Stephen Hawking, present occupant of the Lucasian Chair at Cambridge University, is today one of the best known theoretical cosmologists in the world. His important contributions, in collaboration with Roger Penrose, to the physics of black holes are well known, but this does not make comparable to those of Albert Einstein, as some times is affirmed in the mainstream media. In this book, Hawking´s work as presented at the Vatican Study Week on Astrophysical Cosmology (1981), his bestseller “A Brief History of Time” (1988), his lecture on “Gödel and the end of physics” (2002), and “The Grand Design”(2010) are briefly examined. In them many philosophical questions are raised but no rigorous answers are provided. In the second half of the book, chapters on the origin of science in the Christian West, the post-Renaissance scientific revolution, the true pioneers of modern physics put contemporary cosmology in a proper perspective. The authors conclude that contemporary observational data are compatible with a finite, open and contingent universe, rather than with “everything coming out of nothing”. This book puts in a proper historical perspective, contrary to Hawking’s, that the universe is intelligible as attested by the monumental fact of modern science, and, therefore, that it is contingent, and therefore created. Very often, contemporary theoretical cosmologists ignore the crucial contributions made in Medieval Europe to the birth of modern physics. This book intends to bridge the gap in accessible language for the non specialist.

This e-book presents an overview of field propulsion systems for the use of space travel and interstellar travel. Such systems include warp drive, space drive and gravity-control schemes, and are propelled receiving the propulsive force derived from an interaction of the spacecraft with external fields. Spacecraft is propelled against space-time structure. This cannot be achieved by the conventional methods like chemical propulsion and electric propulsion. The e-book should be a valuable source of information for researchers interested in spaceflight and propulsion physics.

The classical theory of electrodynamics is based on Maxwell's equations and the Lorentz law of force. This book begins with a detailed analysis of these equations, and proceeds to examine their far-reaching consequences. The traditional approach to electrodynamics treats the ‘microscopic’ equations of Maxwell as fundamental, with electric charge and electric current as the sole sources of the electric and magnetic fields. Subsequently, polarization and magnetization are introduced into Maxwell's equations to account for the observed behavior of material media. The augmented equations, known as Maxwell's ‘macroscopic’ equations, are considered useful for practical applications, but are also ultimately reducible to the more fundamental ‘microscopic’ equations. In contrast, this textbook treats Maxwell's ‘macroscopic’ equations as the foundation of classical electrodynamics, and treats electrical charge, electrical current, polarization, and magnetization as the basic constituents of material media. The laws that govern the distribution of electromagnetic energy and momentum in space-time are also introduced in an early chapter, then discussed in great detail in subsequent chapters. The text presents several examples that demonstrate the solution of Maxwell's equations in diverse situations, aiming to enhance the reader’s understanding of the flow of energy and momentum as well as the distribution of force and torque throughout the matter-field systems under consideration. This revised edition of Field, Force, Energy and Momentum in Classical Electrodynamics features revised chapters, some of which include expanded discussions of fundamental concepts or alternative derivations of important formulas. The new edition also features three additional chapters covering Maxwell’s equations in spherical coordinates (Chapter 10), the author’s recent discussion (and streamlined proof) of the Optical Theorem (Chapter 13), and the fascinating connections between electromagnetism and Einstein’s special theory of relativity (Chapter 15). A new appendix covers the SI system of units that has been used throughout the book. The book is a useful textbook for physics majors studying classical electrodynamics. It also serves as a reference for industry professionals and academic faculty in the fields of optics and advanced electronics.

Dramatic developments in developing semiconductor device technology and nanotechnologies over the last decades has placed increasing demands on the fabrication and design of new electronic devices, It is now necessary to implement nanoscale gate geometries to achieve the highest performance standards in new devices. The need to understand and model the operation of nano-devices is, therefore, fundamental to future development and optimal design. From Semiclassical Semiconductors to Novel Spintronic Devices explains research related to new spintronic devices. This E-book: reports unique results on fabrication and the quite uncommon performance of Si-based solar cells with novel contacts chemically deposited on traditionally prepared semiconductor parts of the solar cell, details the mechanism behind efficient solar radiation conversion and the thermodynamics involved in theory and practice, discusses photonic condensate and relic radiation - exotic topics for theoretical astrophysics which also present possible power tools for achieving highly efficient energy conversion. This e-book is a useful review on the latest achievements in spintronic technology, characterization methods and nanoscaled active elements modeling for novel device design and applications The text within this e-book serves as a handy resource for graduate and PhD students as well as for professionals interested in the field of semiconductor device technology and modeling as well as spintronics.

Many beginners find physics to be a challenging subject to learn, and the difficulty extends to each branch of physics. It would be preferable for beginners to learn about different branches of physics as quickly as possible with a simplified understanding of the relevant mathematical relationships. After learning the position of each field in physics, it becomes easier to learn details of each field. In this book, special functions are not used to explain the solutions of equations. Fundamentals of Analysis In Physics summarizes the analytical methods in different fields of physics The book covers several known fields of physics and is a useful text for beginners in physics, college and university students, and working professionals who may not have a background in mathematics or physics. Key features: - Summarizes information about different fields in physics in 150 pages - Covers 7 different fields of physics (classical mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, relativistic quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics and more) in 7 separate chapters -Contains simple explanations without the use of special functions.

