Kinetic Theory: Classical, Quantum, and Relativistic Descriptions (Graduate Texts in Contemporary Physics)

Kinetic Theory: Classical, Quantum, and Relativistic Descriptions goes beyond the scope of other works in the field with its thorough treatment of applications in a wide variety of disciplines. Its clear exposition and emphasis on concrete examples will make it not only an excellent graduate text but also a valuable resource for researchers in such disciplines as aerospace, mechanical, and chemical engineering; astrophysics, solid state and laser physics and devices, plasma physics, and controlled and thermonuclear fusion.

Among the topics covered are:
- The Liouville equation and analyses of the Liouville equation, including two independent derivations
- The Boltzmann equation and Boltzmann's H-theorem
- Analysis of the linearized collision operator
- Fluid dynamics and irreversibility
- Assorted kinetic equations with applications to plasmas and neutral fluids
- Elements of quantum kinetic theory, including the Green's-function formalism and the Wigner-Moyal equation
- Relativistic kinetic theory and Lorentz invariants
- Kinetic properties of metals and amorphous media
- Monte-Carlo analysis in kinetic theory
- Kinetic study of shock waves

This third revised edition features a new section on constants of motion and symmetry and a new appendix on the Lorentz-Legendre expansion.

This book covers classical kinetic theory as well as quantum kinetics applicable to solid state and laser physics, and relativistic kinetics that relate to astrophysics and controlled thermonuclear fusion.