This book introduces and reviews both theory and applications of polarizational bremsstrahlung, i.e. the electromagnetic radiation emitted during collisions of charged particles with structured, thus polarizable targets, such as atoms, molecules and clusters. The subject, following the first experimental evidence a few decades ago, has gained importance through a number of modern applications. Thus, the study of several radiative mechanisms is expected to lead to the design of novel light sources, operating in various parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. Conversely, the analysis of the spectral and angular distribution of the photon emission constitutes a new tool for extracting information on the interaction of the colliding particles, and on their internal structure and dynamical properties. Last but not least, accurate quantitative descriptions of the photon emission processes determine the radiative energy losses of particles in various media, thereby providing essential information required for e.g. plasma diagnostics as well as astrophysical and medical applications (such as radiation therapy). This book primarily addresses graduate students and researchers with a background in atomic, molecular, optical or plasma physics, but will also be of benefit to anyone wishing to enter the field.

This book was written by a group of authors and provides a systematic dis cussion of questions related to bremsstrahlung in many-particle systems. A number of new results have recently been obtained in this area which require a fundamental revision of the previously existing traditional concepts of bremsstrahlung. This ap plies both to complicated atoms containing a large number of electrons and to the additional bremsstrahlung in a system of many particles forming a medium. In fact, the traditional approach was rigorously applicable only either to isolated "structureless" particles (e. g. , to the emission of an electron on a proton) or to par ticles radiating in the limit of extremely high frequencies. Polarization effects (either polarization of an atom itself by an incident particle or polarization of the medium surrounding an atomic particle) have a significant effect in the practically important optical and x-ray frequency ranges and sometimes even predominate. The first effect has come to be known as polarization atomic (or dynamic) bremsstrahlung and the second, as polarization transition bremsstrahlung. The au thors of this book use a single term: polarization bremsstrahlung. It seems that, in contrast to earlier ideas on the subject, bremsstrahlung during collisions of heavy incident particles with atoms is by no means small and is entirely caused by polar ization effects.

The book is devoted to the modern theory and experimental manifestation of Polarization Bremsstrahlung (PB) which arises due to scattering of charged particles from various targets: atoms, nanostructures (including atomic clusters, nanoparticle in dielectric matrix, fullerens, graphene-like two-dimensional atomic structure) and in condensed matter (monocrystals, polycrystals, partially ordered crystals and amorphous matter) The present book addresses mainly researchers interested in the radiative processes during the interaction between fast particles and matter. It also will be useful for post-graduate students specializing in radiation physics and related fields.

Ch. 1. Introduction. 1.1. General introduction. 1.2. Short historical note. 1.3. Notations and definitions -- ch. 2. Classical and semiclassical considerations on the bremsstrahlung process. 2.1. Electron-nucleus bremsstrahlung. 2.2. Electron-electron bremsstrahlung. 2.3. Weizsäcker-Williams method of virtual quanta -- ch. 3. Theory of the elementary process of electron-nucleus bremsstrahlung. 3.1. Introduction. 3.2. Bremsstrahlung cross section. 3.3. Born approximation (Bethe-Heitler formula). 3.4. Approximations with the Sommerfeld-Maue wave function. 3.5. Calculation using relativistic partial-wave expansions. 3.6. Spin-dependent cross section and bremsstrahlung asymmetry. 3.7. Bremsstrahlung polarization. 3.8. Radiative corrections to bremsstrahlung -- ch. 4. Experiments on the elementary process of electron-nucleus bremsstrahlung. 4.1. Survey of experimental devices. 4.2. Electron-photon coincidence experiments without regard to polarization variables. 4.3. Electron-photon coincidence experiments including polarization variables. 4.4. Tagged photons -- ch. 5. Theory of the elementary process of electron-electron bremsstrahlung. 5.1. Introduction. 5.2. Kinematics. 5.3. Cross section. 5.4. Bremsstrahlung in the field of bound electrons -- ch. 6. Experiments on the elementary process of electron-electron bremsstrahlung. 6.1. Electron-photon coincidence experiments without regard to polarization variables. 6.2. Electron-photon coincidence experiments including polarization variables -- ch. 7. Some remarks on integrated cross sections and further bremsstrahlung processes. 7.1. Integrated cross sections. 7.2. Positron-nucleus bremsstrahlung. 7.3. Electron-positron bremsstrahlung. 7.4. Two-photon bremsstrahlung. 7.5. Polarization bremsstrahlung. 7.6. Crystalline targets: coherent bremsstrahlung. 7.7. Bremsstrahlung from heavy particles. 7.8. Bremsstrahlung in nuclear decays. 7.9. Bremsstrahlung in magnetic fields. 7.10. Stimulated bremsstrahlung

This review presents results of recent investigations concerning the polarization and interference effects that arise in radiation processes such as Bremsstrahlung on targets with electron core, photo-effects in bichromatic electromagnetic field, femtosecond photon echo in nanocrystals, and associated phenomena. Some ideas are applied to the calculation of the cross section of atomic ionization by electron impact in the Born-Compton approximation. The results can be used for analyzing the radiation phenomena in plasmas in a wide temperature range including storage ring plasma.