- ISBN-10:
- 0691124442
- ISBN-13:
- 9780691124445
- Pub. Date:
- 12/11/2005
- Publisher:
- Princeton University Press
- ISBN-10:
- 0691124442
- ISBN-13:
- 9780691124445
- Pub. Date:
- 12/11/2005
- Publisher:
- Princeton University Press
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Overview
The first chapter reviews some basic principles that are the underpinnings for a general description of electromagnetic phenomena, such as special relativity and, especially, relativistic covariance. Classical and quantum electrodynamics (QED) are then formulated in the next two chapters, followed by applications to three basic processes (Coulomb scattering, Compton scattering, and bremsstrahlung). These processes are related to other phenomena, such as pair production, and the comparisons are discussed.
A unique feature of the book is its thorough discussion of the nonrelativistic limit of QED, which is simpler than the relativistic theory in its formulation and applications. The methods of the relativistic theory are introduced and applied through the use of notions of covariance, to provide a shorter path to the more general theory. The book will be useful for graduate students working in astrophysics and in certain areas of particle physics.
Product Details
ISBN-13: | 9780691124445 |
---|---|
Publisher: | Princeton University Press |
Publication date: | 12/11/2005 |
Series: | Princeton Series in Astrophysics , #11 |
Edition description: | New Edition |
Pages: | 312 |
Product dimensions: | 6.00(w) x 9.25(h) x (d) |
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Electromagnetic Processes
Chapter One
Some Fundamental Principles
1.1 UNITS AND CHARACTERISTIC LENGTHS, TIMES, ENERGIES, ETC.
In the measurement of quantities by laboratory instruments, both the c.g.s. and m.k.s. units are convenient. However, for the description of particle and atomic processes, the c.g.s. system is preferable in that equations and formulas are sometimes simpler in form; for this reason, the c.g.s. system will be employed throughout this book. At the same time, it is often useful to express quantities in dimensionless units in terms of certain "fundamental" values defined in terms of the fundamental physical constants. Different fundamental quantities-for example, a characteristic length-can be formed from different combinations of physical constants, and the particular choice appropriate for the description of some process is dictated by the nature of the process.
Concerning the physical constants themselves, the most fundamental one is perhaps the "velocity of light" (c). The constant is of more general significance than the name given to it, since it is the characteristic parameter of spacetime, and its value is relevant to all dynamical processes in physics. Our fundamental theory of spacetime is special relativity, and we shallreview certain basic features of the theory in the following section. Considerations of some general consequences of special relativity are extremely powerful, in particular, as a guide in formulating the fundamental equations of physics.
After c, the most fundamental physical constant is probably Planck's constant ([??]). Loosely put, this constant might be designated as a "quantization parameter," but this is probably not a good description. Another try at description might be to call it the "fundamental indeterminacy parameter," but it is questionable whether the "uncertainty relations" deserve the title of principle, since they follow from the superposition principle (which really is a principle). Given that discrete particle motion is to be described in terms of an associated wave or propagation vector k and frequency [omega], Planck's constant is then the proportionality factor between k and the particle momentum:
p = [??]k. (1.1)
The uncertainty relations for an individual particle follow from this relation and the superposition principle. If momentum is to be regarded as a particle dynamical property and the wave propagation vector a kinematical variable, we might designate [??] more descriptively as a parameter of particle dynamics. However, we shall, as usual, refer to [??] simply as Planck's constant like everyone else.
The third most fundamental physical constant may be the "electronic charge" (e), since it seems to be a fundamental unit common to the various charged elementary particles. That is, although there is a spectrum of masses for the particles, except for the fractionally charged "quarks," the particle charges are multiples of e.
From the three physical constants c, [??], and e, it is not possible to construct a fundamental length by various combinations of products. From e and [??] it is possible to form a characteristic velocity [[upsilon].sub.0] = [e.sup.2]/[??], (1.2)
and this velocity is of significance for particle processes. Combining the fundamental physical constants, a dimensionless number [alpha] = [e.sup.2]/[??]c [approximately equal to] 1/137 (1.3)
can be formed that is of great importance, especially for electromagnetic processes. This number is called the "fine structure constant" because of its role in determining the magnitude of the small relativistic level shifts in atomic hydrogen; it can also be regarded as a dimensionless coupling constant for electromagnetic processes. Because of its small value, these processes can be calculated well by perturbation theory.
