Principles Of Fusion Energy: An Introduction To Fusion Energy For Students Of Science And Engineering Illustrated Edition

While I really didn't follow the equations in detail, the book still conveyed the gist very well. You will become acquainted with the multitude of fusion reactor design issues that has made this technology "within 25 years" for the last five decades.The book was produced with the newer print-on-demand process just days before shipping to me. With this newer process, the quality equals any good trade paperback out there.

I was looking for an introductory text that was current and that would cover the most popular approaches. I didn't want something directed at the popular level (little or no math), but I also didn't want a text that would go into agonizing analysis of every plasma instability under the sun. There are many fine books on plasma physics (e.g F. F. Chen's "Introduction to Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion"); that is not what I was looking for and that is not the emphasis of this text.This covers the basic physics and explains the basic concepts behind several of the more popular fusion approaches. The reader should have college level physics and calculus to get the most out of this book. I found it useful but not comprehensive (you can only fit so much in under 300 pages). So if you want to know the fusion cross-section of, say, p + B reactions, you'll need to locate other information sources. But you will find reaction cross-section tabulations on d + t, d + d, etc. reactions as a function of energy.

The book covers many of the essential topics underlying Plasma Physics for Physics and Advanced Electrical Engineering and Mechanical-Aerospace Engineering (Heat and Fluid Specialties) or Science (e.g., Chemistry). However, the reader must be forewarned this is no introductory textbook or reference when it comes to requisite knowledge to begin. One must truly have some basic understanding, if not intermediate to advanced knowledge of Plasmas, Electromagnetism (minimally Classical E&M) and Fluid Science (although Relativity and Quantum Physics are not necessary here) as requisite knowledge, merely to start the learning curve.The book starts with a 'quick' exposure to what Plasma is in rather succinct terms. There is an underlying assumption of understanding fundamental Plasma Physics here because ignorance is no excuse.Then the book goes on into the various E&M applications in Plasma and various fluid-related derivations involving the Continuity Equation and so forth. The aim here is to build up all the underlying ideas and concepts toward Plasma energy-generating devices such as the Tokomak. Again, nothing is simple, straightforward or self-explanatory for the uninitiated or so-called eager self-starter as the details can be very deep and daunting for the student or reader with an lower-division undergraduate college knowledge of Physics, E&M and Fluids.Perhaps this book was originally intended for the European and Asian scientific and engineering communities, well versed in theoretical tools in E&M Theory on a broad academic basis, not for the overspecialized American or Canadian engineer who is narrowly focused on a few fields of interest, e.g., Fluid Mechanics and Solid-state Electronics.The caveat here is: Have the requisite knowledge ahead of time, whether from coursework or direct exposure in a typically R&D job. There is little to no room for trying to figure out where the ideas emanating form E&M, fluids and heat (Classical Statistical Mechanics) come into play or lie in the overall picture.Finally, your truly wishes the reader or student using this as the textbook well as it is truly challenging because, despite its name, it is more detailed and heavier than many other books in print, F.F. Chen's comparable book on Plasma Science. This remains a fairly decent piece of work but still caveat emptor for the eager learner without the requisite know-how!

I have an MS in Physics and have purchased several textbooks on plasma confinement, ideal MHD, fusion power and stellarators. An understanding of these related subjects hinges on being able to visualize very complex 3D surfaces and vector quantities, and so quality diagrams and images are vital. That's what makes this book excellent. With an average of one graphic every other page and a high level overview that doesn't skimp on the necessary formulas, it was exactly what I have been looking for to add to my collection. Copies of this book in either hardcover or paperback are rare, dont miss a chance to own it if you have an interest in fusion confinement.

Great descriptions and visuals make the topic A LOT more approachable. The math goes wayyy over my head *for now* but I still got a decent understanding of the topics regarding nuclear fusion from reading the book.

If you're a controlled nuclear fusion buff like myself, this book does a decent job transitioning from history and introductory information to real plasma physics. Doesn't just cover tokamaks, stellarators, and inertial fusion but also discusses mirror, pinched, and muon catalyzed fusion (real cold fusion). Surprisingly in a few paragraphs it alludes to the Farnsworth fusor too. Great variety and solid intro for people getting serious...buy it.

This book merely presents topics in a sequential order of equations. This is a terrible way to discuss such a complex topic to someone who doesn’t understand it. It seems like it would make sense to someone who already understands the topic - completely against the point. Most engineering books have extensive illustrations, diagrams, plots, etc. this hardly has any. It could have been written in the 1930s or something. Terrible buy.

Book is great. I don’t know why it came sticky with weird smudges all over the cover. Maybe someone likes fusion more than me.