Fundamental Aspects of Plasma Chemical Physics: Thermodynamics (Springer Series on Atomic, Optical, and Plasma Physics)

Fundamental Aspects of Plasma Chemical Physics – Thermodynamics develops basic and advanced concepts of plasma thermodynamics from both classical and statistical points of view. After a refreshment of classical thermodynamics applied to the dissociation and ionization regimes, the book invites the reader to discover the role of electronic excitation in affecting the properties of plasmas, a topic often overlooked by the thermal plasma community. Particular attention is devoted to the problem of the divergence of the partition function of atomic species and the state-to-state approach for calculating the partition function of diatomic and polyatomic molecules. The limit of ideal gas approximation is also discussed, by introducing Debye-Huckel and virial corrections. Throughout the book, worked examples are given in order to clarify concepts and mathematical approaches. This book is a first of a series of three books to be published by the authors on fundamental aspects of plasma chemical physics.  The next books will discuss transport and kinetics. Mario Capitelli, University of Bari, mario.capitelli@ba.imip.cnr.it Gianpiero Colonna, IMIP CNR Bari, Classical Thermodynamics.- Two and Three Level Systems.- Statistical Thermodynamics.- Atomic Partition Function.- Molecular Partition Function.- Real Effects: I. Debye-Hckel.- Real Effects: II. Virial Corrections.- Electronic Excitation.- Multi-Temperature Thermodynamics.- Thermodynamics of Planetary Plasmas.- Appendix.