The masses of the various elementary particles play a major role in particle processes. The electron (and positron) mass (m), being the smallest of all, is of great importance because the particle is easily perturbed by an electromagnetic field. In particular, a variety of radiative (photon-producing) processes are associated with the electron and its interactions. A description of these processes is the principal task of this book. Almost all of our knowledge about the world outside our solar system comes from the analysis of the spectral distribution of radiation from distant sources. Our understanding of the details of the microscopic photon-producing processes allows us to interpret these source spectra and learn something of the nature of the sources. Fortunately, the electromagnetic processes are very well understood, and they can be calculated to high accuracy by perturbation theory.
The nucleon mass (M)-say, the mass of the proton, which is stable-is significant in that it is much larger (about 1836m) than that of the electron. Along with their corresponding antiparticles, the electron and proton are the only stable "particles." In fact, there is now good evidence, from inelastic scattering of very high energy electrons off protons, that the latter are not "elementary" or "fundamental" particles. Instead, protons are thought to be composites, built from quarks, and they have, as a consequence, structure. For example, protons have a characteristic size and charge distribution that can be measured. Pions (and also kaons) are also quark composites, and the pion is especially important as the least massive of the strongly interacting species. In the older theory of strong interactions, the pion was treated as a fundamental particle and its mass ([m.sub.[pi]]) determined the characteristic range of the interaction. These ideas are still useful in understanding certain particle and nuclear processes.
The masses of the elementary particles determine the various fundamental or characteristic lengths, all of which are inversely proportional to the mass value. There are different kinds of lengths, each having a different physical meaning and playing a different role in determining the characteristic magnitude of importance of various processes. Along with [??] and e, the electron mass determines the characteristic atomic size [a.sub.0] = [[??].sup.2]/m[e.sup.2]. (1.4)
This is the Bohr radius, and it is one of the triumphs of quantum mechanics that the atomic radius (~ [a.sub.0] ~ [10.sup.-8] cm) is explained by physical principles. Classical physics had no explanation for the characteristic size of atoms as determined in the last century. The basic physical meaning of the characteristic length [a.sub.0] can be indicated through considerations of atomic binding. The classical total energy of an electron of momentum p in the neighborhood of a proton is
[E.sub.cl] = [p.sup.2]/2m - [e.sup.2]/r. (1.5)
In a quantum-mechanical description, the spectra of position and momentum values are such that there is a spread in each, determined by the uncertainty relation. Setting pr ~ [??] as a constraint condition added to Equation (1.5), we see that [E.sub.cl] is minimized at a value
[([E.sub.cl]).sub.min] ~ -[e.sup.2]/2[a.sub.0] [equivalent to] -Ry (1.6)
for the r-value
[r.sub.min] ~ [a.sub.0]. (1.7) This little analysis shows, very simply, why atoms have a ground state or state of minimum energy. In a classical model with [??] [right arrow] 0 the electron "orbit" size could be infinitesimally small and the energy would be infinitely negative.
A characteristic length that does not involve is the "classical electron radius" [r.sub.0]. If the electron mass is attributed to its electrostatic self-energy (~ [e.sup.2]/[r.sub.0] ~ m[c.sup.2]), the result is
[r.sub.0] = [e.sup.2]/m[c.sup.2]. (1.8)
This is a very small distance (~ 3 x [10.sup.-13] cm), and the quantity really has no physical meaning, because the classical self-energy considerations are not valid. However, the combination [e.sup.2]/m[c.sup.2] appears often to various powers in expressions for parameters for electromagnetic quantities. Thus, it is still designated [r.sub.0] and called by its original name. The erroneous nature of the classical model for electromagnetic self-energy is clear through considerations that introduce another characteristic length. If we attempt to localize an electron to a very small distance, of necessity we introduce a spectrum of momentum states extending to high values. For p ~ mc, the energy values become large enough to produce [e.sup.[+ or -]] pairs, which affect and limit the localization. The uncertainty relation then suggests a minimum localization distance [r.sub.loc] ~ [??]/mc [equivalent to] [LAMBDA]. (1.9)
Again for historical reasons, the quantity [LAMBDA] is called the electron Compton wavelength. It appears often as a factor in formulas for cross sections for electromagnetic processes and, in general, in many equations describing phenomena involving electrons.
