This book offers advanced students and researchers an up-to-date quantum treatment of the interaction of atoms with electromagnetic radiation. Problems and solutions are used to develop concepts, terminology, and the principal results of the quantum theory of radiative processes in atoms. Concepts covered include: radiative transitions between discrete states in atomic systems, atomic photoprocesses involving free particles, coherent phenomena in radiative transitions, extensive treatment of line-broadening mechanisms, atoms in strong fields and theory of angular momentum.
Radiative Processes in Astrophysics: This clear, straightforward, and fundamental introduction is designed to present-from a physicist's point of view-radiation processes and their applications to astrophysical phenomena and space science. It covers such topics as radiative transfer theory, relativistic covariance and kinematics, bremsstrahlung radiation, synchrotron radiation, Compton scattering, some plasma effects, and radiative transitions in atoms. Discussion begins with first principles, physically motivating and deriving all results rather than merely presenting finished formulae. However, a reasonably good physics background (introductory quantum mechanics, intermediate electromagnetic theory, special relativity, and some statistical mechanics) is required. Much of this prerequisite material is provided by brief reviews, making the book a self-contained reference for workers in the field as well as the ideal text for senior or first-year graduate students of astronomy, astrophysics, and related physics courses. Radiative Processes in Astrophysics also contains about 75 problems, with solutions, illustrating applications of the material and methods for calculating results. This important and integral section emphasizes physical intuition by presenting important results that are used throughout the main text; it is here that most of the practical astrophysical applications become apparent.
This book describes the basic physical principles of atomic spectroscopy and the absorption and emission of radiation in astrophysical and laboratory plasmas. It summarizes the basics of electromagnetism and thermodynamics and then describes in detail the theory of atomic spectra for complex atoms, with emphasis on astrophysical applications. Both equilibrium and non-equilibrium phenomena in plasmas are considered. The interaction between radiation and matter is described, together with various types of radiation (e.g., cyclotron, synchrotron, bremsstrahlung, Compton). The basic theory of polarization is explained, as is the theory of radiative transfer for astrophysical applications. Atomic Spectroscopy and Radiative Processes bridges the gap between basic books on atomic spectroscopy and the very specialized publications for the advanced researcher: it will provide under- and postgraduates with a clear in-depth description of theoretical aspects, supported by practical examples of applications.
This book describes selected problems in contemporary spectroscopy in the context of quantum mechanics and statistical physics. It focuses on elementary radiative processes involving atomic particles (atoms, molecules, ions), which include radiative transitions between discrete atomic states, the photoionization of atoms, photorecombination of electrons and ions, bremsstrahlung, photodissociation of molecules, and photoattachment of electrons to atoms. In addition to these processes, the transport of resonant radiation in atomic gases and propagation of infrared radiation in molecular gases are also considered. The book subsequently addresses applied problems such as optical pumping, cooling of gases via laser resonance radiation, light-induced drift of gas atoms, photoresonant plasma, reflection of radio waves from the ionosphere, and detection of submillimeter radiation using Rydberg atoms. Lastly, topical examples in atmospheric and climate change science are presented, such as lightning channel glowing, emission of the solar photosphere, and the greenhouse phenomenon in the atmospheres of the Earth and Venus. Along with researchers, both graduate and undergraduate students in atomic, molecular and atmospheric physics will find this book a useful and timely guide.
The physics of emission, absorption and interaction of light in astrophysics and in laboratory plasmas is developed from first principles and applied across various fields, from quantum mechanics, electricity and magnetism, to statistical physics. This text links undergraduate level atomic and radiation physics with the advanced material required for postgraduate study and research.
Radiation can be absorbed and re-emitted many times in atomic vapors before it reaches the boundaries of the container encasing the vapor. This effect is known as radiation trapping. It plays an important role practically everywhere atomic vapors occur, whether in spectroscopy, gas lasers, atomic line filters, the determination of atomic lifetimes, measurements of atomic interaction potentials, or electric discharge lamps. This book is the first to assemble all of the information necessary to handle practical problems related to radiation trapping, and it emphasizes both physical insights and mathematical methods. The introduction reviews resonance radiation and collision processes in atomic vapors. This is followed by detailed explanations of the physical effects and mathematical methods for various types of problems (e.g., with or without saturation, particle diffusion, reflecting cell walls). The last part of the book describes the applications of these methods to a variety of practical problems, such as cross-section measurements and the design of discharge lamps.
This book presents a detailed, modern description of the ionization of atoms by strong laser radiation. The authors present descriptions of processes occurring in atoms under the action of strong electromagnetic radiation, in particular, the shift, broadening, and mixing of atomic states. The topics include tunneling ionization, above-threshold ionization, ionization of multiply charged ions, resonance-enhanced ionization, super-intense radiation fields, and properties of Rydberg states strongly perturbed by laser radiation.
An Advanced Study Institute on Radiative Processes in Discharge Plasmas was held at the Atholl Palace Hotel, Pitlochry, Perthshire, Scotland, June 23 through July 5, 1985. This publication is the Pro ceedings from that Institute. The Institute was attended by eighty-five Participants and Lecturers representing the United States, Canada, France, West Germany, Greece, The Netherlands, Portugal, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland. A distinguished faculty of eighteen Lecturers was assembled and the topical program organized with the assistance of an Advisory Committee composed of: Dr. John Waymouth, USA; Dr. Timm Teich, Switzerland; Dr. Arthur Phelps, USA; Dr. Nicol Peacock, England; Professor Erich Kunhardt, USA; Dr. Anthony Hyder, USA; and Dr. Arthur Guenther, USA. The underlying theme and objective of the Institute was the enhance ment of scientific communication and exchange among academic, industrial, and national laboratory groups having a common concern for radiative processes in discharge plasmas. The program was organized into four major sessions sequentially treating: the fundamental science of visible and near-visible radiation in plasmas; the technology of discharge light sources; recent and novel methods for the generation of plasmas; and an update on advances in laser-based diagnostics. Each major session culmi nated in a panel discussion comprised of the Lecturers for that session.
