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Rating: 
Summary: Still the best plasma intro
Review: 19 years later this is still the best introduction to plasma physics. Obviously written by an experimentalist. Well grounded. Emphasis on problem solving. Lots of examples. Intuitive explanations before the math. Explanations of experiments and even experimental results. Solutions in the back make it well suited for self-learners. A 3rd edition would be nice with maybe a little intro to computational methods. A vol 2 would be even nicer.
Rating:
Summary: Classic Text for the Home Library
Review: Excellent overview of plasma physics theory. Covers all the bases. From plasma applications to non-linear effects in plasmas. There is also a great introduction to Kinetic Theory and controlled fusion physics.
Rating:
Summary: Classic Text for the Home Library
Review: Excellent overview of plasma physics theory. Covers all the bases. From plasma applications to non-linear effects in plasmas. There is also a great introduction to Kinetic Theory and controlled fusion physics.
Rating: 
Summary: A Good Text On The Basics - By an Expert
Review: Francis Chen and others pioneered the so called Q Machine at Princeton's Plasma Physics Laboratory in the 60's in which they produced a very "quiet" plasma in which they could study turbulence or propagate waves or do ion or electron heating to set up non equilibrium situations in the plasma. It was very fascinating work and received a lot of attention and led to a number of publications including articles in Scientific American and in the Journals Physics of Fluids, etc.So this book was written by one of the acknowledged experimental pioneers in laboratory plasma physics. The first generation did things like ionization energies and plasma breakdown while Chen's generation started to do actual wave propagation in the laboratory in a controlled fashion where they had excellent control over the plasma temperature, density, phase space velocity distribution, gradients, etc. This group of researchers was able to advance and built on prior research.He takes all this hands on experience and knowledge and puts it together to write this book. If anyone is qualified it is F.F.Chen. The reader - then - is lucky enough to have this book written by Chen a pioneering expert in drift waves and similar plasma processes. Although the book is starting to age a bit is still an excellent introduction and covers all the basic aspects. One should have completed at least the basics of electromagnetic theory before attempting to read or buy the book and I would suggest at least two years or three of undergraduate physics or EE. It is best learned and studied in an environment where you can do actual plasma physics experiments. Absob this book and you will have a broad starting base. I just bought a new copy and use it as a reference. 5 stars. Jack in Toronto
Rating: 
Summary: zzz
Review: I didn't like Chen's style of writing. It could never keep my interest long enough for me to learn anything useful. I always started to get real sleepy every time I picked it up. I found that professor's notes were a lot more helpful for learning about plasmas.
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Summary: Awsome Book
Review: This is a great book for introductory level plasma physics for undergraduates. Deals with everything from particle drifts to kinetic effects in an easy to understand physical approach. There is also a nice review of waves in plasmas.
Rating:
Summary: Great intro to plasma physics
Review: This is a great introduction to plasma physics. I have used this book for both undergraduate and graduate work and it lends itself well to either. Starts out basic enough for 3rd and 4th year undergrads to work with and also has enough detailed information for more advanced graduate studies. I have to recommend this as the best introduction to this field out there.
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