Variational Principles for Collective Plasma Motion

What it is about

You will learn how models for collective motions in plasmas can be derived from variational principles. After the course you will be able to apply variational principles in Lagrangian and Eulerian descriptions and derive models such as MHD, Vlasov–Maxwell, drift-kinetics and hybrid variants, as well as understand the corresponding conserved quantities.

What you will be able to do

• Understand variational principles for fluid and gas dynamics in the plasma context
• Apply the Lagrange- and Euler‑(labeling) formulations
• Comprehend Euler–Poincaré reduction and the derivation of the corresponding constraint variations
• Derivation of models: MHD, Vlasov–Maxwell, drift-kinetics and hybrid models
• Identify conservation laws via Noether's theorem

What the module consists of

• VorlesungConveying the theoretical foundations and derivations

Teaching method

• Vorlesungto introduce concepts such as flow maps, differential forms and variational calculus as well as to derive models