Ebook: Polarization in Spectral Lines
- Tags: Astronomy, Astrophysics, Atomic and Molecular Structure and Spectra, Quantum Physics
- Series: Astrophysics and Space Science Library 307
- Year: 2005
- Publisher: Springer Netherlands
- Edition: 1
- Language: English
- pdf
The scientific research based on spectropolarimetric techniques is undergoing a phase of rapid growth. Instruments of unprecedented sensitivity are nowadays available, particularly for solar observations. To fully exploit the rich diagnostic content of such observations, it is necessary to understand the physical mechanisms involved in the generation and transfer of polarized radiation in astrophysical (or laboratory) plasmas.
After an introductory part based on classical physics, this book tackles the subject by a rigorous quantum-mechanical approach. The transfer equations for polarized radiation and the statistical equilibrium equations for the atomic density matrix are derived directly from the principles of Quantum Electrodynamics. The two sets of equations are then used to present a number of applications, mainly concerning the diagnostics of solar magnetic fields.
This book is primarily addressed to scientists working in the field of spectropolarimetry. It may also serve as a textbook for a course at the graduate or advanced undergraduate level.
The scientific research based on spectropolarimetric techniques is undergoing a phase of rapid growth. Instruments of unprecedented sensitivity are nowadays available, particularly for solar observations. To fully exploit the rich diagnostic content of such observations, it is necessary to understand the physical mechanisms involved in the generation and transfer of polarized radiation in astrophysical (or laboratory) plasmas.
After an introductory part based on classical physics, this book tackles the subject by a rigorous quantum-mechanical approach. The transfer equations for polarized radiation and the statistical equilibrium equations for the atomic density matrix are derived directly from the principles of Quantum Electrodynamics. The two sets of equations are then used to present a number of applications, mainly concerning the diagnostics of solar magnetic fields.
This book is primarily addressed to scientists working in the field of spectropolarimetry. It may also serve as a textbook for a course at the graduate or advanced undergraduate level.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xvii
Description of Polarized Radiation....Pages 1-28
Angular Momentum and Racah Algebra....Pages 29-72
Atomic Spectroscopy....Pages 73-130
Quantization of the Electromagnetic Field (Non-Relativistic Theory)....Pages 131-145
Interaction of Material Systems with Polarized Radiation (the Classical Approach)....Pages 147-235
Interaction of Material Systems with Polarized Radiation (the Quantum Approach)....Pages 237-275
Statistical Equilibrium Equations and Radiative Transfer Coefficients for Atomic Systems....Pages 277-347
Radiative Transfer for Polarized Radiation....Pages 349-373
Line Formation in a Magnetic Field....Pages 375-507
Non-Equilibrium Atomic Physics....Pages 509-623
Astrophysical Applications: Solar Magnetometry....Pages 625-662
Astrophysical Applications: Radiation Anisotropy in Stellar Atmospheres....Pages 663-687
Astrophysical Applications: the Outer Layers of Stellar Atmospheres....Pages 689-735
Astrophysical Applications: Stellar Atmospheres....Pages 737-789
Back Matter....Pages 791-896
The scientific research based on spectropolarimetric techniques is undergoing a phase of rapid growth. Instruments of unprecedented sensitivity are nowadays available, particularly for solar observations. To fully exploit the rich diagnostic content of such observations, it is necessary to understand the physical mechanisms involved in the generation and transfer of polarized radiation in astrophysical (or laboratory) plasmas.
After an introductory part based on classical physics, this book tackles the subject by a rigorous quantum-mechanical approach. The transfer equations for polarized radiation and the statistical equilibrium equations for the atomic density matrix are derived directly from the principles of Quantum Electrodynamics. The two sets of equations are then used to present a number of applications, mainly concerning the diagnostics of solar magnetic fields.
This book is primarily addressed to scientists working in the field of spectropolarimetry. It may also serve as a textbook for a course at the graduate or advanced undergraduate level.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xvii
Description of Polarized Radiation....Pages 1-28
Angular Momentum and Racah Algebra....Pages 29-72
Atomic Spectroscopy....Pages 73-130
Quantization of the Electromagnetic Field (Non-Relativistic Theory)....Pages 131-145
Interaction of Material Systems with Polarized Radiation (the Classical Approach)....Pages 147-235
Interaction of Material Systems with Polarized Radiation (the Quantum Approach)....Pages 237-275
Statistical Equilibrium Equations and Radiative Transfer Coefficients for Atomic Systems....Pages 277-347
Radiative Transfer for Polarized Radiation....Pages 349-373
Line Formation in a Magnetic Field....Pages 375-507
Non-Equilibrium Atomic Physics....Pages 509-623
Astrophysical Applications: Solar Magnetometry....Pages 625-662
Astrophysical Applications: Radiation Anisotropy in Stellar Atmospheres....Pages 663-687
Astrophysical Applications: the Outer Layers of Stellar Atmospheres....Pages 689-735
Astrophysical Applications: Stellar Atmospheres....Pages 737-789
Back Matter....Pages 791-896
....