Scientists and engineers worldwide are working toward the development of practical fusion power, technology that could provide a sustainable source of clean energy. Fusion reactors are designed to sustain plasmas in strong magnetic fields at temperatures hotter than the Sun's core, and the study of these plasmas is integral to fusion research. This introductory textbook comprehensively explains how the behavior of plasmas can be described using four useful models- guiding-center theory, two-fluid theory, magnetohydrodynamics and kinetic theory. Key topics include nuclear reactions, collisions, plasma waves and stability. All concepts are explained step-by-step in an accessible, pedagogical style, and the 140 solved problems make the text an ideal companion for self-study. The book is a must-read for upper undergraduate and graduate physics and engineering students taking courses in plasma physics with an emphasis on fusion.

'If there is a theoretical minimum that every plasma physicist should master, this is it. Salewski chooses his topics with a researcher's eye for what truly matters and builds each one up from first principles, using exactly as much mathematics as the physics needs and not a line more. The aim throughout is genuine understanding rather than a catalogue of results. It is the first book I would put in the hands of anyone entering fusion research.'

Simon Pinches - ITER

'This book provides a comprehensive compendium of fundamental plasma physics concepts, ranging from single-particle motion to fluid, magnetohydrodynamic (MHD), and kinetic descriptions of plasmas. It offers a systematic foundation for students and professionals interested in the wide range of applications of plasmas, from space and astrophysics to fusion energy, with a modern approach and a breadth that can be difficult to find in the existing literature. Throughout, the treatments are rigorous while remaining clear and accessible to students and readers from different backgrounds. The book constitutes a valuable addition to the already substantial body of plasma physics textbooks.'

Ambrogio Fasoli - EPFL