Positron Physics: (Series Number 11 Cambridge Monographs on Atomic, Molecular and Chemical Physics)

This book provides a comprehensive and up-to-date account of the field of low energy positrons and positronium within atomic and molecular physics. It begins with an introduction to the field, discussing the background to low energy positron beams, and then covers topics such as total scattering cross sections, elastic scattering, positronium formation, excitation and ionisation, annihilation and positronium interactions. Each chapter contains a blend of theory and experiment, giving a balanced treatment of all the topics. The book will be useful for graduate students and researchers in physics and chemistry. It is ideal for those wishing to gain rapid, in-depth knowledge of this unique branch of atomic physics.

Table of Contents:
Preface; 1. Introduction; 2. Total scattering cross sections; 3. Elastic scattering; 4. Positronium formation; 5. Excitation and ionization; 6. Positron annihilation; 7. Positronium and its interactions; 8. Exotic species involving positrons.

About the Author :
Michael Charlton obtained his BSc and PhD degrees from University College London. In 1983 he was awarded a Royal Society University Research Fellowship, held at UCL. From 1991 to 1999 he was a Reader in Physics at UCL and was appointed to the Chair in Experimental Physics at University of Wales Swansea in 1999. Professor Charlton has published over one hundred research articles and written several reviews, notably for Reports on Progress in Physics and Physics Reports. John Watkin Humberston was an undergraduate at Manchester University and obtained his PhD from University College London. From 1965 to 1966 he taught at Trinity College Dublin and became a Lecturer at UCL in 1966, where he subsequently became Senior Lecturer and Reader. During this time he had sabbatical leave at the Goddard Space Flight Center, USA, and at York University, Toronto, Canada. Dr Humberston has written numerous research articles, published mainly in Journal of Physics B, as well as having written several review articles in Advances in Atomic and Molecular Physics and in Physics Reports.

Review :
"...clearly written...The book's completeness on its princiapl topics, including references of about 800 of the original works, is exhaustive enough that I shall finally be able to discard my extensive reprint collection...I recommend this book. Because of its good writing, its reliability, its choice of material, and its excellent degree of coverage, it is a good text for beginning annihilators and a handy reference for their professors." Physics Today "Positron Physics is a real textbook, though without exercises. Its unifying viewpoint and beautiful format as a Cambridge University Press monograph should be an inspiration for others...I recommed this book. Because of its good writing, its reliability, its choice of material, and its excellent degree of coverage, it is a good text for beginning annihilators and a handy reference for their professors." Physics Today