The Weak Interaction in Nuclear, Particle, and Astrophysics

This book provides insight into concept of the weak interaction and its integration into the conceptual structure of elementary particle physics. It exhibits the important role of the weak interaction in nuclear, particle and astrophysics together with the close connection between these areas.

1. Elementary particles and interactions—overview 2. Classical theory of the weak interaction and foundations of nuclear beta decay 3. Nuclear structure and beta decay 4. Gauge theories 5. The Glashow—Weinberg—SaJam theory of the electroweak interaction 6. The weak interaction in the framework of grand unification theories 7. Neutrinos 8. Weak interaction and astrophysics 9. GUT and cosmology

Professional

This book forms a comprehensive presentation of the concepts of the weak interaction and its integration into modern theories of particle physics. It outlines the close connections between nuclear and particle physics, astrophysics and cosmology induced by the weak interaction. Particular attention is given to the treatment of neutrinos and to research in this field.