Particle Physics and Astrophysics. Current Viewpoints

and Survey I: Concepts from Particle Physics.- 1. Introduction.- 2. The Standard Model of Elektro-Weak and Strong Interaction.- 3. Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking.- 4. Topologically Stable Configurations (Defects).- 5. Transitions Between Different Ground States (Vacua).- 6. Restoration of Spontaneously Broken Symmetries at Finite Temperatures.- 7. Grand Unified Theories.- 8. Photon Splitting in a Strong Magnetic Field.- 9. Candidates for Dark Matter from Particle Physics.- References.- and Survey II: Concepts from Astrophysics and Cosmology.- 1. Stellar Evolution.- 2. The Standard Big Bang Model of the Universe.- 3. Formation of Large-Scale Structure in the Universe.- References.- Physics of Type II Supernova Explosions.- I. Introduction and Historical Remarks.- II. Some Observational Facts.- III. Presupernova Evolution of Massive Stars.- IV. Physics of Stellar Collapse, Shock Energy.- V. Neutrino Radiation.- VI. Basic Equations for Gravitational Collapse.- VII. Prompt and Delayed Explosions.- VIII. Conclusions and Supplementary Remarks.- Appendix A. Energy-Momentum Conservation.- Appendix B. Core Instabilities.- Appendix C. Diffusion Approximation, Flux-Limited Diffusion.- Appendix D. Plasma-Neutrino Process.- References.- Evidence for Black Holes.- I. Introduction.- II. Mechanics of Binary Systems.- III. Upper Bound for the Mass of a Neutron Star.- IV. Three Black Hole Candidates.- References.- Principles of Black Hole Energetics.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Model of Gravitational Collapse.- 3. Positive Energy Theorems.- 4. Hawking Effect.- 5. Calculations of T?v.- 6. Model of Back Reaction.- References.- Quantum Gravity Motivated Computer Simulations.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Regge-Einstein Action and Quantization.- 3. The Monte Carlo Method.- 4. A Simulation with theRegge-Einstein Action.- 5. Higher Derivative Gravity.- 6. De Sitter Lattice Gravity.- 7. Conclusions and Outlook.- Appendix A: Some Parameters and Constants.- Appendix B: Basic Geometry.- References.- Neutrino Oscillations and Their Damping.- 1. Particle Oscillations.- 2. Effects of a Medium.- 3. Adiabatic Case.- 4. Damping of Particle Oscillations.- References.- Phase Transitions as the Origin of Large Scale Structure in the Universe.- 1. Very Large Scale Structure and Gravity.- 2. Phase Transitions, Defects and Fluctuations.- References.