Plasma Astrophysics, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1993 Kinetic Processes in Solar and Stellar Coronae Astrophysics and Space Science Library Series, Vol. 184

This textbook is intended as an introduction to the physics of solar and stellar coronae, emphasizing kinetic plasma processes. It is addressed to observational astronomers, graduate students, and advanced undergraduates without a back­ ground in plasma physics. Coronal physics is today a vast field with many different aims and goals. Sort­ ing out the really important aspects of an observed phenomenon and using the physics best suited for the case is a formidable problem. There are already several excellent books, oriented toward the interests of astrophysicists, that deal with the magnetohydrodynamics of stellar atmospheres, radiation transport, and radiation theory. In kinetic processes, the different particle velocities play an important role. This is the case when particle collisions can be neglected, for example in very brief phenomena - such as one period of a high-frequency wave - or in effects produced by energetic particles with very long collision times. Some of the most persistent problems of solar physics, like coronal heating, shock waves, flare energy release, and particle acceleration, are likely to be at least partially related to such pro­ cesses. Study of the Sun is not regarded here as an end in itself, but as the source of information for more general stellar applications. Our understanding of stellar processes relies heavily, in turn, on our understanding of solar processes. Thus an introduction to what is happening in hot, dilute coronae necessarily starts with the plasma physics of our nearest star.

1. Introduction.- 1.1. The Solar Corona.- 1.2. Dynamic Processes.- 1.3. Stellar Coronae.- 1.4. Fundamental Equations.- Further Reading and References.- 2. Basic Concepts.- 2.1. Single Particle Orbit.- 2.2. Particle Trapping in Magnetic Fields.- 2.3. Generation of Beams.- 2.4. Debye Shielding.- 2.5. Charge Oscillations and the Plasma Frequency.- 2.6. Collisions.- Exercises.- Further Reading and References.- 3. Magnetohydrodynamics.- 3.1. Basic Statistics.- 3.2. MHD Waves.- Exercises.- Further Reading and References.- 4. Waves in a Cold, Collisionless Plasma.- 4.1. Approximations and Assumptions.- 4.2. Cold Plasma Modes.- 4.3. Parallel Waves.- 4.4. Perpendicular Propagation.- 4.5. Oblique Propagation and Overview.- 4.6. Beam Mode.- Exercises.- Further Reading and References.- 5. Kinetic Plasma and Particle Beams.- 5.1. Radio Observations of Solar Electron Beams.- 5.2. Waves and Instability in Kinetic Plasmas.- 5.3. Plasma Waves in the Solar Corona.- Exercises.- Further Reading and References.- 6. Astrophysical Electron Beams.- 6.1. The Beam-Plasma System.- 6.2. Non-Linear Evolution and Saturation.- 6.3. Plasma Emission.- 6.4. Hard X-Ray Emission of Beams.- Exercises.- Further Reading and References.- 7. Ion Beams and Electromagnetic Instabilities.- 7.1. Observations of Energetic Ions.- 7.2. Electromagnetic Instabilities of Velocity Space Anisotropy.- 7.3. Applications to Ion Beams.- 7.4. Electrostatic Ion Beam Instabilities.- Exercises.- Further Reading and References.- 8. Electrons Trapped in Magnetic Fields.- 8.1. Observational Motivation.- 8.2. Loss-Cone Instabilities.- 8.3. Precipitation by Trapped Electrons.- 8.4. Observations of Trapped Electrons.- Exercises.- Further Reading and References.- 9. Electric Currents.- 9.1. Origin of Currents in Coronae.- 9.2. ClassicalConductivity and Particle Acceleration in Stable Currents.- 9.3. Instabilities of Electric Currents.- 9.4. Anomalous Conductivity, Heating, and Acceleration.- 9.5. Observing Currents.- Exercises.- Further Reading and References.- 10. Collisionless Shock Waves.- 10.1. Elementary Concepts.- 10.2. Collisionless Shocks in the Solar System.- 10.3. Particle Acceleration and Heating.- Exercises.- Further Reading and References.- 11. Propagation of Radiation.- 11.1. Transfer Equation.- 11.2. Collisional Absorption.- 11.3. Dispersion Effects.- 11.4. Scattering at Plasma Inhomogeneities.- 11.5. Propagation in a Fibrous Medium.- Exercises.- Further Reading and References.- Appendix A. Mathematical Expressions.- Appendix B. Units.- Appendix C. Frequently Used Expressions.- Appendix D. Notation.- Author Index.