Advanced Textbooks in Physics – serie

What is the dark matter that fills the Universe and binds together galaxies? How was it produced? What are its interactions and particle properties?The paradigm of dark matter is one of the key developments at the interface of cosmology and elementary particle physics. It is also one of the foundations of the standard cosmological model. This book presents the state of the art in building and testing particle models for dark matter. Each chapter gives an analysis of questions, research directions, and methods within the field. More than 200 problems are included to challenge and stimulate the reader's knowledge and provide guidance in the practical implementation of the numerous "tools of the trade" presented. Appendices summarize the basics of cosmology and particle physics needed for any quantitative understanding of particle models for dark matter.This interdisciplinary textbook is essential reading for anyone interested in the microscopic nature of dark matter as it manifests itself in particle physics experiments, cosmological observations, and high-energy astrophysical phenomena: from graduate students and advanced undergraduates to cosmologists and astrophysicists interested in particle models for dark matter and particle physicists interested in early-universe cosmology and high-energy astrophysics.

What is the dark matter that fills the Universe and binds together galaxies? How was it produced? What are its interactions and particle properties?The paradigm of dark matter is one of the key developments at the interface of cosmology and elementary particle physics. It is also one of the foundations of the standard cosmological model. This book presents the state of the art in building and testing particle models for dark matter. Each chapter gives an analysis of questions, research directions, and methods within the field. More than 200 problems are included to challenge and stimulate the reader's knowledge and provide guidance in the practical implementation of the numerous "tools of the trade" presented. Appendices summarize the basics of cosmology and particle physics needed for any quantitative understanding of particle models for dark matter.This interdisciplinary textbook is essential reading for anyone interested in the microscopic nature of dark matter as it manifests itself in particle physics experiments, cosmological observations, and high-energy astrophysical phenomena: from graduate students and advanced undergraduates to cosmologists and astrophysicists interested in particle models for dark matter and particle physicists interested in early-universe cosmology and high-energy astrophysics.

At Les Houches in January 2015, experts in the field of charged particle trapping came together for the Second Winter School on Physics with Trapped Charged Particles. This textbook collates the lectures delivered there, covering the fundamental physics of particle traps and the different types of applications of these devices.Taken as a whole, the book gives an overview of why traps for charged particles are important, how they work, their special features and limitations, and their application in areas such as precision measurements, mass spectrometry, optical clocks, plasma physics, antihydrogen creation, quantum simulation and quantum information processing. Chapters from various world experts include those on the basic properties of Penning traps and RF traps, as well as those covering important practical aspects such as vacuum systems, detection techniques, and different types of particle cooling, including laser cooling.Each individual chapter provides information and guidance on the application of the above methods. Additionally, each chapter is complemented by fully worked problems and solutions, making Trapped Charged Particles perfect for advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students new to this topic.

At Les Houches in January 2015, experts in the field of charged particle trapping came together for the Second Winter School on Physics with Trapped Charged Particles. This textbook collates the lectures delivered there, covering the fundamental physics of particle traps and the different types of applications of these devices.Taken as a whole, the book gives an overview of why traps for charged particles are important, how they work, their special features and limitations, and their application in areas such as precision measurements, mass spectrometry, optical clocks, plasma physics, antihydrogen creation, quantum simulation and quantum information processing. Chapters from various world experts include those on the basic properties of Penning traps and RF traps, as well as those covering important practical aspects such as vacuum systems, detection techniques, and different types of particle cooling, including laser cooling.Each individual chapter provides information and guidance on the application of the above methods. Additionally, each chapter is complemented by fully worked problems and solutions, making Trapped Charged Particles perfect for advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students new to this topic.

This invaluable book provides both an introduction to the rudiments of perturbative string theory and a more detailed introduction to the more current topic of D-brane dynamics. The approach taken is pedagogical, with much of the technical detail streamlined. It is the concise nature of this rapid, but highly coherent, introduction to the subject that distinguishes it from other books on string theory or D-brane dynamics. The third edition has been revised to include a new chapter on the recent topic of string theory in electromagnetic fields. The material is based on courses in theoretical high-energy physics delivered by the author at various summer schools, so its level of appropriateness has been tested and has been resoundingly well received.

