Oxenius J. Kinetic theory of particles and photons. Theoretical foundations of Non-LTE plasma spectroscopy

Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, 1986. – 364 pp.
Many laboratory and astrophysical plasmas show deviations from local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE). This monograph develops non-LTE plasma spectroscopy as a kinetic theory of particles and photons, considering the radiation field as a photon gas whose distribution function (the radiation intensity) obeys a kinetic equation (the radiative transfer equation), just as the distribution functions of particles obey kinetic equations. Such a unified approach provides clear insight into the physics of non-LTE plasmas.Thermal Equilibrium and Detailed Balance.
Kinetic Equations of Particles.
The Kinetic Equation of Photons.
Moment Equations and Fluid Description.
H Theorem for Gases and Radiation.
Energy Exchange Between Matter and Radiation.
Momentum Exchange Between Matter and Radiation.
Appendices.
General Bibliography.Subject Index.