The three lengths [a.sub.0], [r.sub.0], and [LAMBDA] are related through a linear equation with the fine-structure constant as a proportionality factor:
[r.sub.0] = [alpha][LAMBDA] = [[alpha].sup.2] [a.sub.0]. (1.10)
Although the three lengths are connected by means of the factor [alpha], only [a.sub.0] and [LAMBDA] have a useful physical meaning, and most formulas given throughout this work will not be expressed in terms of [r.sub.0].
It might be noted that each of the lengths [a.sub.0], [LAMBDA], and [r.sub.0] is inversely proportional to the electron mass. For some problems it is convenient to consider corresponding lengths involving masses of other particles. While [a.sub.0] determines the characteristic (electron) atomic unit of length, and [E.sub.0] = [e.sup.2]/[a.sub.0](= 2Ry) the atomic unit of energy, the electron mass can be replaced by the nucleon (proton) mass M to introduce a "nucleon atomic unit" of distance
[a.sub.M] = (m/M)[a.sub.0] (1.11)
and a characteristic "nucleon Rydberg energy"
[Ry.sub.M] = (M/m)Ry. (1.12)
These units are convenient, for example, in the treatment of proton-proton scattering; in that problem, in which the nuclear and Coulomb forces contribute, the Coulomb force plays the major role (except at very high energy).
Another important characteristic distance is the particle Compton wavelength associated with the least massive of the strongly interacting particles (i.e., the pion). The quantity [[LAMBDA].sub.[pi]] = [??]/[m.sub.[pi]]c (1.13)
determines the range of the strong interaction and the magnitude of characteristic cross sections associated purely with this interaction. The cross section is
[[sigma].sub.s] ~ [[LAMBDA].sup.2.sub.[pi]] 20 mb, (1.14)
where 1 mb = [10.sup.-3] b, the barn (b), defined as [10.sup.-24][cm.sup.2], being a cross section unit common in nuclear and strong-interaction physics (1 barn is a large cross section for nuclear processes: "as big as a barn").
The choice of units for the description of some particular phenomenon is dictated not just by considerations of characteristic numerical values of relevant quantities. Depending on the type of units chosen, the equations describing a process take on slightly different form. When formulated in terms of the "most natural" units, the equations are more transparent in exhibiting the nature of the physics involved. In problems of atomic structure or in the description of the scattering of non-relativistic electrons by atomic systems or by a pure Coulomb field, the so-called atomic or "hartree" units are natural. In these units e, [??], and m are each set equal to unity, and lengths are in units of the Bohr radius [a.sub.0], cross sections are in units of [a.sup.2.sub.0], and energies are in units of [e.sub.2]/[a.sub.0] = 2Ry. The atomic units are, however, not as convenient in problems involving relativistic particles; then the more useful choice is [??] = c = 1 for which [e.sup.2] = [alpha] is fixed by the dimensionless fine-structure constant [Equation (1.3)]. These units are particularly useful in describing electromagnetic phenomena. Further, if the process involves electrons or positrons, the rest energy m([c.sup.2]) is a natural characteristic energy. Throughout this book, certain important results will often be expressed in forms that exhibit dimensions clearly by collecting products of factors that are dimensionless ratios. For example, if a cross section for some electromagnetic process at energy E is expressed in terms of a factor [[LAMBDA].sup.2],a function of E/[mc.sup.2], and a factor [[alpha].sup.n], we immediately identify n as the "order" of the process. Higher order electromagnetic processes have cross sections down by powers of [alpha]. Equations expressed in this manner are preferable to those in which numerical values of physical constants are substituted in.
1.2 RELATIVISTIC COVARIANCE AND RELATIVISTIC INVARIANTS
Ideas of covariance are extremely powerful as a guide in formulating basic physical laws and in the derivation of results in mathematical descriptions of certain physical processes. Considerations of covariance can even provide a path to the discovery of new fundamental laws and then to the development of these new areas of physics. In the description of physical processes, it is often possible to simplify derivations by imposing conditions of relativistic covariance as a trick to arrive at formulas of general validity. We shall often make use of this kind of device.
