Publisher's Synopsis
This graduate text deals with polarization, alignment, and orientation effects in atomic collisions, induced by electron or heavy particle impact. The first part introduces light and particle polarization, experimenatal and computational methods, and the density matrix and state multipole formalism, with examples and exercises. The second part includes case studies of electron impact and heavy particle excitation, electron transfer, impact ionization and autoionizaztion, with the final chapter discussing related topics and applications. The book includes selected seminal papers of tutorial value from the early history of the field. Intended as an introductory text for both experimental and theoretical students and researchers, the book can be used as a textbook for graduate courses, as a primary source for special topics and seminar courses, and as a standard reference.
