Relativistic Kinetic Theory
With Applications in Astrophysics and Cosmology

This book presents fundamentals, equations, and methods of solutions of relativistic kinetic theory, with applications in astrophysics and cosmology.

Gregory V. Vereshchagin (Author), Alexey G. Aksenov (Author)

9781107048225, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 16 February 2017

334 pages, 54 b/w illus.
26.2 x 18.4 x 2.4 cm, 0.8 kg

Relativistic kinetic theory has widespread application in astrophysics and cosmology. The interest has grown in recent years as experimentalists are now able to make reliable measurements on physical systems where relativistic effects are no longer negligible. This ambitious monograph is divided into three parts. It presents the basic ideas and concepts of this theory, equations and methods, including derivation of kinetic equations from the relativistic BBGKY hierarchy and discussion of the relation between kinetic and hydrodynamic levels of description. The second part introduces elements of computational physics with special emphasis on numerical integration of Boltzmann equations and related approaches, as well as multi-component hydrodynamics. The third part presents an overview of applications ranging from covariant theory of plasma response, thermalization of relativistic plasma, comptonization in static and moving media to kinetics of self-gravitating systems, cosmological structure formation and neutrino emission during the gravitational collapse.

Preface
Acknowledgements
Acronyms and definitions
Introduction
Part I. Theoretical Foundations: 1. Basic concepts
2. Kinetic equation
3. Averaging
4. Conservation laws and equilibrium
5. Relativistic BBGKY hierarchy
6. Basic parameters in gases and plasmas
Part II. Numerical Methods: 7. The basics of computational physics
8. Direct integration of Boltzmann equations
9. Multidimensional hydrodynamics
Part III. Applications: 10. Wave dispersion in relativistic plasma
11. Thermalization in relativistic plasma
12. Kinetics of particles in strong fields
13. Compton scattering in astrophysics and cosmology
14. Self-gravitating systems
15. Neutrinos, gravitational collapse and supernovae
Appendices
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Atmospheric physics [PHVJ], Astrophysics [PHVB], Physics [PH], Cosmology & the universe [PGK]