An Introduction to Radiative Transfer
Cambridge University Press, 11/15/2001
EAN 9780521770019, ISBN10: 0521770017
Hardcover, 492 pages, 24.7 x 17.4 x 3.1 cm
Astrophysicists have developed several very different methodologies for solving the radiative transfer equation. An Introduction to Radiative Transfer presents these techniques as applied to stellar atmospheres, planetary nebulae, supernovae, and other objects with similar geometrical and physical conditions. Accurate methods, fast methods, probabilistic methods and approximate methods are all explained, including the latest and most advanced techniques. The book includes the different techniques used for computing line profiles, polarization due to resonance line scattering, polarization in magnetic media and similar phenomena. Exercises at the end of each chapter enable these methods to be put into practice, and enhance understanding of the subject. This 2001 book will be valuable to graduates, postgraduates and researchers in astrophysics.
Preface
1. Definitions of fundamental quantities of the radiation field
2. The equation of radiative transfer
3. Methods of solution of transfer equation
4. Two-point boundary problems
5. Principle of Invariance
6. Discrete space theory
7. Transfer equation in moving media
the observer frame
8. Radiative transfer equation in the comoving frame
9. Escape probability methods
10. Operator perturbation methods
11. Polarization
12. Polarization in magnetic media
13. Multi-dimensional radiative transfer.
'In the second half of the last century, a series of excellent books on radiative transport have been written ... In spite of these works, there existed a need for a comprehensive text book covering basic principles of radiative transport theory and giving an overview of different methods of solving the radiative transport equations. The above comprehensive and authoritative book has substantially filled these gaps. The above work represents a very good overview of exact, approximate and statistical (probabilistic) methods - both conventional and modern - for solving the radiative transport equations.' M. S. Ramachandra, Sterne and Weltruum