Diffusion-wave fields

This book develops a unified mathematical framework for treating a wide variety of diffusion-related periodic phenomena in such areas as heat transfer, electrical conduction, and light scattering. Deriving and using Green functions in one and higher dimensions to provide a unified approach, the author develops the properties of diffusion-wave fields first for the well-studied case of thermal-wave fields and then applies the methods to nonthermal fields. The presentation, largely in the form of case studies directly applicable in a wide range of experimental methodologies, is intended for graduate students, professional scientists and engineers working in fields that involve diffusion waves, including thermal-wave, photothermal and photoacoustic spectroscopies, non-destructive evaluation, semiconductor and electronic device carrier plasma-wave characterization, and biomedical laser tissue diffuse photon density-wave diagnostics. The treatment requires no more mathematical background than a course in advanced calculus and mathematical analysis. Problems at the ends of each chapter complement the main text and some serve to extend the material to current research.

Contents

• Green Functions of One-Dimensional Thermal-Wave Fields
• Thermal Wave Fields in One Dimension
• Green Functions in Three- and Two-Dimensional Cartesian Thermal-Wave Fields
• Cartesian Thermal-Wave Fields in Three and Two Dimensions
• Green Functions of Thermal-Wave Fields in Cylindrical Coordinates
• Thermal-Wave Fields in Cylindrical Coordinates
• Green Functions of Thermal-Wave Fields in Spherical Coordinates
• Thermal-Wave Fields in Spherical Coorindates
• Carrier-Density-Wave Fields in Electronic Solids/Semiconductors
• Diffuse Photon Density Wave Fields in Turbid Media and Tissue