Radiative Transfer: An Introduction to Exact and Asymptotic Methods

This book discusses analytic and asymptotic methods for radiative transfer in dilute media, including stellar and planetary atmospheres. It provides exact expressions for the radiation field and applies them to unpolarized and polarized continuous spectra and spectral lines. Asymptotic analyses are conducted on unpolarized and polarized radiative transfer equations and a discrete time random walk, distinguishing between large-scale diffusive and non-diffusive behaviors and providing criteria for thermalization length and specific descriptions for regions close and far from boundaries.

Format: Hardback
Length: 593 pages
Publication date: 27 May 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This comprehensive book delves into the realm of analytic and asymptotic methods, which hold immense significance in the study of radiative transfer in dilute media, encompassing stellar and planetary atmospheres. It presents a detailed account of various techniques, offering precise expressions for the radiation field within semi-infinite atmospheres. These methods are applied to both unpolarized and polarized continuous spectra and spectral lines, providing valuable insights into diverse fields such as solid mechanics, diffraction theory, and mathematical finance.

One of the notable methods discussed in the book is the Wiener-Hopf method, which was introduced in 1931 for solving stellar atmospheric problems. Today, this method finds widespread applications in diverse fields, including solid mechanics, diffraction theory, and mathematical finance. Asymptotic analyses are conducted on unpolarized and polarized radiative transfer equations, as well as on a discrete time random walk. These analyses are particularly valuable when photons undergo extensive scattering, offering criteria to distinguish between large-scale diffusive and non-diffusive behaviors, typical scales of variation in the radiation field, such as the thermalization length, and specific descriptions for regions near and far from boundaries.

The book's well-organized and synthetic approach to exact and asymptotic methods of radiative transfer makes it an invaluable resource for both graduate students and professional scientists in the fields of astrophysics and beyond. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the underlying principles and applications, enabling researchers to tackle complex radiative transfer problems with precision and efficiency. By presenting a comprehensive overview of these methods, the book fosters a deeper appreciation for the intricate dynamics of radiation in diverse environments and contributes to the advancement of our knowledge in this critical area of physics.

Weight: 1099g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030952464
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022