This book provides an exhaustive account of the origin and dynamics of cosmic rays. Divided into three parts, it first gives an up-to-date summary of the observational data, then -- in the following theory section -- deals with the kinetic description of cosmic ray plasma. The underlying diffusion-convection transport equation, which governs the coupling between cosmic rays and the background plasma, is derived and analyzed in detail. In the third part, several applications of the solutions of the transport equation are presented and how key observations in cosmic ray physics can be accounted for is demonstrated. The applications include cosmic ray modulation, acceleration near shock waves and the galactic propagation of cosmic rays. While the book is primarily of interest to scientists working at the forefront of research, the very careful derivations and explanations make it suitable also as an introduction to the field of cosmic rays for graduate students.

Klappentext

In the first part, the book gives an up-to-date summary of the observational data. In the second part, it deals with the kinetic description of cosmic ray plasma. The underlying diffusion-convection transport equation, which governs the coupling between cosmic rays and the background plasma, is derived and analyzed in detail. In the third part, several applications of the solutions of the transport equation are presented and how key observations in cosmic ray physics can be accounted for is demonstrated.

Inhalt

1. Introduction.- 2. Cosmic Rays as Part of the Universe.- 3. Direct Observations of Cosmic Rays.- 4. Interactions of Cosmic Ray Electrons.- 5. Interactions of Cosmic Ray Nuclei.- 6. Indirect Observations of Cosmic Rays.- 7. Immediate Consequences of Galactic Cosmic Ray Observations.- 8. Statistical Mechanics of Charged Particles.- 9. Test Wave Approach 1. Waves in Cold Magnetized Plasmas.- 10. Test Wave Approach 2. Waves in Hot Magnetized Isotropic Plasmas.- 11. Test Wave Approach 3. Generation of Plasma Waves.- 12. Test Particle Approach 1. Hierarchy of Transport Equations.- 13. Test Particle Approach 2. Calculation of Transport Parameters.- 14. Acceleration and Transport Processes of Cosmic Rays.- 15. Interplanetary Transport of Cosmic Ray Particles.- 16. Acceleration of Cosmic Ray Particles at Shock Waves.- 17. Galactic Cosmic Rays.- 18. Formation of Cosmic Ray Momentum Spectra.- 19. Summary and Outlook.- Append.- A. Radiation Transport.- B. Conductivity Tensor in a Hot Magnetized Plasma.- B.1 The General Case.- B.2 Isotropic Distribution Functions.- C. Calculation of the Integral (10.3.10).- References.- Illustration Credits.