Fundamental Aspects of Plasma Chemical Physics, 2012 Thermodynamics Springer Series on Atomic, Optical, and Plasma Physics Series, Vol. 66

Fundamental Aspects of Plasma Chemical Physics - Thermodynamics develops basic and advanced concepts of plasma thermodynamics from both classical and statistical points of view.

After a refreshment of classical thermodynamics applied to the dissociation and ionization regimes, the book invites the reader to discover the role of electronic excitation in affecting the properties of plasmas, a topic often overlooked by the thermal plasma community.

Particular attention is devoted to the problem of the divergence of the partition function of atomic species and the state-to-state approach for calculating the partition function of diatomic and polyatomic molecules. The limit of ideal gas approximation is also discussed, by introducing Debye-Huckel and virial corrections.

Throughout the book, worked examples are given in order to clarify concepts and mathematical approaches.

This book is a first of a series of three books to be published by the authors on fundamental aspects of plasma chemical physics.  The next books will discuss transport and kinetics.

Classical Thermodynamics.- Two and Three Level Systems.- Statistical Thermodynamics.- Atomic Partition Function.- Molecular Partition Function.- Real Effects: I. Debye-Hückel.- Real Effects: II. Virial Corrections.- Electronic Excitation.- Multi-Temperature Thermodynamics.- Thermodynamics of Planetary Plasmas.- Appendix.

Mario Capitelli, University of Bari, mario.capitelli@ba.imip.cnr.it

Gianpiero Colonna, IMIP CNR Bari,