Oscillations and Waves

An introduction to current research in general relativity, relativistic gas dynamics and cosmology, this book considers the different methods used in wave theory.

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This book emerged from a course given at Moscow State University and provides an introduction to current research in general relativity, relativistic gas dynamics, and cosmology, touching on the different methods used in wave theory. Each chapter begins with an elementary introduction and then proceeds to a more sophisticated discussion including a presentation of the current state of the art. Topics covered include: original results of and approaches to the mathematical theory of strong gravitational and electromagnetic fields in general relativity which reduce the problem to a single linear integral equation; the theory of black holes; wave propagation in the vicinity of black holes; the effect of strong external electromagnetic fields on gravitational and electromagnetic waves of short length; the theory of integrable nonlinear two-dimensional systems in theoretical physics; methods of relativistic and magneto-gas dynamics in cosmology including shock and acoustic waves; hydrodynamical effects due to the rotation of a pulsar in a closed binary system.