Saas-Fee Lecture Notes: Physics of Lyman Alpha Radiative Transfer

TL;DR

These lecture notes provide an in-depth overview of the physics behind Lyman alpha radiative transfer, including emission processes and detailed derivations, aimed at enhancing understanding of this complex astrophysical phenomenon.

Contribution

The notes compile detailed derivations and insights into Lyman alpha radiative processes, serving as a comprehensive educational resource for students and researchers.

Findings

Clarification of Lyman alpha emission mechanisms

Detailed derivations of radiative transfer equations

Insights into physical processes governing Lyman alpha radiation

Abstract

Lecture notes for 8 lectures on the `Physics of Lyman alpha Radiative Transfer', given at the 46th Saas-Fee winter school held in Les Diablerets, Switzerland on March 13-19 2016. These lectures aimed at offering basic insights into Lyman alpha (Lya) radiative processes including emission processes and Lya radiative transfer, and highlighting some of the physics associated with these processes. The notes include derivations in greater detail than what was discussed during the lectures.