Paul M. Bellan, California Institute of Technology, has published a book titled Spheromaks (Imperial College Press, 2000). Subtitled "A Practical Application of Magnetohydrodynamic Dynamos and Plasma Self-Organization," the book begins with a review of the basic concepts of magnetohydrodynamics and toroidal magnetic configurations, then provides a detailed exposition of the 3D topological concepts underlying spheromak physics, namely magnetic helicity, Taylor relaxation, force-free equilibria, and tilt stability. It then examines spheromak formation techniques, driven and isolated configurations, dynamo concepts, practical experimental issues, diagnostics, and a number of applications. The book concludes by showing how spheromak ideas are closely related to the physics of solar prominences and interplanetary magnetic clouds.

As Bellan states in the Preface, "This book assumes the reader has a modest background in plasma physics but no prior knowledge of spheromaks." Bellan states, "The physics of the spheromak has intrigued its devotees because this physics depends on intrinsic three dimensionality and complexity." Nevertheless, he notes, "spheromaks offer the possibility of turning what was previously considered catastrophic instability into the basis of a low-cost plasma confinement scheme."

This book should be invaluable to all plasma physicists interested in the physics of plasma self-organization and its applications. It can be ordered from World Scientific Publishing Company, Suite 1B, 1060 Main Street, River Edge, NJ 07661; 57 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9HE, UK; or P.O. Box 128, Farrer Road, Singapore 912805.

For further information, contact Paul Bellan (pbellan@cco.caltech.edu).