Quantum Plasmadynamics: Unmagnetized Plasmas

by Donald Melrose

Overview

The field of quantum plasmas has a long and diverse tradition. The subject is becoming of increasing interest. This book synthesizes two fields: classical kinetic theory of collisionless plasmas and quantum electrodynamics. The whole approach is new and not seen in other texts. The book therefore provides a comprehensive introduction to a more general formalism for plasma kinetic and dispersion theory.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781441925381
Publisher:	Springer New York
Publication date:	11/19/2010
Series:	Lecture Notes in Physics , #735
Edition description:	Softcover reprint of hardcover 1st ed. 2008
Pages:	464
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.04(d)

About the Author

Following completion of his doctoral thesis, in theoretical particle physics at Oxford University in 1965, Don Melrose changed his research interests to plasma astrophysics. After post-doctoral appointments in the UK and the USA he returned to Australia in 1969, to the Australian National University until he took up his current appointment as Professor of Physics (Theoretical) at the University of Sydney in 1979. He made important contributions to the theory of coherent emission processes in astrophysics: plasma emission in solar radio bursts, electron cyclotron maser emission and pulsar radio emission. His current interests include pulsars, quantum plasmas and solar flares.

Table of Contents

Response 4-tensors.- Covariant theory of wave dispersion.- Particle and wave subsystems.- Dispersion in relativistic plasmas.- Classical plasmadynamics.- Quantum field theory.- QPD processes.- Responses of a quantum plasma.- Isotropic quantum plasmas.- Spin, MMR and neutrino plasma.

Editorial Reviews

From the reviews:

"The ten chapters and 464 pages book is one of Lecture Notes Series of Monographs on Physics and gives the best introduction to the quantum electrodynamics and the kinetic theory relativistic and non-relativistic charged particles. The author of the book is focusing on interactions between charged particles and the electromagnetic field. … Materials of the most important part of the book are supported by illustrations. … useful for advanced graduate students, scientists and all who are interesting on the plasma physics and the confinement systems." (M. J. Canfell, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1158, 2009)

“Melrose’s addition to the Lecture Notes in Physics series provides an introduction to both QED and the kinetic theory of charged particles, while detailing the synthesis of these fields into the modern subject of quantum plasmadynamics (QPD). … this first volume of the collection focuses only on unmagnetized plasmas. … this book may be useful for advanced graduate students and working scientists interested in the dynamics and behavior of quantum plasmas.” (Stephen D. Pankavich, Mathematical Reviews, Issue 2012 a)

From the Publisher