Distant galaxies encapsulate the various stages of galaxy evolution and formation from over 95% of the development of the universe. As early as twenty-five years ago, little was known about them, however since the first systematic survey was completed in the 1990s, increasing amounts of resources have been devoted to their discovery and research. This book summarises for the first time the numerous techniques used for observing, analysing, and understanding the evolution and formation of these distant galaxies.In this rapidly expanding research field, this text is an every-day companion handbook for graduate students and active researchers. It provides guidelines in sample selection, imaging, integrated spectroscopy and 3D spectroscopy, which help to avoid the numerous pitfalls of observational and analysis techniques in use in extragalactic astronomy. It also paves the way for establishing relations between fundamental properties of distant galaxies. At each step, the reader is assisted with numerous practical examples and ready-to-use methodology to help understand and analyse research.François Hammer worked initially in general relativity and made the first modelling of gravitational lenses prior to their spectroscopic confirmation. Following this, he became co-leader of the first complete survey of distant galaxies, the Canada-France-Redshift Survey. This led to the discovery of the strong decrease of the cosmic star formation density measured from UV light as z=1, which, alongside Hector Flores, they confirmed as bolometric and dust independent. With Mathieu Puech, they then pioneered the 3D spectroscopy of distant galaxies, leading to a major increase of understanding of the dynamic state of distant galaxies evidenced by the scatter of the Tully-Fisher relation. This led them to propose, with the addition to the team of Myriam Rodrigues, that galactic disks may survive or be rebuilt in gas-rich mergers, a scenario that is consistent with contemporary cosmological simulations. Besides extensive observational experience, the authors have led, or are leading, several instruments implemented or to be implemented at the largest telescopes, including VLT/Giraffe, VLT/X-shooter, VLT/MOONS and E-ELT/MOSAIC. They have also developed several observational techniques in adaptive optics, and in sky subtraction for integral field units and fibre instruments.

Distant galaxies encapsulate the various stages of galaxy evolution and formation from over 95% of the development of the universe. As early as twenty-five years ago, little was known about them, however since the first systematic survey was completed in the 1990s, increasing amounts of resources have been devoted to their discovery and research. This book summarises for the first time the numerous techniques used for observing, analysing, and understanding the evolution and formation of these distant galaxies.In this rapidly expanding research field, this text is an every-day companion handbook for graduate students and active researchers. It provides guidelines in sample selection, imaging, integrated spectroscopy and 3D spectroscopy, which help to avoid the numerous pitfalls of observational and analysis techniques in use in extragalactic astronomy. It also paves the way for establishing relations between fundamental properties of distant galaxies. At each step, the reader is assisted with numerous practical examples and ready-to-use methodology to help understand and analyse research.François Hammer worked initially in general relativity and made the first modelling of gravitational lenses prior to their spectroscopic confirmation. Following this, he became co-leader of the first complete survey of distant galaxies, the Canada-France-Redshift Survey. This led to the discovery of the strong decrease of the cosmic star formation density measured from UV light as z=1, which, alongside Hector Flores, they confirmed as bolometric and dust independent. With Mathieu Puech, they then pioneered the 3D spectroscopy of distant galaxies, leading to a major increase of understanding of the dynamic state of distant galaxies evidenced by the scatter of the Tully-Fisher relation. This led them to propose, with the addition to the team of Myriam Rodrigues, that galactic disks may survive or be rebuilt in gas-rich mergers, a scenario that is consistent with contemporary cosmological simulations. Besides extensive observational experience, the authors have led, or are leading, several instruments implemented or to be implemented at the largest telescopes, including VLT/Giraffe, VLT/X-shooter, VLT/MOONS and E-ELT/MOSAIC. They have also developed several observational techniques in adaptive optics, and in sky subtraction for integral field units and fibre instruments.

This book is an introduction to quantum states and of their scattering in semiconductor nanostructures. Written with exercises and detailed solutions, it is designed to enable readers to start modelling actual electron states and scattering in nanostructures. It first looks at practical aspects of quantum states and emphasises the variational and perturbation approaches. Following this there is analysis of quasi two-dimensional materials, including discussion of the eigenstates of nanostructures, scattering mechanisms and their numerical results.Focussing on practical applications, this book moves away from standard discourse on theory and provides students of physics, nanotechnology and materials science with the opportunity to fully understand the electronic properties of nanostructures.

