Overview

One of the most spectacular discoveries of molecular astronomy has been the detection of maser emission. The same radiation that is generated in the laboratory only with elaborate, special equipment occurs naturally in interstellar space. This intense radiation probes the smallest structures that can be studied with radio telescopes. By a fortunate coincidence maser radiation is generated in both star forming regions and the enveloped of late-type stars. The early and late stages in the life of a star are considered to be the most interesting phases of stellar evolution. Maser emission has also been detected in external galaxies. This book provides an extensive coverage of the interstellar maser phenomenon. A precondition for maser action is departure from thermal equilibrium. The book therefore starts with a detailed coverage of the basic background concepts required for an understanding of line formation and radiative transfer. It goes on to describe the theoretical and phenomenological aspects of interstellar masers, their formation sites and the inversion mechanisms. The book should interest active researchers in astronomy and astrophysics as well as other areas of physics. It is designed to be suitable as a textbook in a graduate course and aims to enable a graduate student to embark on research projects in this area in particular, and molecular radio astronomy in general.

Full Product Details

Author:   M Elitzur
Publisher:   Springer
Imprint:   Springer
Edition:   Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1992
Volume:   170
Dimensions:   Width: 15.50cm , Height: 1.90cm , Length: 23.50cm
Weight:   1.140kg
ISBN:  

9780792312178

ISBN 10:   0792312171
Pages:   351
Publication Date:   29 February 1992
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Out of print, replaced by POD  
We will order this item for you from a manufatured on demand supplier.

Table of Contents

1: Introduction.- 2: Basic Background Concepts.- 2.1. Thermodynamic Equilibrium and Detailed Balance.- 2.2. Thermal Motions and Collisions.- 2.3. Radiation — Generalities.- 2.4. Interaction Between Matter and Line Radiation.- 2.5. The Two-Level Model.- 2.6. The Escape Probability Method.- 2.7. The Level Population Equations.- 3: Astronomical Maser Radiation.- 3.1. The Maser Molecules.- 3.2. Evidence for Maser Action.- 3.3. Characteristics of the Radiation.- 4: Maser Theory.- 4.1. Formal Background †.- 4.2. Phenomenological Maser Theory.- 4.3. The Linear Maser.- 4.4. Background Radiation (I).- 4.5. Maser Linewidths.- 5: Effects of Geometry.- 5.1. Beaming.- 5.2. General Properties of Saturated Masers.- 5.3. Maser Escape Probability †.- 5.4. Spherical Masers.- 5.5. Filamentary Masers.- 5.6. Comparison of Different Geometries.- 5.7. Background Radiation (II).- 6: Polarization.- 6.1. Generalities.- 6.2. Stokes Parameters.- 6.3. Polarization in a Magnetic Field.- 6.4. Level Populations and Radiative Transfer.- 6.5. Fully Resolved Zeeman Pattern: g?B » ?.- 6.6. Overlapping Zeeman Components: g?B « ?.- 6.7. Polarization Filters.- 6.8. Faraday Rotation †.- 6.9. Comparison with Observations.- 7: Pumping.- 7.1. General Considerations.- 7.2. Radiative Pumps.- 7.3. Collisional Pumps.- 7.4. Chemical Pumps.- 7.5. Geometric Considerations.- 8: The Environments of Astronomical Masers.- 8.1. Interstellar Clouds.- 8.2. Maser Chemistry.- 8.3. Star-Forming Regions; H ii Regions.- 8.4. Late-Type Stars.- 8.5. The Geometry of Astronomical Masers.- 8.6. Saturation in Astronomical Masers.- 9: OH Masers.- 9.1. Satellite-Line Inversions.- 9.2. OH Masers in Late-Type Stars.- 9.3. H ii/OH Regions.- 9.4. Excited OH.- 9.5. Polarization.- 9.6. Comets.- 10: H2O Masers.- 10.1. BasicInversion — the Backbone.- 10.2. H2O Masers in Late-Type Stars.- 10.3. H2O Masers in Star-Forming Regions.- 10.4. Submillimeter H2O Masers.- 11: SiO Masers.- 11.1. Basic Inversion Considerations.- 11.2. SiO Masers in Late-Type Stars.- 11.3. Pumping Mechanisms.- 11.4. The Orion SiO Maser.- 12: Other Masers.- 12.1. Methanol (CH3OH).- 12.2. Ammonia (NH3).- 13: Extragalactic Masers.- 13.1. OH.- 13.2. H2O.- 14: Masers as Astronomical Tools.- 14.1. Distance Measurements.- 14.2. Galactic Properties.- 14.3. Interstellar Scattering.- 14.4. Circumstellar Disk Structure.- 14.5. Evolutionary Schemes for Late-Type Stars.- 15: Epilogue.- Appendix A: Beaming in Filamentary Masers †.- Appendix: Maser Properties in Different Geometries.- References.

Reviews

' The book is an essential purchase for workers in the field, and will also interest other astrophysicists and researchers in related areas of physics. ' Nature Volume 357 'The book is both well written and thorough, and the paperback edition is reasonably good value, given the somewhat specialized subject area. I'd advise anyone working in the field to buy themselves a copy.' The Observatory 113:1112 1993

The book is an essential purchase for workers in the field, and will also interest other astrophysicists and researchers in related areas of physics.' Nature Volume 357 'The book is both well written and thorough, and the paperback edition is reasonably good value, given the somewhat specialized subject area. I'd advise anyone working in the field to buy themselves a copy.' The Observatory 113: 1112 1993

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