B.R. Iyer - Böcker

This volume is based on the lectures given at the First Inter-University Graduate School on Gravitation and Cosmology organized by IUCAA in Pune, India. The material offers a firm mathematical foundation for a number of subjects, including geometrical methods for physics, quantum field theory methods and relativistic cosmology. It brings together the most basic and widely used techniques of theoretical physics. A number of specially-selected problems with hints and solutions have been added to assist the reader in achieving mastery of the topics. The style of the book is pedagogical and should appeal to graduate students and research workers who are beginners in the study of gravitation and cosmology or related subjects such as differential geometry, quantum field theory and the mathematics of physics. This volume can also be used as a textbook for courses or for self-study.

This volume assesses research on black holes and gravitational radiation and their implications in understanding this mysterious universe. Thirty-two articles by experts of international standing weave separate threads into the majestic black hole tapestry and bring together a broad view of past achievements, current progress and future prospects. Pedagogic in nature, the volume is a tribute to C.V. Vishveshwara, whose pioneering contribution to studies of black holes is universally recognized. It leads the reader along the seemingly innocuous trail that began in the sixties, through today, to the future, and attempts to offer a grand panoramic view of black hole physics before the new millennium. This book should be of interest to research physicists and to mathematicians whose work involves relativity and gravitation, theoretical astrophysics, mathematical physics, active galactic nuclei, cosmology and data analysis.

This book evolved out of some one hundred lectures given by twenty experts at a special instructional conference sponsored by the University Grants Commis­ sion, India. It is pedagogical in style and self-contained in several interrelated areas of physics which have become extremely important in present-day theoretical research. The articles begin with an introduction to general relativity and cosmology as well as particle physics and quantum field theory. This is followed by reviews of the standard gauge models of high-energy physics, renormalization group and grand unified theories. The concluding parts of the book comprise discussions in current research topics such as problems of the early universe, quantum cosmology and the new directions towards a unification of gravitation with other forces. In addition, special concise treatments of mathematical topics of direct relevance are also included. The content of the book was carefully worked out for the mutual education of students and research workers in general relativity and particle physics. This ambitious programe consequently necessitated the involvement of a number of different authors. However, care has been taken to ensure that the material meshes into a unified, cogent and readable book. We hope that the book will serve to initiate and guide a student in these different areas of investigation starting from first principles and leading to the exciting current research problems of an interdisciplinary nature in the context of the origin and structure of the universe.

This volume is based on the lectures given at the First Inter-University Graduate School on Gravitation and Cosmology organized by IUCAA, Pune, India. The material offers a firm mathematical foundation for a number of subjects including geometrical methods for physics, quantum field theory methods and relativistic cosmology. It brings together the most basic and widely used techniques of theoretical physics today. A number of specially selected problems with hints and solutions have been added to assist the reader in achieving mastery of the topics. Audience: The style of the book is pedagogical and should appeal to graduate students and research workers who are beginners in the study of gravitation and cosmology or related subjects such as differential geometry, quantum field theory and the mathematics of physics. This volume is also recommended as a textbook for courses or for self-study.

This volume assesses research on black holes and gravitational radiation and their implications in understanding this mysterious universe. Thirty-two articles by experts of international standing weave separate threads into the majestic black hole tapestry and bring together a broad view of past achievements, current progress and future prospects. Pedagogic in nature, the volume is a tribute to C.V. Vishveshwara, whose pioneering contribution to studies of black holes is universally recognised. It leads the reader along the seemingly innocuous trail that began in the sixties, through today, to the future, and attempts to offer a grand panoramic view of black hole physics before the new millennium. Audience: This book will be of interest to research physicists and to mathematicians whose work involves relativity and gravitation, theoretical astrophysics, mathematical physics, active galactic nuclei, cosmology and data analysis.