This book is an introduction to quantum states and of their scattering in semiconductor nanostructures. Written with exercises and detailed solutions, it is designed to enable readers to start modelling actual electron states and scattering in nanostructures. It first looks at practical aspects of quantum states and emphasises the variational and perturbation approaches. Following this there is analysis of quasi two-dimensional materials, including discussion of the eigenstates of nanostructures, scattering mechanisms and their numerical results.Focussing on practical applications, this book moves away from standard discourse on theory and provides students of physics, nanotechnology and materials science with the opportunity to fully understand the electronic properties of nanostructures.

This book provides a self-contained and rigorous presentation of the main mathematical tools needed to approach many courses at the last year of undergraduate in Physics and MSc programs, from Electromagnetism to Quantum Mechanics. It complements A Guide to Mathematical Methods for Physicists with advanced topics and physical applications. The different arguments are organised in three main sections: Complex Analysis, Differential Equations and Hilbert Spaces, covering most of the standard mathematical method tools in modern physics.One of the purposes of the book is to show how seemingly different mathematical tools like, for instance, Fourier transforms, eigenvalue problems, special functions and so on, are all deeply interconnected. It contains a large number of examples, problems and detailed solutions, emphasising the main purpose of relating concrete physical examples with more formal mathematical aspects.

"The first two editions of this textbook have received well-deserved high acclaims, and this — the third edition — deserves no less. Its explanations of the whole gamut of atomic and molecular spectroscopy provide a solid grasp of the theory as well as how to understand such spectra in practice. It thus makes an ideal companion to books that start from the observational aspect of spectroscopy, whether in the lab or at the telescope … This new edition of Tennyson’s book ought to be in the library of every astronomical department."The Observatory Magazine"It closely follows the course given to third year UCL undergraduates, and the worked examples have surely been tested on students … The last two chapters serve as an effective appendix on more specialised topics in atomic and molecular theory."Contemporary PhysicsThe third edition of Astronomical Spectroscopy examines the physics necessary to understand and interpret astronomical spectra. It offers a step-by-step guide to the atomic and molecular physics involved in providing astronomical spectra starting from the relatively simple hydrogen atom and working its way to the spectroscopy of small molecules.Based on UCL course material, this book uses actual astronomical spectra to illustrate the theoretical aspects of the book to give the reader a feel for such spectra as well as an awareness of what information can be retrieved from them. It also provides comprehensive exercises, with answers given, to aid understanding.

This book provides a self-contained and rigorous presentation of the main mathematical tools needed to approach many courses at the last year of undergraduate in Physics and MSc programs, from Electromagnetism to Quantum Mechanics. It complements A Guide to Mathematical Methods for Physicists with advanced topics and physical applications. The different arguments are organised in three main sections: Complex Analysis, Differential Equations and Hilbert Spaces, covering most of the standard mathematical method tools in modern physics.One of the purposes of the book is to show how seemingly different mathematical tools like, for instance, Fourier transforms, eigenvalue problems, special functions and so on, are all deeply interconnected. It contains a large number of examples, problems and detailed solutions, emphasising the main purpose of relating concrete physical examples with more formal mathematical aspects.

"The first two editions of this textbook have received well-deserved high acclaims, and this — the third edition — deserves no less. Its explanations of the whole gamut of atomic and molecular spectroscopy provide a solid grasp of the theory as well as how to understand such spectra in practice. It thus makes an ideal companion to books that start from the observational aspect of spectroscopy, whether in the lab or at the telescope … This new edition of Tennyson’s book ought to be in the library of every astronomical department."The Observatory Magazine"It closely follows the course given to third year UCL undergraduates, and the worked examples have surely been tested on students … The last two chapters serve as an effective appendix on more specialised topics in atomic and molecular theory."Contemporary PhysicsThe third edition of Astronomical Spectroscopy examines the physics necessary to understand and interpret astronomical spectra. It offers a step-by-step guide to the atomic and molecular physics involved in providing astronomical spectra starting from the relatively simple hydrogen atom and working its way to the spectroscopy of small molecules.Based on UCL course material, this book uses actual astronomical spectra to illustrate the theoretical aspects of the book to give the reader a feel for such spectra as well as an awareness of what information can be retrieved from them. It also provides comprehensive exercises, with answers given, to aid understanding.

