Mirror Matter (Wiley Science Editions)

This book describes how to make, capture, store, and use antimatter. It is the answer to the skeptics who say that using antimatter is too risky, too difficult, or too expensive. Explains, step-by-step, how to greatly improve the cost-effectiveness of antimatter production, how antimatter can be used in power stations, and how it can improve the propulsion of interplanetary rocket engines by one or two orders of magnitude.

Antimatterincluding positrons, antiprotons, and other inverses of "normal" particleshas been considered a plaything of research physicists and science fiction writers. But retired physicist Forward and science writer Davis do not limit themselves to relating the history of antimatter. They give some moderately technical information about techniques for production and storage of antiprotons. They also give serious attention to the possibilities for practical use of antimatter, especially in rocket propulsion. Interspersed are brief chapters from the authors' science fiction effort concerning a teenager in 2035 who is fascinated by uses of antimatter. A full-length popular book on this topic is uncommon; this should be welcome in public and academic libraries. Jack W. Weigel, Univ. of Michigan Lib., Ann Arbor
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.