V /vAd
l,t
dust lattice (acoustic) wave velocity CDL = pd D Fl,t ()
The range of the dust-lattice wavenumbers is K < The functions Fl,t ()

for longitudinal and transverse waves can be approximated44,45 with accuracy
< 1% in the range 5:
Fl ' 2.701/2 (1 0.096 0.0042 ), Ft ' 0.51(1 0.0392 ),
Lengths
frictional dissipation length L = vTd /nd
dust Coulomb radius RCe,i = |Z|e2 /kTe,i
dust gyroradius rd = vTd /cd
Grain Charging
The charge evolution equation is d|Z|/dt = Ii Ie . From orbital motion
limited (OML) theory46 in the collisionless limit len(in) D a:

2 Te
Ie = 8a ne vTe exp(z), Ii = 8a2 ni vTi 1+ z .
Ti
Grains are charged negatively. The grain charge can vary in response to spatial
and temporal variations of the plasma. Charge fluctuations are always present,
with frequency ch . Other charging mechanisms are photoemission, secondary
emission, thermionic emission, field emission, etc. Charged dust grains change
the plasma composition, keeping quasineutrality. A measure of this is the
Havnes parameter P = |Z|nd /ne . The balance of Ie and Ii yields
1/2
m i Ti Te
exp(z) = 1+ z [1 + P (z)]
m e Te Ti
63
When the relative charge density of dust is large, P 1, the grain charge Z
monotonically decreases.
Forces and momentum transfer
In addition to the usual electromagnetic forces, grains in complex plasmas are

also subject to: gravity force Fg = md g; thermophoretic force

4 2 2
Fth = (a /vTn )n Tn
15
(where n is the coefficient of gas thermal conductivity); forces associated
with the momentum transfer from other species, F = md d Vd , i.e.,
neutral, ion, and electron drag. For collisions between charged particles, two
limiting cases are distinguished by the magnitude of the scattering parameter
. When 1 the result is independent of the sign of the potential. When
1, the results for repulsive and attractive interaction potentials are
different. For typical complex plasmas the hierarchy of scattering parameters
is e ( 0.01 0.3) i ( 1 30) d ( 103 3 104 ). The generic
expressions for different types of collisions are47
2
d = (4 2/3)(m /md )a n vT d
Electron-dust collisions
1 2
ed ' z ed e 1
2
Ion-dust collisions
n1 2
2z (Te /Ti )2 id i < 5
id =
2(D /a)2 (ln2 i + 2 ln i + 2), i > 13
Dust-dust collisons
n
zd2 dd d 1
dd =
(D /a)2 [ln 4d ln ln 4d ], d 1
where zd Z 2 e2 /akTd .
For dd nd the complex plasma is in a two-phase state, and for nd dd

we have merely tracer particles (dust-neutral gas interaction dominates). The
momentum transfer cross section is proportional to the Coulomb logarithm
d when the Coulomb scattering theory is applicable. It is determined by
integration over the impact parameters, from min to max . min is due to finite
grain size and is given by OML theory. max = D for repulsive interaction
(applicable for 1), and max = D (1 + 2 )1/2 for attractive interaction
(applicable up to < 5).
64
For repulsive interaction (electron-dust and dust-dust)
Z Z
z x
d = z e ln[1 + 4(D /a ) x ]dx 2z 2 2
ez x ln(2x 1)dx,
0 1
where ze = z, ae = a, and ad = 2a.
For ion-dust (attraction)

Z h i
zx 1 + 2(Ti /Te )(D /a)x
id ' z e ln dx.
1 + 2(Ti /Te )x
0
For dd nd the complex plasma behaves like a one phase system (dust-dust
interaction dominates).
Phase Diagram of Complex Plasmas
The figure below represents different phase states of CDPs as functions of

the electrostatic coupling parameter and or , respectively. The verti-
cal dashed line at = 1 conditionally divides the system into Coulomb and
Yukawa parts. With respect to the usual plasma phase, in the diagram be-
low the complex plasmas are located mostly in the strong coupling regime
(equivalent to the top left corner).
Regions I (V) represent Coulomb (Yukawa) crystals, the crystallization condi-
tion is48 > 106(1 + + 2 /2)1 . Regions II (VI) are for Coulomb (Yukawa)
non-ideal plasmas the characteristic range of dust-dust interaction (in terms
of the momentum transfer) is larger than the intergrain distance (in terms of
the Wigner-Seitz radius), (/)1/2 > (4/3)1/3 , which implies that the
interaction is essentially multiparticle.
Regions III (VII and VIII) correspond to

