This Advanced Study Institute (ASI) brought together two distinct ·"schools of approach" to Quantum Electrodynamics (QED) in the presence of intense, external, electromagnetic fields, in an effort to lay a joint foundation for a needed theoretical explanation of the sharp e+ e- "resonances" observed in the scattering of very heavy IOns. These (GSI/Darmstadt) experiments, whose history, latest reconfirmations, and most recent data were presented in three opening sessions (Bokemeyer, Koenig), show a smooth background of positron (e+) production, as a function of e+ kinetic energy. Superimposed upon this background are four very sharp peaks, of narrow widths (~ 30 KeV) and of clear experimental significance ('" 5 standard deviations). Most ofthese peaks correspond to sharp, essentially back-to-back electron-positron emission in the ions' center of mass. Following the approach of "supercritical" potential theory (SPT), where the total ionic charge unit Z satisfies Z > 137, it has been possible to provide a detailed and apparently correct understanding of the smooth e+ e- background; a coherent description of different facets of this approach, emphasizing the nature of the charged, supercritical vacuum, was described by the authors responsible for the invention of SPT (Greiner, Muller, Rafelski). In addition, predictions for related phenomena were outlined by other lecturers using the SPT approach (Bawin, Soff, SsJrensen).

Covers parametric instabilities, laser charged particle acceleration, surface plasmonics and free electron lasers in depth.

The NATO Advanced Study Institute on Quantum Electrodynamics of Strong Fields was held at Lahnstein on the Rhine from 15-26 June, 1981. The school was devoted to the advances, theoretical and exper imental, in the physics of strong fields made during the past decade. The topic of the first week was almost exclusively quantum electrodynamics, with discussions of symmetry breaking in the ground state, of the physics of heavy ion collisions and of precision tests of perturbative quantum electrodynamics. This was followed in the second week by the presentation of a broad range of other areas where strong fields occur, reaching from nuclear physics over quantum chromodynamics to gravitation theory and astrophysics. We were fortunate to be able to call on a body of lecturers who not only have made considerable personal contributions to these advances but who are also noted for their lecturing skills. Their dedication for their subject was readily transmitted to the stu dents resulting in a very successful school. This enthusiasm is also reflected in their contributions to these Proceedings which, as I believe, will in time become a standard source of reference for future work on the physics of strong fields and will help to spread the benefits of the school to a larger audience than those who were able to attend. I regret that the Soviet colleagues Ya. B. Zeldovich and V. S. Popov were unable to participate.

This book fills the need for a coherent work combining carefully reviewed articles into a comprehensive overview accessible to research groups and lecturers. Next to fundamental physics, contributions on topical medical and material science issues are included.

This volume contains the proceedings of the Topical course on Frontiers of Accelerator Technology, jointly organized by the CERN Accelerator School, the KEK Accelerator School and the US Particle Accelerator School. It was held at Maui, Hawaii, November 3-9, 1994. The purpose was to disseminate knowledge on the latest ideas and developments in the technology of particle accelerators by bringing together world known experts and younger scientists in the field. It was intended for individuals with professional interest in accelerator physics and technology, for graduate students, for post-docs and for those working in accelerator-based sciences.The motivation to conceive and build accelerators comes from a most fundamental need of man — to understand and control the world around us. With beams and their associated accelerators, scientists and engineers can gain understanding of the nature of matter and modify matter not possible by other means. Areas already influenced by the developments in accelerator technology are high energy and nuclear physics, atomic and molecular physics, condensed matter physics and the biological sciences. There is also a growing number of applications in medicine and industry. The program was as follows: lectures in superconductivity, magnets, RF, feedback, instrumentation, high power sources, beam stability and novel accelerator techniques; seminars on accelerator applications, the role of government and industry, and perspectives on future technology; round table: the high energy accelerator frontier; four short courses, each including 8 hours of lectures, problems and tutorials on superconducting magnets, superconducting rf, instrumentation and linacs.This book aims to summarize all the currently available knowledge on the technology driving the development of particle beams for science, medicine, and industry. It is the most up-to-date and unique collection of information on this technology presently available.