1.2.1 Spacetime Transformation
The basic laws of physics are generally expressed as differential equations with space and time coordinates as independent variables. The spacetime coordinates refer, in some cases, to "events" such as the position (or possible position) of a particle or of a particle process. Further, the properties of spacetime are described in terms of its "structure" or its transformation properties, and this is the theory of special relativity. For spacetime reference frames K and K' whose spatial coordinate axes are moving with constant relative velocity, the relationship between the coordinates of events in the two frames is the Lorentz transformation
[x'.sub.µ] = [summation over ([v])[a.sub.µv][X].sub.v]. (1.15) Here, [x.sub.v], with v = 0, 1, 2, 3, represents the time (v = 0) and space (v = 1, 2, 3) coordinates. Because of the fundamental isotropy of space, it is convenient to choose Cartesian coordinates ([x.sub.1], [x.sub.2], [x.sub.3] = x, y, z) for the spatial coordinate description. These are thus "natural" or "preferred" coordinates for formulating the basic equations of physics. It is, in one sense, convenient to choose an imaginary component [x.sub.0] = ict for the time variable. This is because the fundamental property of space-time can then be described by, in addition to the property (1.15), the equation
[MATHEMATICAL EXPRESSION NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII.], (1.16)
in which d[x.sub.µ] are the differential coordinate separations between two spacetime events.
Because of the choice of an imaginary time component, it has not been necessary to introduce a "metric" or metric tensor. The spacetime is essentially four-dimensional cartesian, and the metric tensor ([g.sub.µv]) is identical to the Kronecker [delta]-function [MATHEMATICAL EXPRESSION NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII.]. (1.17)
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Electromagnetic Processes by Robert J. Gould Copyright © 2005 by Princeton University Press. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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Table of Contents
Preface ix
Chapter 1. Some Fundamental Principles1.1 Units and Characteristic Lengths, Times, Energies, Etc. 1.2 Relativistic Covariance and Relativistic Invariants 51.2.1 Spacetime Transformation 51.2.2 Other Four-Vectors and Tensors-Covariance 81.2.3 Some Useful and Important Invariants 101.2.4 Covariant Mechanics and Electrodynamics 131.3 Kinematic Effects 151.3.1 Threshold Energies in Non-Relativistic and Relativistic Processes 151.3.2 Transformations of Angular Distributions 171.4 Binary Collision Rates 181.5 Phase-Space Factors 211.5.1 Introduction 211.5.2 Simple Examples 231.5.3 General Theorems-Formulation 261.5.4 General Formulas-Evaluation of Multiple Integrals 281.5.5 One-Particle Distributions 321.5.6 Invariant Phase Space 34
Chapter 2. Classical Electrodynamics 372.1 Retarded Potentials 372.1.1 Fields, Potentials, and Gauges 372.1.2 Retarded Potentials in the Lorentz Gauge 392.2 Multipole Expansion of the Radiation Field 412.2.1 Vector Potential and Retardation Expansion 412.2.2 Multipole Radiated Power 432.3 Fourier Spectra 462.4 Fields of a Charge in Relativistic Motion 492.4.1 Li nard-Wiechert Potentials 492.4.2 Charge in Uniform Motion 512.4.3 Fields of an Accelerated Charge 532.5 Radiation from a Relativistic Charge 542.6 Radiation Reaction 572.6.1 Non-Relativistic Limit 572.6.2 Relativistic Theory: Lorentz-Dirac Equation 602.7 Soft-Photon Emission 612.7.1 Multipole Formulation 612.7.2 Dipole Formula 622.7.3 Emission from Relativistic Particles 632.8 Weizs cker-Williams Method 652.8.1 Fields of a Moving Charge 662.8.2 Equivalent Photon Fluxes 682.9 Absorption and Stimulated Emission 702.9.1 Relation to Spontaneous Emission 712.9.2 General Multiphoton Formula 722.9.3 Stimulated Scattering 73
