Full Description
The acclaimed graduate text on astrophysical radiation, completely revised
The interaction of electromagnetic radiation with matter underpins nearly every observable astrophysical phenomenon, yet the subject demands fluency across classical electrodynamics, quantum mechanics, and statistical mechanics. Now in its Second Edition, Radiative Processes in Astrophysics provides a rigorous, unified treatment of these topics. Authored by researchers from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and the University of Florida, this revision builds on decades of classroom use.
This edition adds around 100 problems with solutions, sidebars connecting theory to contemporary discoveries in astrophysics, chapter introductions that contextualize each topic, and appendices reviewing quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics fundamentals. New application boxes relate core material to phenomena such as black hole accretion disks and modified blackbody spectra, strengthening the connection between formalism and observation.
Readers will also find:
A structured progression from Maxwell's equations through bremsstrahlung, synchrotron radiation, Compton scattering, and radiative transfer theory
Sidebars and application boxes linking classical derivations to recent observational discoveries across modern astrophysics
Appendices providing self-contained reviews of quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics for readers needing targeted refreshers
Around 100 worked problems with solutions designed to reinforce analytical skills and deepen physical intuition
Chapter introductions that frame each topic within the broader context of contemporary astrophysical research
Designed for master's and doctoral students in physics and astrophysics, as well as lecturers seeking a proven course text, Radiative Processes in Astrophysics delivers the depth and rigor required to build lasting competence in electromagnetic radiation theory and its astrophysical applications.
Contents
CHAPTER 1 FUNDAMENTALS OF RADIATIVE TRANSFER
1.1 The Electromagnetic Spectrum;
Elementary Properties of Radiation
1.2 Radiative Flux
1.3 The Specific Intensity and Its Moments
1.4 Radiative Transfer
1.5 Thermal Radiation
1.6 The Einstein Coefficients
1.7 Scattering Effects;
Random Walks
1.8 Radiative Diffusion
PROBLEMS
CHAPTER 2 BASIC THEORY OF RADIATION FIELDS
2.1 Review of Maxwell's Equations
2.2 Plane Electromagnetic Waves
2.3 The Radiation Spectrum
2.4 Polarization and Stokes Parameters
2.5 Electromagnetic Potentials
2.6 Applicability of Transfer Theory and the Geometrical Optics Limit
PROBLEMS
CHAPTER 3 RADIATION FROM MOVING CHARGES
3.1 Retarded Potentials of Single Moving Charges: The Lienard-Wiechart Potentials
3.2 The Velocity and Radiation Fields
3.3 Radiation from Nonrelativistic Systems
3.4 Thomson Scattering (Electron Scattering)
3.5 Radiation Reaction
3.6 Radiation from Harmonically Bound Particles
PROBLEMS
CHAPTER 4 RELATIVISTIC COVARIANCE AND KINEMATICS
4.1 Review of Lorentz Transformations
4.2 Four-Vectors
4.3 Tensor Analysis
4.4 Covariance of Electromagnetic Phenomena
4.5 A Physical Understanding of Field Transformations
4.6 Fields of a Uniformly Moving Charge
4.7 Relativistic Mechanics and the Lorentz Four-Force
4.8 Emission from Relativistic Particles
4.9 Invariant Phase Volumes and Specific Intensity
PROBLEMS
CHAPTER 5 BREMSSTRAHLUNG
5.1 Emission from Single-Speed Electrons
5.2 Thermal Bremsstrahlung Emission
5.3 Thermal Bremsstrahlung (Free-Free) Absorption
5.4 Relativistic Bremsstrahlung
PROBLEMS
CHAPTER 6 SYNCHROTRON RADIAT
6.1 Total Emitted Power
6.2 Spectrum of Synchrotron Radiation: A Qualitative Discussion
6.3 Spectral Index for Power-Law Electron Distribution
6.4 Spectrum and Polarization of Synchrotron Radiation: A Detailed Discussion
6.5 Polarization of Synchrotron Radiation
6.6 Transition from Cyclotron to Synchrotron Emission
6.7 Distinction between Received and Emitted Power
6.8 Synchrotron Self-Absorption
6.9 The Impossibility of a Synchrotron Maser in Vacuum
PROBLEMS
CHAPTER 7 COMPTON SCATTERING
7.1 Cross Section and Energy Transfer for the Fundamental Process
7.2 Inverse Compton Power for Single Scattering
7.3 Inverse Compton Spectra for Single Scattering
7.4 Energy Transfer for Repeated Scatterings in a Finite, Thermal Medium: The Compton Y Parameter
7.5 Inverse Compton Spectra and Power for Repeated Scatterings by Relativistic Electrons of Small Optical Depth
7.6 Repeated Scatterings by Nonrelativistic Electrons: The Kompaneets Equation
7.7 Spectral Regimes for Repeated Scattering by Nonrelativistic Electrons
PROBLEMS
CHAPTER 8 PLASMA EFFECTS
8.1 Dispersion in Cold, Isotropic Plasma
8.2 Propagation Along a Magnetic Field;
Faraday Rotation
8.3 Plasma Effects in High-Energy Emission
PROBLEMS 236
CHAPTER 9 ATOMIC STRUCTURE
9.1 A Review of the Schrodinger Equation
9.2 One Electron in a Central Field
9.3 Many-Electron Systems
9.4 Perturbations, Level Splittings, and Term Diagrams
9.5 Thermal Distribution of Energy Levels and Ionization
PROBLEMS
CHAPTER 10 RADIATIVE TRANSITIONS
10.1 Semi-Classical Theory of Radiative Transitions
10.2 The Dipole Approximation
10.3 Einstein Coefficients and Oscillator Strengths
10.4 Selection Rules
10.5 Transition Rates
10.6 Line Broadening Mechanisms
PROBLEMS
CHAPTER 11 MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
11.1 The Born-Oppenheimer Approximation: An Order
11.2 Electronic Binding of Nuclei
11.3 Pure Rotation Spectra
11.4 Rotation-Vibration Spectra
11.5 Electronic-Rotational-Vibrational Spectra
PROBLEMS
SOLUTIONS
Appendix A: Review of Quantum Mechanics
Appendix B: Review of Statistical Mechanics
