Astrophysicists have developed several very different methodologies for solving the radiative transfer equation. An Introduction to Radiative Transfer presents these techniques as applied to stellar atmospheres, planetary nebulae, supernovae, and other objects with similar geometrical and physical conditions. Accurate methods, fast methods, probabilistic methods and approximate methods are all explained, including the latest and most advanced techniques. The book includes the different techniques used for computing line profiles, polarization due to resonance line scattering, polarization in magnetic media and similar phenomena. Exercises at the end of each chapter enable these methods to be put into practice, and enhance understanding of the subject. This 2001 book will be valuable to graduates, postgraduates and researchers in astrophysics.

‘In the second half of the last century, a series of excellent books on radiative transport have been written … In spite of these works, there existed a need for a comprehensive text book covering basic principles of radiative transport theory and giving an overview of different methods of solving the radiative transport equations. The above comprehensive and authoritative book has substantially filled these gaps. The above work represents a very good overview of exact, approximate and statistical (probabilistic) methods - both conventional and modern - for solving the radiative transport equations.’

M. S. Ramachandra Source: Sterne and Weltruum

‘… a convenient graduate level textbook that can also serve as a handbook to professional astrophysicists in the field of the radiative transfer. It provides basic definitions, detailed derivations of equations and descriptions of methods of solving them under different physical conditions relevant to astrophysics.’

Vladimir Cadez Source: Zbl. MATH

‘It will find applications in advanced undergraduate or postgraduate astrophysics courses, and provide an essential reference in every astronomy library.’

C. Simon Jeffery Source: The Observatory