Chapter 3. Quantum Electrodynamics 753.1 Brief Historical Sketch 763.2 Relationship with Classical Electrodynamics 783.3 Non-Relativistic Formulation 803.3.1 Introductory Remarks 803.3.2 Classical Interaction Hamiltonian 803.3.3 Quantum-Mechanical Interaction Hamiltonian 833.3.4 Perturbation Theory 843.3.5 Processes, Vertices, and Diagrams 883.4 Relativistic Theory 943.4.1 Modifications of the Non-Covariant Formulation 943.4.2 Photon Interactions with Charges without Spin 973.4.3 Spin- 12Interactions 1033.4.4 Invariant Transition Rate 1073.5 Soft-Photon Emission 1093.5.1 Non-Relativistic Limit 1093.5.2 Emission from Spin Transitions 1133.5.3 Relativistic Particles without Spin 1163.5.4 Relativistic Spin- 12Particles 1193.6 Special Features of Electromagnetic Processes 1233.6.1 "Order" of a Process 1233.6.2 Radiative Corrections and Renormalization 1273.6.3 Kinematic Invariants 1303.6.4 Crossing Symmetry 132
Chapter 4. Elastic Scattering of Charged Particles 1354.1 Classical Coulomb Scattering 1354.1.1 Small-Angle Scattering 1354.1.2 General Case 1384.1.3 Two-Body Problem-Relative Motion 1394.1.4 Validity of the Classical Limit 1414.2 Non-Relativistic Born Approximation and Exact Treatment 1424.2.1 Perturbation-Theory Formulation 1424.2.2 Sketch of Exact Theory 1454.2.3 Two-Body Problem 1484.2.4 Scattering of Identical Particles 1504.2.5 Validity of the Born Approximation 1544.3 Scattering of Relativistic Particles of Zero Spin 1564.3.1 Coulomb Scattering 1564.3.2 Scattering of Two Distinguishable Charges 1584.3.3 Two Identical Charges 1624.3.4 Scattering of Charged Antiparticles 1634.4 Scattering of Relativistic Spin- 12Particles 1664.4.1 Spin Sums, Projection Operators, and Trace Theorems 1664.4.2 Coulomb Scattering 1704.4.3 M ller and Bhabha Scattering 171
Chapter 5. Compton Scattering 1775.1 Classical Limit 1775.1.1 Kinematics of the Scattering 1775.1.2 Derivation of the Thomson Cross Section 1785.1.3 Validity of the Classical Limit 1815.2 Quantum-Mechanical Derivation: Non-Relativistic Limit 1825.2.1 Interactions and Diagrams 1825.2.2 Calculation of the Cross Section 1845.3 Scattering by a Magnetic Moment 1865.4 Relativistic Spin-0 Case 1885.5 Relativistic Spin- 12Problem: Klein-Nishina Formula 1915.5.1 Formulation 1915.5.2 Evaluation of the Cross Section 1935.5.3 Invariant Forms 1945.5.4 Limiting Forms and Comparisons 1955.6 Relationship to Pair Annihilation and Production 1975.7 Double Compton Scattering 1995.7.1 Non-Relativistic Case. Soft-Photon Limit 1995.7.2 Non-Relativistic Case. Arbitrary Energy 2025.7.3 Extreme Relativistic Limit 207
Chapter 6. Bremsstrahlung 2116.1 Classical Limit 2116.1.1 Soft-Photon Limit 2116.1.2 General Case: Definition of the Gaunt Factor 2146.2 Non-Relativistic Born Limit 2176.2.1 General Formulation for Single-Particle Bremsstrahlung 2176.2.2 Coulomb (and Screened-Coulomb) Bremsstrahlung 2226.2.3 Born Correction: Sommerfeld-Elwert Factor 2236.2.4 Electron-Positron Bremsstrahlung 2266.3 Electron-Electron Bremsstrahlung. Non-Relativistic 2286.3.1 Direct Born Amplitude 2286.3.2 Photon-Emission Probability (without Exchange) 2326.3.3 Cross Section (with Exchange) 2346.4 Intermediate Energies 2366.4.1 General Result. Gaunt Factor 2366.4.2 Soft-Photon Limit 2396.5 Relativistic Coulomb Bremsstrahlung 2406.5.1 Spin-0 Problem 2416.5.2 Spin- 12: Bethe-Heitler Formula 2446.5.3 Relativistic Electron-Electron Bremsstrahlung 2486.5.4 Weizs cker-Williams Method 2516.6 Electron-Atom Bremsstrahlung 2546.6.1 Low Energies 2546.6.2 Born Limit-Non-Relativistic 2566.6.3 Intermediate Energies-Non-Relativistic 2576.6.4 Relativistic Energies-Formulation 2596.6.5 Relativistic Energies-Results and Discussion 264
Index 269
What People are Saying About This
Solid and rich in physics. A very useful book for anyone interested in the physics of astrophysics.