Coulomb (Yukawa) ideal gases. The range
of dust-dust interaction is smaller than the
intergrain distance and only pair collisions
are important. In addition, in the region
VIII the pair Yukawa interaction asymp-
totically reduces to the hard sphere limit,
forming a Yukawa granular medium. In
region IV the electrostatic interaction is
unimportant and the system is like a uaual
granular medium.
65
REFERENCES
When any of the formulas and data in this collection are referenced
in research publications, it is suggested that the original source be cited rather
than the Formulary. Most of this material is well known and, for all practical
purposes, is in the public domain. Numerous colleagues and readers, too
numerous to list by name, have helped in collecting and shaping the Formulary
into its present form; they are sincerely thanked for their efforts.
Several book-length compilations of data relevant to plasma physics
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68
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69
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48. V. E. Fortov et al., Dusty plasmas, Phys. Usp. 47, 447 (2004).
70

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2004

NRL PLASMA FORMULARY

Beam Physics Branch

Plasma Physics Division

Naval Research Laboratory

Numerical and Algebraic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Gain in decibels of P2 relative to P1

G = 10 log 10 (P2 /P1 ).

To within two percent

Euler-Mascheroni constant1 = 0.57722

Gamma Function (x + 1) = x(x):

(1/6) = 5.5663 (3/5) = 1.4892

Binomial Theorem (good for | x |< 1 or = positive integer):

Rothe-Hagen identity2 (good for all complex x, y, z except when singular):

Newbergers summation formula3 [good for nonintegral, Re ( + ) > 1]:

Notation: f, g, are scalars; A, B, etc., are vectors; T is a tensor; I is the unit

If e1 , e2 , e3 are orthonormal unit vectors, a second-order tensor T can be

In cartesian coordinates the divergence of a tensor is a vector with components

[This definition is required for consistency with Eq. (29)]. In general

(24) (1/r) = r/r 3

(25) (r/r 3 ) = 4(r)

If S is an open surface bounded by the contour C, of which the line element is

Mass m, M m m kilogram 103 gram (g)

Physical Name Symbol Physical Name Symbol

Multiple Prefix Symbol Multiple Prefix Symbol

101 deci d 10 deca da

Physical Quantity Symbol Value Units

Boltzmann constant k 1.3807 1023 J K1

Wavelength associated 0 = hc/e 1.2398 106 m

Physical Quantity Symbol Value Units

Boltzmann constant k 1.3807 1016 erg/deg (K)

Frequency associated 0 2.4180 1014 Hz

Physical Quantity Gaussian Units to SI Natural Units to SI

Name or Description SI Gaussian

In a plasma, 0 = 4 107 H m1 (Gaussian units: 1). The

Permittivity of free space 0 = 8.8542 1012 F m1

Frequency Range Wavelength Range

Solutions are q(t) = qs + qt , I(t) = Is + It , where the steady state is

where = (R 1/2 )/2L;

qt = [q0 + (I0 + R q0 )t] exp(R t),

Here 1 = 0 (1 R2 C/4L)1/2 , where 0 = (LC)1/2 is the resonant

Name(s) Symbol Definition Significance

Alfven, Al, Ka VA /V *(Magnetic force/

Hartmann H BL/()1/2 = (Magnetic force/

At a shock front propagating in a magnetized fluid at an angle with

(14) U/U = B/B = r;

All quantities are in Gaussian cgs units except temperature (T , Te , Ti )

e is the total energy of waves with /K < vT i .

Pmag = B 2 /8 = 3.98 106 (B/B0 )2 dynes/cm2 = 3.93(B/B0 )2 atm,

Definition16 (first form valid only for Im > 0):

Physically, = x + iy is the ratio of wave phase velocity to thermal velocity.

Imaginary argument (x = 0):

Power series (small argument):

Asymptotic series, ||  1 (Ref. 17):

where 0 y > |x|1

Z(*) = [Z()] * + 2i 1/2 exp[(*)2 ] (y > 0).

Temperatures are in eV; the corresponding value of Boltzmanns constant

where v = |v | and the averages are performed over an ensemble of test

and = ln is the Coulomb logarithm (see below). Limiting forms of

e|i 4.2 109 ni Z 2 ei

| i|e e|e, i|i e|p e|D e|T, e|He3 e|He4

When both species are near Maxwellian, with Ti <

e = 2.9 106 nTe 3/2 sec1 ;

Permittivity of free space 0 = 8.8542 1012 F m1

Asymptotic series, || 1 (Ref. 17):

where 0 y > |x|1

Z() = [Z()] + 2i 1/2 exp[(*)2 ] (y > 0).

e|i 4.2 109 ni Z 2 ei

In the limit of large fields (c 1, = i, e) the transport processes may

For ce e 1 ci i , the electrons obey the high-field expressions and the

Ion acoustic T e Ti , V d C s Quasilinear, ion tail form-