The field of quantum plasmas has a long and diverse tradition and is becoming of increasing current interest, motivated by applications to micro-electronics and to focused high-power lasers. In this book, plasma kinetic theory is developed in a covariant (4-tensor) notation, which facilitates generalizations to include all relativistic and electromagnetic effects. Relativistic quantum effects are included by using quantum electrodynamics (QED) to calculate the plasma response 4-tenors. The effects of the plasma are included in QED by replacing the photon propagator in vacuo by that in the medium, such that the poles of this propagator correspond to the natural wave modes of the medium.

Autorentext

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.

Klappentext

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.

Inhalt

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.