Introduction to Hot Laser Plasma Physics

This book is concerned with a rapidly developing area of physics -- hot laser plasma and its applications. The book is intended for undergraduate and graduate university students, as well as for those working in this research area professionally. The authors' aim was to give a clear physical description of phenomena involved in the interaction between high power laser radiation and plasma. They tried to avoid cumbersome mathematical calculations but to provide the reader with a physically correct up-to-date picture of the phenomena. The presentation begins with the fundamental concepts of plasma physics, so that the reader does not have to resort to many other source books. Most of the book represents an introduction to the physics of a laser plasma and some of its applications, primarily its use for laser-induced thermonuclear fusion (inertial confine fusion -- ICF). The work in this area has lately been very active, so it is premature and even impossible to present the material as a well-established knowledge. We have just tried to introduce the reader to the state of the art and essential aspects of the problem, thus facilitating a more detailed study of particular issues concerning a hot laser plasma and its applications.Andreev, Alexander A. is the author of 'Introduction to Hot Laser Plasma Physics' with ISBN 9781560728030 and ISBN 1560728035.