Primarily aiming to give undergraduate students an introduction to solid state physics, Physics of Electrons in Solids explains the properties of solids through the study of non-interacting electrons in solids. While each chapter contains a qualitative introduction to the main ideas behind solid state physics, it also provides detailed calculations of utmost importance to graduate students.The introductory chapters contain crystallographic and quantum prerequisites. The central chapters are devoted to the quantum states of an independent electron in a crystal and to the equilibrium properties of conductors, insulators, and semiconductors. The final chapters contain insights into the assumptions made throughout, briefly describing the origin of ferromagnetism and superconductivity. The book ends with exercises and solutions based on a physics course taught by the author at École Polytechnique.

Building on the material learned by students in their first few years of study, Topics in Statistical Mechanics (Second Edition) presents an advanced level course on statistical and thermal physics. It begins with a review of the formal structure of statistical mechanics and thermodynamics considered from a unified viewpoint. There is a brief revision of non-interacting systems, including quantum gases and a discussion of negative temperatures. Following this, emphasis is on interacting systems. First, weakly interacting systems are considered, where the interest is in seeing how small interactions cause small deviations from the non-interacting case. Second, systems are examined where interactions lead to drastic changes, namely phase transitions. A number of specific examples is given, and these are unified within the Landau theory of phase transitions. The final chapter of the book looks at non-equilibrium systems, in particular the way they evolve towards equilibrium. This is framed within the context of linear response theory. Here fluctuations play a vital role, as is formalised in the fluctuation-dissipation theorem.The second edition has been revised particularly to help students use this book for self-study. In addition, the section on non-ideal gases has been expanded, with a treatment of the hard-sphere gas, and an accessible discussion of interacting quantum gases. In many cases there are details of Mathematica calculations, including Mathematica Notebooks, and expression of some results in terms of Special Functions.

Building on the material learned by students in their first few years of study, Topics in Statistical Mechanics (Second Edition) presents an advanced level course on statistical and thermal physics. It begins with a review of the formal structure of statistical mechanics and thermodynamics considered from a unified viewpoint. There is a brief revision of non-interacting systems, including quantum gases and a discussion of negative temperatures. Following this, emphasis is on interacting systems. First, weakly interacting systems are considered, where the interest is in seeing how small interactions cause small deviations from the non-interacting case. Second, systems are examined where interactions lead to drastic changes, namely phase transitions. A number of specific examples is given, and these are unified within the Landau theory of phase transitions. The final chapter of the book looks at non-equilibrium systems, in particular the way they evolve towards equilibrium. This is framed within the context of linear response theory. Here fluctuations play a vital role, as is formalised in the fluctuation-dissipation theorem.The second edition has been revised particularly to help students use this book for self-study. In addition, the section on non-ideal gases has been expanded, with a treatment of the hard-sphere gas, and an accessible discussion of interacting quantum gases. In many cases there are details of Mathematica calculations, including Mathematica Notebooks, and expression of some results in terms of Special Functions.

Astrophotonics is the application of photonics to astronomical instrumentation. It is a rapidly developing field that takes a new approach to instrumentation, in which the bulk optics of traditional instruments, such as lenses, mirrors, and diffraction gratings, are replaced with devices embedded within waveguides. This enables instruments that are smaller, modular, more stable, and most excitingly, with optical capabilities not possible with traditional instruments.Astrophotonics has reached a stage of development where many prototype devices are now being tested on sky, and the first fully-fledged instruments incorporating photonic devices are now being used for observations. The field is thus transitioning from one of instrumental research and development to mainstream observational astrophysics.This is the first book focussed on astrophotonics, written by three experts in the field. Beginning with a sound introduction to the basic principles of astrophotonics, it is intended to communicate the current status, potential, and future possibilities of astrophotonics to the wider astronomical, optics and photonics communities.

