The course covers the main aspects of plasma physics with emphasis on nuclear fusion: basics of plasma physics – kinetic theory and magneto-hydrodynamic description of a plasma – concepts and experimental results of tokamak and stellarator configurations – external heating and diagnostics of a fusion device – plasma wall interaction and material research – safety and environmental aspects of fusion – alternative concepts - ITER and the next steps towards a reactor. It includes a tour to the IPP-stellarator experiment, Wendelstein 7-X.
The lectures are designed for physics and engineering students who have passed their bachelor courses or master students that have not yet decided their PhD topic.
