Neutrino Astrophysics

by John N. Bahcall

Overview

This authoritative text provides a lively, thought-provoking and informative summary of neutrino astrophysics. Neutrino astronomy is being revolutionized by the availability of new observational facilities. Theoretical work in astrophysics and in particle physics in increasing rapidly. The subject of solar neutrinos has many seemingly independent aspects, both in its theoretical basis (involving nuclear, atomic, and particle physics, geochemistry, and astronomy). For many physicists, solar neutrinos constitute the low-energy frontier of high-energy physics. Results from all these disciplines are combined here, providing a timely and unified discussion of the field. Each chapter begins with a succinct overview of material to be presented and ends with an annotated bibliography. For advanced undergraduate students, but will be essential reading for all researchers interested in the physics of neutrinos and what they reveal about the nature of the Universe.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521379755
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	07/28/1989
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	592
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 8.98(h) x 1.46(d)

Table of Contents

List of tables; List of figures; Preface; 1. Overview; 2. Stellar structure and evolution; 3. Nuclear fusion reactions; 4. The standard solar model; 5. Nonstandard solar models; 6. The neutrinos; 7. Theoretical uncertainties; 8. Neutrino cross sections; 9. Beyond the standard model of electroweak interactions; 10. The 37CI experiment; 11. The 71Ga experiments; 12. Geochemical and radiochemical detectors: Mo, Tl, Li, Br, I; 13. Neutrino-electron scattering experiments; 14. Direct counting experiments; 15. Stellar collapse; 16. Synopsis and future directions; Appendix; References; Index.

Editorial Reviews

"The book provides a thorough and expert summary of a field of intense current interest." Nature

"This book should serve as the standard reference for this rapidly developing area of research for some time to come."—Physics Today

"...a very important book covering the observational, theoretical, and experimental aspects of neutrino astrophysics." Sky & Telescope

"...an outstanding book on an exciting, developing new field of astronomy." American Journal of Physics

"...this book will stand as a landmark account of what has become one of the most important experiments in physics, not just astronomy, during the second half of the 20th century." John Gribbin, New Scientist

"...an excellent book on neutrino astrophysics...Elementary particle theorists will find here a most valuable guide to theoretical developments. Experimenters will be delighted by the accurate, clear discussion of observations." Comments on Astrophysics

From the Publisher

In the past quarter century researchers scattered about the globe have captured about 1000 solar neutrinos, and about 20 from the 1987 supernova. The former have given rise to "the solar neutrino problem" (the primary subject matter of this nice book), and the latter to the exciting promise of a full-fledged "neutrino astrophysics". The field derives much of its excitement from the fact that it provokes a deep interplay between astrophysics and the physics of elementary particles, and demands an exceptionally high level of cleverness on the part of experimentalists. This engagingly written and broadly accessible work by an acknowledged leader in the field provides a balanced account of its accomplishments, motivational pulse and prospects. Very attractively produced. (NW) Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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