I have created SymSolver, a computer algebra system capable of finding and solving the dispersion relation, given a system of differential equations.

Such work is extremely useful in understanding how plasma responds to a small disturbance. What frequency will ring strongest? Will an instability develop? Will the plasma become turbulent, or is the system stable?

It is possible to work through the math by hand, but that can be quite time-consuming, taking many hours or possibly days to solve one problem. SymSolver can handle the math and show its work, too, so you don’t have to spend all that time going through the algebra yourself.

E.g. it can turn this:

into this:

If you have any questions or a desire to contribute to the code, please reach out to me at sevans7 -at- bu.edu, I would be happy to chat!