'It is rich with clear applications of density matrices and tensor operators, many of which are based on the extensive research of the authors and their many collaborators. This book is written in clear English and contains a number of neatly done figures illustrating important points. ...[this book] is a crisp, fresh look at a topic with a relatively broad application, containing numerous and clear examples from the field of atomic collisions and especially helpful mathematical summaries. Written by internationally recognized authorities in the field, it is useful as both a reference book and a textbook for graduate students. Let us welcome this fine addition to our bookshelves.' Physics Today, April 2001

• 1. Density Matrix and Statistical Tensors.- 2. Production of Polarized States.- 3. Decay of Polarized States.- 4. Resonant and Two-Step Processes.- 5. Complements.- A.1. Pauli Matrices.- A.2. Legendre Polynomials and Associated Legendre Polynomials.- A.3. Spherical Harmonics.- A.4. Bipolar spherical harmonics.- A.5. Solid Spherical Harmonics.- A.6. Rotations and Wigner D-Functions.- A.7. Irreducible Tensor Operators.- A.8. Clebsch—Gordan Coefficients.

'It is rich with clear applications of density matrices and tensor operators, many of which are based on the extensive research of the authors and their many collaborators. This book is written in clear English and contains a number of neatly done figures illustrating important points. ...[this book] is a crisp, fresh look at a topic with a relatively broad application, containing numerous and clear examples from the field of atomic collisions and especially helpful mathematical summaries. Written by internationally recognized authorities in the field, it is useful as both a reference book and a textbook for graduate students. Let us welcome this fine addition to our bookshelves.' Physics Today, April 2001

• 1. Density Matrix and Statistical Tensors.- 2. Production of Polarized States.- 3. Decay of Polarized States.- 4. Resonant and Two-Step Processes.- 5. Complements.- A.1. Pauli Matrices.- A.2. Legendre Polynomials and Associated Legendre Polynomials.- A.3. Spherical Harmonics.- A.4. Bipolar spherical harmonics.- A.5. Solid Spherical Harmonics.- A.6. Rotations and Wigner D-Functions.- A.7. Irreducible Tensor Operators.- A.8. Clebsch—Gordan Coefficients.

'It is rich with clear applications of density matrices and tensor operators, many of which are based on the extensive research of the authors and their many collaborators. This book is written in clear English and contains a number of neatly done figures illustrating important points. ...[this book] is a crisp, fresh look at a topic with a relatively broad application, containing numerous and clear examples from the field of atomic collisions and especially helpful mathematical summaries. Written by internationally recognized authorities in the field, it is useful as both a reference book and a textbook for graduate students. Let us welcome this fine addition to our bookshelves.' Physics Today, April 2001

• 1. Density Matrix and Statistical Tensors.- 2. Production of Polarized States.- 3. Decay of Polarized States.- 4. Resonant and Two-Step Processes.- 5. Complements.- A.1. Pauli Matrices.- A.2. Legendre Polynomials and Associated Legendre Polynomials.- A.3. Spherical Harmonics.- A.4. Bipolar spherical harmonics.- A.5. Solid Spherical Harmonics.- A.6. Rotations and Wigner D-Functions.- A.7. Irreducible Tensor Operators.- A.8. Clebsch—Gordan Coefficients.