688 Pages 65 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    Tremendous technological developments and rapid progress in theory have opened a new area of modern physics called high-field electrodynamics: the systematic study of the interaction of relativistic electrons or positrons with ultrahigh-intensity, coherent electromagnetic radiation.

    This advanced undergraduate/graduate-level text provides a detailed introduction to high-field electrodynamics, from its fundamentals to some of its important modern applications. The author describes a broad collection of theoretical techniques, and where possible, approaches derivations by at least two different routes to yield deeper physical insight and a wider range of mathematical and physical techniques. He also discusses some of the outstanding ramifications of electrodynamics in areas ranging from quantum optics, squeezed states, and the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox to rotating black holes, non-Abelian gauge field theories, and the Bohm-Aharanov effect.

    High-Field Electrodynamics gives a comprehensive description of the theoretical tools needed to approach this novel discipline. It highlights important modern applications and serves as a starting point for more advanced and specialized research at the frontiers of modern physics.

    FOUNDATIONS
    Overview
    The Relativistic Intensity Regime
    The Schwinger Critical Field
    Maxwell's Equations
    Fields & Inductions, the Minkowski Formalism
    Potentials, Gauge Condition, & Wave Equation
    The Coulomb Potential & Plane Waves
    The Lorentz Transformation
    The Special Lorentz Transform
    Four-Vectors
    Addition of Velocities
    Four-Acceleration & Hyperbolic Motion
    Variation of the Mass with Velocity
    The Energy-Momentum 4-Vector
    Transformation of Forces
    Transformation of Energy
    Transformation of Angular Momentum
    Transformation of Length, Surface, Volume & Density
    Relativistic Plasma Frequency
    The General Lorentz Transform
    Thomas Precession
    Schwinger's Approach
    References
    Covariant Electrodynamics
    Four-Vectors & Tensors
    The Electromagnetic Field Tensor
    Covariant Form of the Maxwell-Lorentz Equations
    A Few Invariants, 4-Vectors, & Tensors Commonly Used
    Transformation of the Fields
    Electron & QED Units
    Covariant Electromagnetic Lagrangian & Hamiltonian
    Field 4-Momentum & Maxwell Stress Tensor
    Metric & Christoffel Symbols
    Solid in Rotation, Sagnac Effect
    Dual Tensors & Spinors, Dirac Equation
    Notes
    References
    Gauge Condition & Transform
    Lorentz Gauge
    Coulomb Gauge & Instantaneous Scalar Potential
    Other Gauge Conditions
    Charge Conservation
    Noether's Theorem
    Yang-Mills and Non-Abelian Gauge Fields
    Weyl's Theory
    Kaluza-Klein 5-Dimensional Space-Time
    Charged Black Holes, Quantum Gravity, & Inflation
    Superstrings and Dimensionality
    The Bohm-Aharanov Effect
    ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES
    Green & Delta Functions, Eigenmode Theory of Waveguides
    Introduction
    The Dirac Delta Function
    Fourier, Laplace, & Hankel Transforms
    Green Functions in Vacuum
    LiƩnard-Wiechert Potentials
    Green Functions with Boundary Conditions: Cylindrical Waveguide
    Point Charge in Rectilinear Motion in Vacuum
    Multipoles, Spherical Harmonics & the H Atom
    Group Velocity Dispersion, Higher-Order Effects, and Solitons
    Plane Waves & Photons
    Quantization of the Free Electromagnetic Field
    Creation & Annihilation Operators
    Energy and Number Spectra
    Momentum of the Quantized Field
    Angular Momentum of the Quantized Field
    Classical Spin of the Electromagnetic Field
    Photon Spin
    Vacuum Fluctuations
    The Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen Paradox
    Squeezed States
    Casimir Effect
    Reflection of Plane Waves in Rindler Space
    Relativistic Transform of the Refractive Index: Cerenkov Radiation
    Classical Theory of Cerenkov Radiation
    Fields and Inductions, Polarization and Nonlinear Susceptibilities
    Transform of Linear Refractive Index: Minkowski Formulation
    Anomalous Refractive Index & Cerenkov Effect
    Linear Isotropic Medium: Induced-Source Formalism
    Covariant treatment of Nonlinear Effects
    Three-Dimensional Waves in Vacuum, Ponderomotive Scattering, Vacuum Laser Acceleration
    Exact Solutions to the 3D Wave Equation in Vacuum
    The Paraxial Propagator
    Bessel Functions & Hankel's Integral Theorem
    Plane Wave Dynamics, Lawson-Woodward Theorem
    Ponderomotive Scattering
    Electron Dynamics in a Coherent Dipole Field
    Chirped-pulse Inverse Free-Electron Laser
    Free-Wave Acceleration by Stimulated Absorption of Radiation
    Plasma-Based Laser Acceleration Processes
    RELATIVISTIC ELECTRONS AND RADIATION
    Coherent Synchrotron Radiation, Relativistic Fluid Theory
    Coherent Synchrotron Radiation in Free-Space
    Coherent Synchrotron Radiation in a Waveguide
    Instantaneous Power Flow in the Waveguide
    Time-Dependent Chirped Wavepacket
    Propagation in Negative GVD Structure
    Relativistic Eulerian Fluid Perturbation Theory
    Compton Scattering, Coherence, and Radiation Reaction
    Classical Theory of Compton Scattering
    Electron Beam Phase Space
    Three-Dimensional Theory of Compton Scattering
    Stochastic Electron Gas Theory of Coherence
    Harmonics and Nonlinear Radiation Pressure
    Radiative Corrections: Overview
    Symmetrized Electrodynamics: Introduction
    Symmetrized Electrodynamics: Complex Notation
    Symmetrized Direct-Lorentz Equation
    Conceptual Difficulties: Electromagnetic Mass Renormalization, Runaways, Acausal Effects
    Schott Term
    Maxwell Stress Tensor
    Hamiltonian Formalism
    Symmetrized Electrodynamics in the Complex Charge Plane and the Running Fine Structure Constant
    Bibliography
    References
    Index
    Each chapter also contains Notes and References sections

    Biography

    Frederic V. Hartemann

    "This book is a complete guide to the understanding of how current photonics instrumentation works...Undoubtedly useful for biomedical engineers and physicians who need to have an essential reference that encompasses all areas of photonics."
    - Valentin Grimblatov, Ph.D., Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, in IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology, 1997