Global Neutron Calculations provides assessment guidelines for nuclear reactors in a step-by-step manner. The book introduces readers to principal physical ideas, the fundamentals of nuclear reactors including the theory of self-sustaining chain reactions and the associated physical and mathematical calculations. The required theory, the mathematical appparatus and, the applied methods are comprehensively explained in the first half of the book followed by details about the applications of the theory and methods. Readers will gain essential information about reactor control and surveillance, instrumentation and control, technology, fuel management, core design and the differences in reactor technologies. Global Neutron Calculations demystifies technical and mathematical knowledge about reactor design, operation, safety and analysis for engineers learning about one of mankind’s most controversial means of power generation.

Recent developments in gravity-superconductivity interactions have been summarized by several researchers. If gravitation has to be eventually reconciled with quantum mechanics, the macroscopic quantum character of superconductors might actually matter. This e-book attempts to answer one key question relating to gravity research: Is it possible to generate gravity-like fields by condensed-matter systems, in conditions accessible in a laboratory? General Relativity and lowest-order Quantum Gravity predict in this case very small emission rates, so these phenomena can only become relevant if some strong quantum effect occurs. This e-book is unique in its genre as it maintains a careful balance between different techniques and approaches in gravity and superconductivity research. It will be of interest for researchers in General Relativity and gravitation theories, in field theory, in experimental gravitation, in low-temperature and high-temperature superconductivity and in more applied fields such as telecommunications and beam propulsion technology.

The phenomenon of resistance to motion through a fluid is believed to be a function of fluid-wall interaction. This theory is based on the assumption that under certain conditions a real fluid does not usually slip on the wall in contact with it and displays laminar flow. This set of conditions is known as a ‘no slip boundary condition’. But if a fluid is passed alongside a wall, the drag reduction in the laminar flow region can be calculated. In Laminar Drag Reduction, the frictional drag of an internal or an external fluid flow along a certain kind of hydrophobic wall is investigated. An analytic approach towards the mechanism of drag reduction is employed using Navier-Stokes existence and smoothness equations. The experimental results presented in this book show that frictional drag of a fluid alongside this hydrophobic wall decreases in comparison with fluid flow along a conventional wall or surface. This form of laminar drag reduction represents a relatively new area of research, where the laminar flow can be controlled by microscopic surface modifications, allowing fluid flows to slip over a wall. Laminar Drag Reduction brings information about some interesting phenomena related to fluid slippage on a highly water-repellent surface. Readers, physics graduates and senior researchers alike, can benefit from the information presented in this book to tackle more challenging questions in fluid mechanics research.

A novel X-ray diffraction (XRD) theory is intensively revealed in this book. The theory will extend present XRD view from one dimension to two and three dimensions, enabling readers to see the invisible characteristics inside materials. The two-dimension (2D) theory involves two angular variables of the Bragg angle Θ and the angle α, introduced to show the location of sample with respect to incident X-ray beam. Such variables are used to compose a set of general mathematical models, which include a general diffraction intensity equation, an azimuth-angle equation and a common scan mode, as well as the Bragg equation, for both of the surface-and transmission-reflection treatments. This book stresses upon the X-ray analyses for natural and synthetic materials. This book is dedicated to create a bridge between basic texts and specialist works and should be helpful to scholars studying XRD theory.

Progress in Computational Physics is a new e-book series devoted to recent research trends in computational physics. It contains chapters contributed by outstanding experts of modeling of physical problems. The series focuses on interdisciplinary computational perspectives of current physical challenges, new numerical techniques for the solution of mathematical wave equations and describes certain real-world applications. With the help of powerful computers and sophisticated methods of numerical mathematics it is possible to simulate many ultramodern devices, e.g. photonic crystals structures, semiconductor nanostructures or fuel cell stacks devices, thus preventing expensive and longstanding design and optimization in the laboratories. In this book series, research manuscripts are shortened as single chapters and focus on one hot topic per volume. Engineers, physicists, meteorologists, etc. and applied mathematicians can benefit from the series content. Readers will get a deep and active insight into state-of-the art modeling and simulation techniques of ultra-modern devices and problems. Periodic structure problems arise quite often in many modern application areas like semiconductor nanostructures (e.g. quantum dots and nanocrystals), semiconductor superlattices, photonic crystals structures, meta materials or Bragg gratings of surface plasmon polariton waveguides. This first volume treats both mathematical analysis of periodic structure problems and state-of-the art numerical techniques, such as frequency domain methods, beam propagation methods and eigenmode expansion methods. Several chapters are devoted to concrete applications of periodic media simulation. The book is a useful resource for individuals interested in complex wave mechanics of unique physical structures.