Astrophotonics is the application of photonics to astronomical instrumentation. It is a rapidly developing field that takes a new approach to instrumentation, in which the bulk optics of traditional instruments, such as lenses, mirrors, and diffraction gratings, are replaced with devices embedded within waveguides. This enables instruments that are smaller, modular, more stable, and most excitingly, with optical capabilities not possible with traditional instruments.Astrophotonics has reached a stage of development where many prototype devices are now being tested on sky, and the first fully-fledged instruments incorporating photonic devices are now being used for observations. The field is thus transitioning from one of instrumental research and development to mainstream observational astrophysics.This is the first book focussed on astrophotonics, written by three experts in the field. Beginning with a sound introduction to the basic principles of astrophotonics, it is intended to communicate the current status, potential, and future possibilities of astrophotonics to the wider astronomical, optics and photonics communities.

What is a plasmon? Is it a particle, like a photon or a wave? Plasmonics stands at the frontier of condensed matter physics, which is the world of electrons, optics and of photons. Plasmonics is one of the most active fields in nanophotonics. This book begins by exploring the concepts behind waves, and the electromagnetic description of light when it interacts with metals; it dedicates every chapter thereafter to all aspects of plasmonics. In particular, the surface plasmon polariton wave is explained in full detail, as well as the localized surface plasmon resonance of metallic nanoparticles. The active research area opened by plasmonics, as well as its applications, are also briefly explained, such as advanced biosensing, subwavelength waveguiding, quantum plasmonics, nanoparticle-based cancer therapies, optical nano-antenna and high-efficiency photovoltaic cells.The book is adapted for graduate students and places a special emphasis on providing complete explanations of the fundamental concepts of plasmonics. Further, each of these concepts is illustrated with examples drawn from the most recent scientific literature. Each chapter ends with a set of exercises that will help the reader revise the concepts and go deeper into the world of plasmonics. More than 70 exercises are included.

These two volumes are an ideal resource for advanced physics students preparing to progress to the PhD level, offering a carefully curated selection of intellectually engaging and pedagogically valuable problems spanning the breadth of the subject. Each problem is accompanied by a fully worked, detailed solution designed to illuminate problem-solving strategies, clarify conceptual pitfalls, and highlight key take-home messages. The selection of problems reflects emerging trends in physics pedagogy and topical domains of study. These volumes are as much a training ground for problem-solving habits essential to research careers as they are a resource for examination preparation, emphasizing clarity, strategy, and analytical depth.All problems are taken from the qualifying examinations of the University of California, Santa Cruz Physics Department. While serving as an unmatched resource for students preparing for these specific exams, both volumes remain highly relevant to the wider physics community. Graduate students worldwide preparing for qualifying or comprehensive examinations will find excellent preparation material, while advanced undergraduates can benchmark their readiness for graduate-level study. The problems are ranked by difficulty using a three-tier star system, making the books readily adaptable to students of different levels. Instructors will also find great value in this reliable repository of questions that have been vetted repeatedly under high-stakes conditions.This first volume covers the topics of classical mechanics and mathematical methods for physics. The problems are of a level accessible to advanced undergraduates as well as master's students transitioning to the PhD level.

These two volumes are an ideal resource for advanced physics students preparing to progress to the PhD level, offering a carefully curated selection of intellectually engaging and pedagogically valuable problems spanning the breadth of the subject. Each problem is accompanied by a fully worked, detailed solution designed to illuminate problem-solving strategies, clarify conceptual pitfalls, and highlight key take-home messages. The selection of problems reflects emerging trends in physics pedagogy and topical domains of study. These volumes are as much a training ground for problem-solving habits essential to research careers as they are a resource for examination preparation, emphasizing clarity, strategy, and analytical depth.All problems are taken from the qualifying examinations of the University of California, Santa Cruz Physics Department. While serving as an unmatched resource for students preparing for these specific exams, both volumes remain highly relevant to the wider physics community. Graduate students worldwide preparing for qualifying or comprehensive examinations will find excellent preparation material, while advanced undergraduates can benchmark their readiness for graduate-level study. The problems are ranked by difficulty using a three-tier star system, making the books readily adaptable to students of different levels. Instructors will also find great value in this reliable repository of questions that have been vetted repeatedly under high-stakes conditions.This second volume covers the topics of electricity and magnetism, quantum mechanics, and statistical mechanics. While the material is focused at the master's level, advanced undergraduates will also find a number of accessible problems herein.