David Spergel, Princeton University
"A remarkable intellectual achievement Few books make such a valiant and successful effort to explain the physics of these processes. This book fills an important gap in the literature."—Malcolm Longair, Cambridge University"An excellent, well-written, and well-organized discourse that has a worthy place in the literature. It will provide a valuable graduate teaching and reference work for physicists and astrophysicists for years to come."—Matthew Baring, Rice University"Solid and rich in physics. A very useful book for anyone interested in the physics of astrophysics."—David Spergel, Princeton University"This is a clearly written and comprehensive book on electromagnetic processes by one of the leading experts in this area. The book covers both classical and quantum processes and discusses the relativistic and nonrelativistic limits. Both graduate students and researchers interested in the underlying processes by which radiation is produced will find Gould's book to be both easily understandable and extremely useful."—George Blumenthal, University of California, Santa Cruz"Electromagnetic Processes is a lucid exposition of the physics that is fundamental for much of modern physics. Since our entire observational understanding of the universe thus far relies on such processes, this book is a timely addition to the lexicon for astronomy and astrophysics, for which its clear exposition of Compton scattering in the relativistic limit, for example, provides a welcome addition to the literature. Gould has wisely chosen to use cgs units, which makes its applications and familiarity to the astrophysicist that much more direct. Gould writes in a clear and complete style, with interesting historical notes to complement and accent the derivations. This book fills the gap between Jackson and Rybicki and Lightman and will serve both reference and textbook needs."—Jonathan E. Grindlay, Robert Treat Paine Professor of Astronomy, Harvard University"Electromagnetic Processes fills an important niche in the spectrum of advanced texts on radiation processes for graduate students and professional astrophysicists. Gould provides a clear connection between classical and quantum treatments of basic processes like Compton scattering and bremsstrahlung, in both the non-relativistic and relativistic regimes. Standard texts generally provide a sketchy overview of the QED corrections, while books on QED itself are often difficult to weed through for the needed formulae. I highly recommend this book for those seeking a more complete overview of the basic physics of the interaction of radiation with charged particles."—Steven M. Kahn, Stanford University"Electromagnetic Processes succeeds brilliantly in providing a unified treatment of the foundations of classical and quantum electrodynamics with clarity and scholarship and highlighting the intellectual beauty of the subject. This is the book to which students and researchers will turn as they struggle to solve problems in the countless applications of electrodynamics."—Roger Blandford, Stanford University
Electromagnetic Processes succeeds brilliantly in providing a unified treatment of the foundations of classical and quantum electrodynamics with clarity and scholarship and highlighting the intellectual beauty of the subject. This is the book to which students and researchers will turn as they struggle to solve problems in the countless applications of electrodynamics.
Roger Blandford, Stanford University
An excellent, well-written, and well-organized discourse that has a worthy place in the literature. It will provide a valuable graduate teaching and reference work for physicists and astrophysicists for years to come.
Matthew Baring, Rice University
Electromagnetic Processes is a lucid exposition of the physics that is fundamental for much of modern physics. Since our entire observational understanding of the universe thus far relies on such processes, this book is a timely addition to the lexicon for astronomy and astrophysics, for which its clear exposition of Compton scattering in the relativistic limit, for example, provides a welcome addition to the literature. Gould has wisely chosen to use cgs units, which makes its applications and familiarity to the astrophysicist that much more direct. Gould writes in a clear and complete style, with interesting historical notes to complement and accent the derivations. This book fills the gap between Jackson and Rybicki and Lightman and will serve both reference and textbook needs.
Jonathan E. Grindlay, Robert Treat Paine Professor of Astronomy, Harvard University
Electromagnetic Processes fills an important niche in the spectrum of advanced texts on radiation processes for graduate students and professional astrophysicists. Gould provides a clear connection between classical and quantum treatments of basic processes like Compton scattering and bremsstrahlung, in both the non-relativistic and relativistic regimes. Standard texts generally provide a sketchy overview of the QED corrections, while books on QED itself are often difficult to weed through for the needed formulae. I highly recommend this book for those seeking a more complete overview of the basic physics of the interaction of radiation with charged particles.
Steven M. Kahn, Stanford University
A remarkable intellectual achievement Few books make such a valiant and successful effort to explain the physics of these processes. This book fills an important gap in the literature.
Malcolm Longair, Cambridge University
This is a clearly written and comprehensive book on electromagnetic processes by one of the leading experts in this area. The book covers both classical and quantum processes and discusses the relativistic and nonrelativistic limits. Both graduate students and researchers interested in the underlying processes by which radiation is produced will find Gould's book to be both easily understandable and extremely useful.
George Blumenthal, University of California, Santa Cruz