Radiation Processes In Astrophysics

by Wallace H. Tucker

Overview

A brief, simple introduction to the theory of radiation and its application in astrophysics and a manual for researchers.

The purpose of this book is twofold: to provide a brief, simple introduction to the theory of radiation and its applcation in astrophysics and to serve as a refernce manual for researchers. The first part of the book consists of a dicussion of the basic formulas and concepts that underlie the classical and quantum descriptions of radiation processes. The rest of the book is concerned with applications. The spirit of the discussion is to present simple derivations that will provide some insight into the basic physics involved and then to state the exact results in a form useful for applications. The reader is referred to the original literature and to reviews for rigorous derivations.

Contents
Basic Formulas for Classical Radiation Processes - Basic Formulas for Quantum Radiation Processes - Cyclotron and Synchrotron Radiation - Electron Scattering - Bremsstrahlung and Collision Losses - Rediative Recombination - The Photoelectric Effect - and Emission and Absorption Lines

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780262700108
Publisher:	MIT Press
Publication date:	01/15/1978
Series:	The MIT Press
Pages:	328
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.80(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Wallace Tucker is an Astrophysicist in the Director's Office at the Chandra X-Ray Observatory

Table of Contents

Preface p.v.
1. Basic Formulas for Classical Radiation Processes p.1
2. Basic Formulas for Quantum Radiation Processes p.56
3. Cyclotron and Synchrotron Radiation p.108
4. Electron Scattering p.151
5. Bremsstrahlung and Collision Losses p.182
6. Radiative Recombination p.218
7. The Photoelectric Effect p.236
8. Emission and Absorption Lines p.252
References p.277
Index p.305

What People are Saying About This

Endorsement

Wallace Tucker has written this volume on electromagnetic processes with astronomers in mind. It will be a valuable source book for researchers and a useful text at graduate level. The emphasis is on economy of style and presentation rather than mathematical rigour; consequently the equations (nearly 800!) look less formidable than is sometimes the case. This is an interesting contribution that brings the professional scientist close to the frontiers of research on the radiation mechanisms encountered in modern astrophysics; it is a tool of the trade rather than a leisurely outline.

—Journal of the British Astronomical Association

From the Publisher

"Wallace Tucker has written this volume on electromagnetic processes with astronomers in mind. It will be a valuable source book for researchers and a useful text at graduate level. The emphasis is on economy of style and presentation rather than mathematical rigour; consequently the equations (nearly 800!) look less formidable than is sometimes the case. This is an interesting contribution that brings the professional scientist close to the frontiers of research on the radiation mechanisms encountered in modern astrophysics; it is a tool of the trade rather than a leisurely outline." Journal of the British Astronomical Association

Editorial Reviews

"Wallace Tucker has written this volume on electromagnetic processes with astronomers in mind. It will be a valuable source book for researchers and a useful text at graduate level. The emphasis is on economy of style and presentation rather than mathematical rigour; consequently the equations (nearly 800!) look less formidable than is sometimes the case. This is an interesting contribution that brings the professional scientist close to the frontiers of research on the radiation mechanisms encountered in modern astrophysics; it is a tool of the trade rather than a leisurely outline."--"Journal of the British Astronomical Association"

From the Publisher