Solar magnetic fields : polarized radiation diagnostics /

In his new monograph on the theory and measurement of solar magnetic fields, Stenflo includes a very useful chapter on instrumentation for solar magnetic field measurements (38 pages). The first chapter forms a good overview of solar magnetism, providing a modern glimpse of the field. Both the classical and quantum field theories of polarized radiation are treated, and the discussions of Zeeman and Hanle effects form the basis for the interpretation of measurements. To read this book requires a good knowledge of mathematics and the relevant parts of physics. However, its combination of theory and experimentation with a modern view of the situation in the field make it timely and very useful. Solar physics is likely entering a more quantitative and predictive stage, and such a book will assist in its transformation in this direction. Numerous journal references, useful symbol index; good subject index. There are some illustrations and line drawings. Upper-division undergraduate through faculty. K. W. Ogilvie; NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center