The Physics of Gamma-Ray Bursts

Bing Zhang is a Professor of Astrophysics at University of Nevada, Las Vegas, a Changjiang Visiting Chair Professor of Astrophysics at Peking University, Beijing, and a fellow of the American Physics Society. His research interests include astrophysics of black holes of different scales, neutron stars of different species, relativistic jets, radiation mechanisms, and multi-messenger astrophysics. He has published more than 300 refereed papers. Most of his published works are related to the physics of gamma-ray bursts, and he is one of the most cited theorists in the field. He has extensive teaching experience at the undergraduate and graduate level.

From the Foreword: 'The material in this book has been painstakingly researched and developed by Professor Zhang … Starting with a comprehensive historical perspective, it goes on to delve extensively with all of the major aspects of the field up to the present date, with insightful discussions of the relevant physics involved in the various phenomenological aspects, including perspectives on the possible developments expected from future observations. It then goes on to place GRBs in the broader astrophysical context of stars, galaxies and the universe, and the possible implications for fundamental physics. This is the most complete, comprehensive, and up-to-date monograph on the physics of gamma-ray bursts, by one of the leading experts in the field, which will be an invaluable resource both for the advanced researchers and for those wishing to gain an overview of one of the most exciting topics in contemporary astrophysics.' Peter Mészáros, Pennsylvania State University

• Foreword; Preface; 1. Introduction; 2. GRB Phenomenology; 3. Relativity; 4. Relativistic shocks; 5. Leptonic processes; 6. Hadronic processes; 7. Basic theoretical framework; 8. Afterglow physics; 9. Prompt emission physics; 10. Progenitor; 11. Central engine; 12. Non-electromagnetic signals; 13. Cosmological context; 14. Other topics; References; Index.