Module: Plasma Science & Technology

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Plasma Science & Technology
Module Code	PHY1009 (ITS: PS406)
Faculty	Physical Sciences	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

The purpose of this module is to provide students an overview of the fundamental principles that govern low pressure plasma discharges and a broad awareness of the current applications of plasma processing and surface analysis techniques in industry.

Learning Outcomes

1. State the fundamental properties of a plasma.
2. Relate previously introduced physical principles to that of plasmas.
3. Identify the properties of a plasma to the area of its application.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	two lectures per week
Tutorial	12	one tutorial per week
Assignment Completion	24	one assignment per week
Independent Study	65	studying lecture material, solving numerical problems and undertaking background reading
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20049	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC3	Best Mark	Y
Module Co-ordinator	Deborah O'Connell	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Short Answer Questions	Assignments	20%	Every Week
Formal Examination	End-of-Semester Final Examination	80%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Indicative Syllabus
Electromagnetic interactions in plasmas, plasma chemistry, plasma properties and generation, plasma diagnostics, plasmas in industry, vacuum technology

Plasmas
Electromagnetic interactions in plasmas

Plasma chemistry
plasma chemistry

Plasma properties and generation
plasma properties and generation

plasma diagnostics
Diagnostic methods for plasmas

Plasmas in industry
Industrial applications of plasmas in industry

Indicative Reading List

Books:

M. A. Lieberman and A. J. Lichtenberg: 2005, Principles of Plasma Discharges and Materials Processing, 2nd, Wiley-Interscience,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None