C.V. Vishveshwara - 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.

Einstein's Enigma or Black Holes in My Bubble Bath is a humourous and informal rendition of the story of gravitation theory from the early historic origins to the latest developments in astrophysics, focusing on Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity and black-hole physics. Through engaging conversations and napkin-scribbled diagrams come tumbling the rudiments of relativity, spacetime and much of modern physics, narrated with high didactic and literary talent, and each embedded in casual lessons given by a worldly astrophysicist to his friend. Join the intellectual fun and exalt in the frothy ideas while vicariously taking relaxing baths in this magical bathtub.Prof. C.V. Vishveshwara is a renowned theoretical physicist, who participated in the golden age of black-hole physics, making pioneering contributions. Also an enthusiastic teacher and planetarium director, he has written several popular-level articles, scripts for planetarium shows and produced documentary movies on science.

Einstein's Enigma or Black Holes in My Bubble Bath is a humourous and informal rendition of the story of gravitation theory from the early historic origins to the latest developments in astrophysics, focusing on Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity and black-hole physics. Through engaging conversations and napkin-scribbled diagrams come tumbling the rudiments of relativity, spacetime and much of modern physics, narrated with high didactic and literary talent, and each embedded in casual lessons given by a worldly astrophysicist to his friend. Join the intellectual fun and exalt in the frothy ideas while vicariously taking relaxing baths in this magical bathtub.Prof. C.V. Vishveshwara is a renowned theoretical physicist, who participated in the golden age of black-hole physics, making pioneering contributions. Also an enthusiastic teacher and planetarium director, he has written several popular-level articles, scripts for planetarium shows and produced documentary movies on science.

"Le bolle stavano turbinando tutto intorno a me e massaggiavano il mio corpo ... Mentre me la godevo in questo fantastico bagno di bolle, i miei occhi si fecero pesanti e mi lasciaii trasportare in un dormiveglia sublimamente estatico". Così inizia l’incontro di Alfie con una vasca da bagno eccezionale e rivelatrice, acquistata da un vicino misterioso di nome Al.L’Enigma di Einstein, ovvero buchi neri nel mio bagno di schiuma, racconta la storia della teoria della gravitazione, dai suoi primordi fino agli ultimi sviluppi in astrofisica, focalizzandosi sulla teoria della relatività generale di Albert Einstein e sulla fisica dei buchi neri. Tramite conversazioni avvincenti e diagrammi scarabocchiati su tovaglioli di carta, si susseguono a ruota i rudimenti della relatività, dello spazio-tempo e di molti aspetti della fisica moderna. In scenette narrate con abilità pedagogica e notevole talento letterario, il lettore s’imbatterà nelle lezioni informali che un astrofisico cosmopolita tiene al suo amico Alfie, organizzatore free lance di progetti di ricerca. Unitevi al divertimento intellettuale ed emozionatevi con le idee spumeggianti, mentre con la fantasia vi godete un rilassante bagno in questa vasca magica!

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.