Elizabeth Paul co-authors An Introduction to Stellarators

Elizabeth Paul, Assistant Professor of Applied Physics, has published the monograph An Introduction to Stellarators: From Magnetic Fields to Symmetries and  Optimization along with her co-authors, Lise-Marie Imbert-Gerard (University of Arizona, Tucson) and Adelle Wright (University of Wisconsin, Madison). 

The book project grew out of the Hidden Symmetries and Fusion Energy collaboration, funded by the Simons Foundation. Since this group brought together mathematicians, computer scientists and plasma physicists to advance stellarator optimization, it became clear that a common language was needed in order to communicate effectively. The project initially started in 2018 as a "plasma dictionary", defining key terms in stellarator plasma theory, but then grew into a more substantial book as the collaboration progressed. Along the way, the text has been used as a reference for several summer schools. Prof. Paul has also developed a course around the text, which was taught in Spring 2024 under APPH9143: Special Topics in Applied Physics. 

The book aims to present the basic theoretical building blocks to understand modeling of stellarator magnetic fields. Given its multidisciplinary nature, it is accessible to a broad technical audience who may not have a background in plasma physics. The book is available to Columbia affiliates through the University library system and can be purchased from SIAM.