Unit 1. Fundamentals of Plasma Physics, Nuclear Fusion and Lasers

Coordinator

Vasco Guerra

Objectives

This course provides a basic training in the scientific area of plasma physics, nuclear fusion and lasers. The students are introduced to basic concepts and knowledge on plasma properties, collective effects and electrostatic shielding, single particle motion, electrostatic and electromagnetic wave propagation, charged particle transport, losses and confinement mechanisms, plasma kinetic theory, lasers and laser-plasma interactions.

Course at a glance

COURSE MODULES FP1. Fundamentals of plasma physics
FP2. Plasma kinetic theory
FP3. Introduction to lasers and laser-plasma interactions
TOPICS Basic concepts in plasma physics
Introduction to controlled nuclear fusion
Introduction to plasma technologies
Introduction to astrophysical plasma
Single particle motion in E and B fields
Fluid description of plasmas
Fluid theory of plasma waves
Transport phenomena in plasmas
Plasma kinetic equations
Coulomb interactions
Landau damping
Introduction to lasers
High-intensity lasers
Laser-plasma interactions
Secondary radiation sources and plasma waveguides
WEIGHT 7.5 ECTS
DURATION 6 weeks (lecturing and evaluation)
ORGANIZATION three mandatory modules (2+1.5+1.5 weeks)
teaching: ~ 3 hours/day
autonomous study: ~ 5 hours/day
MODULE COORDINATORS Vasco Guerra (FP1)
João P. Bizarro (FP2)
Gonçalo Figueira (FP3)
EVALUATION Homework assignments and final exam(s) (written or oral)


Unit 2. Diagnostics Methods for Plasmas – Methodologies and Techniques

Coordinator
Carlos Silva
Objectives
This course provides training in the most relevant methodologies and techniques supporting research in Plasma Science and Engineering. The main objective of the course is to give students a perspective about the Methodologies & Techniques in Plasma Physics and Engineering, by developing their ability to identify the appropriate methodologies required to address different experimental needs.

Course at a glance

COURSE MODULES MT1. Plasma diagnostics
MT2. Plasma techniques
MT3. Data processing and acquisition systems
MT4. Engineering in nuclear fusion
MT5. Microwave technology
TOPICS Introduction to measuring techniques
Plasma diagnostics: electric and magnetic probes, interferometry, Thomson scattering, spectroscopy, tomography, reflectometry, particle beams
Laser-plasma interaction diagnostics
Characterization of plasma facing components
Plasma sources and plasma processing
Data acquisition systems
Data analysis
Engineering in nuclear fusion: technologies, diagnostics, remote maintenance, quality and project management
Vacuum, magnets and power supply technology
Microwave technology: systems, devices and applications
WEIGHT 7.5 ECTS
DURATION 6 weeks (lecturing and evaluation)
ORGANIZATION five mandatory modules (1+2+1+0.5+0.5 weeks) + final evaluation (1 week)
teaching: ~ 3 hours/day
autonomous study: ~ 5 hours/day
MODULE COORDINATORS Carlos Silva (MT1)
Gonçalo Figueira, Eduardo Alves, Luís Lemos Alves (MT2)
Horácio Fernandes, Rui Coelho (MT3)
Bruno Gonçalves (MT4)
Maria Emília Manso (MT5)
EVALUATION Laboratory reports and/or homework assignments; final oral examination


Unit 3. Advanced Topics in Plasma Physics, Nuclear Fusion and Lasers

Coordinator
Luís L. Alves
Objectives
This course provides advanced training in plasma science and engineering, leading the students to the frontiers of knowledge in the most important topics of the scientific area of Plasma Physics, Nuclear Fusion and Lasers.

Course at a glance

COURSE MODULES AT1. Low-temperature plasma science and engineering
AT2. Plasma physics at high energy density
AT3. Plasma science and engineering of magnetic fusion
AT4. Space and astrophysical plasmas
TOPICS Low-temperature plasma science and engineering
  • Kinetic approach
  • Global models and plasma reactivity
  • Radiation in plasmas
  • Fluid / multi-fluid approach

Plasma physics at high energy density

  • Inertial Confinement Fusion
  • Physical properties of HEDP states
  • Plasma in motion
  • Energy transfers in plasmas
  • Relativistic plasmas

Plasma science and engineering of magnetic fusion

  • Tokamak equilibrium
  • Confinement and transport
  • MHD stability and instability
  • Kinetic instabilities and turbulence
  • Heating and current drive

Space and astrophysical plasmas

  • Instabilities
  • Magnetic reconnection
  • Turbulence
  • Particle acceleration and shocks
  • Magnetic field generation. Relativistic plasmas
WEIGHT 7.5 ECTS
DURATION 6 weeks (lecturing and evaluation)
ORGANIZATION four mandatory modules (1.5+1.5+1.5+1.5 weeks)
teaching: ~ 3 hours/day
autonomous study: ~ 5 hours/day
MODULE COORDINATORS Luís Lemos Alves (AT1)
Marta Fajardo (AT2)
Nuno Loureiro (AT3)
Luís Oliveira e Silva (AT4)
EVALUATION Homework assignments and written exam(s) for each module


Unit 4. Advanced Computation in Physics and Engineering

Coordinator
Luís Oliveira e Silva
Objectives
The main objective of the course is to give students a perspective about the potential and the tools of advanced computing in Physics and Engineering, by developing their ability to identify the appropriate methodologies required to tackle different problems in Physics and Engineering, and to implement the relevant numerical techniques in advanced computing resources.

Course at a glance

COURSE MODULES AC1. Introduction to programming languages
AC2. Advanced computation in Nuclear Fusion (Fluid/MHD)
AC3. Advanced computation in HED plasmas (PIC)
AC4. Advanced computation in LTPs (Kinetic)
TOPICS Numerical simulation in Physics and Engineering
  • Computational Plasma Physics
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics
  • Molecular Dynamics and Monte-Carlo simulations
Paradigms of Advanced Computing
  • Infrastructures for Advanced Computing
  • GRID computing
  • Massively Parallel Computing
Challenges in Advanced Computing in Physics and Engineering
  • Development, optimization and scalability of scientific applications
  • Scientific Visualization
  • Petascale computing
WEIGHT 7.5 ECTS
DURATION 6 weeks (lecturing and evaluation)
ORGANIZATION four mandatory modules (1+1.5+1.5+1.5 weeks) + final evaluation (0.5 week)
teaching: ~ 3 hours/day
autonomous study: ~ 5 hours/day
MODULE COORDINATORS Luís Oliveira e Silva
Marco Cardoso (introduction to MatLab)
Rui Coelho, Paulo Rodrigues (Fluid and MHD)
Jorge Vieira, Thomas Grismayer (PIC)
Luís L. Alves (kinetic: Boltzmann)
EVALUATION Homework assignments and final oral exam