These two volumes are an ideal resource for advanced physics students preparing to progress to the PhD level, offering a carefully curated selection of intellectually engaging and pedagogically valuable problems spanning the breadth of the subject. Each problem is accompanied by a fully worked, detailed solution designed to illuminate problem-solving strategies, clarify conceptual pitfalls, and highlight key take-home messages. The selection of problems reflects emerging trends in physics pedagogy and topical domains of study. These volumes are as much a training ground for problem-solving habits essential to research careers as they are a resource for examination preparation, emphasizing clarity, strategy, and analytical depth.All problems are taken from the qualifying examinations of the University of California, Santa Cruz Physics Department. While serving as an unmatched resource for students preparing for these specific exams, both volumes remain highly relevant to the wider physics community. Graduate students worldwide preparing for qualifying or comprehensive examinations will find excellent preparation material, while advanced undergraduates can benchmark their readiness for graduate-level study. The problems are ranked by difficulty using a three-tier star system, making the books readily adaptable to students of different levels. Instructors will also find great value in this reliable repository of questions that have been vetted repeatedly under high-stakes conditions.This first volume covers the topics of classical mechanics and mathematical methods for physics. The problems are of a level accessible to advanced undergraduates as well as master's students transitioning to the PhD level.

These two volumes are an ideal resource for advanced physics students preparing to progress to the PhD level, offering a carefully curated selection of intellectually engaging and pedagogically valuable problems spanning the breadth of the subject. Each problem is accompanied by a fully worked, detailed solution designed to illuminate problem-solving strategies, clarify conceptual pitfalls, and highlight key take-home messages. The selection of problems reflects emerging trends in physics pedagogy and topical domains of study. These volumes are as much a training ground for problem-solving habits essential to research careers as they are a resource for examination preparation, emphasizing clarity, strategy, and analytical depth.All problems are taken from the qualifying examinations of the University of California, Santa Cruz Physics Department. While serving as an unmatched resource for students preparing for these specific exams, both volumes remain highly relevant to the wider physics community. Graduate students worldwide preparing for qualifying or comprehensive examinations will find excellent preparation material, while advanced undergraduates can benchmark their readiness for graduate-level study. The problems are ranked by difficulty using a three-tier star system, making the books readily adaptable to students of different levels. Instructors will also find great value in this reliable repository of questions that have been vetted repeatedly under high-stakes conditions.This second volume covers the topics of electricity and magnetism, quantum mechanics, and statistical mechanics. While the material is focused at the master's level, advanced undergraduates will also find a number of accessible problems herein.

Dark Matter: From Particle Candidates to Black Holes, with Problems and Solutions offers a comprehensive, pedagogical, and self-contained guide to the modern landscape of dark-matter physics.The book traces the evolution of the field from its roots in classical astrophysical evidence to the latest frontiers in cosmology, quantum field theory, and gravitational-wave astronomy. It systematically presents the theoretical foundations of dark-matter candidates across the full mass spectrum—from ultralight wave-like fields and sub-GeV particles to primordial black holes and exotic compact objects.The text integrates experimental, observational, and theoretical perspectives, covering direct and indirect searches, collider production, and cosmological and astrophysical probes. Each chapter includes problem sets with fully worked solutions, making the volume ideal for graduate instruction, self-study, and qualifying-exam preparation.Written in a clear "blackboard style," the book connects deep conceptual insights with calculational tools, providing readers with a versatile framework for exploring one of the most active frontiers in modern physics.

Dark Matter: From Particle Candidates to Black Holes, with Problems and Solutions offers a comprehensive, pedagogical, and self-contained guide to the modern landscape of dark-matter physics.The book traces the evolution of the field from its roots in classical astrophysical evidence to the latest frontiers in cosmology, quantum field theory, and gravitational-wave astronomy. It systematically presents the theoretical foundations of dark-matter candidates across the full mass spectrum—from ultralight wave-like fields and sub-GeV particles to primordial black holes and exotic compact objects.The text integrates experimental, observational, and theoretical perspectives, covering direct and indirect searches, collider production, and cosmological and astrophysical probes. Each chapter includes problem sets with fully worked solutions, making the volume ideal for graduate instruction, self-study, and qualifying-exam preparation.Written in a clear "blackboard style," the book connects deep conceptual insights with calculational tools, providing readers with a versatile framework for exploring one of the most active frontiers in modern physics.