This book describes the application of a novel technology for beam instrumentation and luminosity measurement and first results on a cutting edge technology potentially to be used after the upgrade of the Large Hadron Collider to higher luminosity. It presents a unique diamond-based luminometer with a detailed performance study. The online bunch-by-bunch luminosity measurements provide an invaluable feedback to the Collider for beam optimisation and for the understanding of beam dynamics. The precision of the luminosity measurement is crucial for all physics analyses. This book highlights the Van der Meer method, which is used for the calibration of the luminometers of the CMS (Compact Muon Solenoid) experiment, and describes the estimate of systematic uncertainties, e.g. due to radiation damage of sensors and electronics and uncertainties of beam parameters. For the future high-luminosity upgrade of the collider, sapphire sensors are investigated in a test beam. It is demonstrated for the first time that sapphire sensors can be used as single particle detectors. A model for the charge transport in sapphire is developed and successfully applied.

Chaisson addresses some of the most basic issues we can contemplate: the origin of matter and the origin of life, and the ways matter, life, and radiation interact and change with time. He designs for us an expansive yet intricate model depicting the origin and evolution of all material structures.

The diversity of stellar death is revealed in the energy, velocity and geometry of the explosion debris ("ejecta''). Using multi-wavelength observations of gamma-ray burst (GRB) afterglows I show that GRBs, arising from the death of massive stars, are marked by relativistic, collimated ejecta ("jets'') with a wide range of opening angles. These results suggest that various cosmic explosions are powered by a common energy source, an "engine'' (possibly an accreting stellar-mass black hole), with their diverse appearances determined solely by the variable high velocity output. On the other hand, using radio observations I show that local type Ibc core-collapse supernovae generally lack relativistic ejecta and are therefore not powered by engines. Instead, the highest velocity debris in these sources, typically with a velocity lower than 100,000 km/sec, are produced in the (effectively) spherical ejection of the stellar envelope. The relative rates of engine- and collapse-powered explosions suggest that the former account for only a small fraction of the stellar death rate. Using the first radio and submillimeter observations of GRB hosts, I show that some are extreme starburst galaxies with the bursts directly associated with the regions of most intense star formation. I suggest, by comparison to other well-studied samples, that GRBs preferentially occur in sub-luminous, low mass galaxies, undergoing the early stages of a starburst process. If confirmed with future observations, this trend will place GRBs in the forefront of star formation and galaxy evolution studies.

Thoroughly revised and expanded throughout, the new edition is a graduate-level text and reference book on gaseous nebulae, nova and supernova remnants. Much of the new data and new images are from the Hubble Space Telescope with two wholly new chapters being added along with other new features. The previous edition which was tried and tested for thirty years has now been succeeded by a revised, updated, larger edition, which will be valuable to anyone seriously interested in astrophysics.