Studying the dynamics of a large number of particles interacting through long-range forces, commonly referred to as the "N-body problem," is a central aspect of many different branches of physics. In recent years, physicists have made significant advances in the development of fast N-body algorithms to deal efficiently with such complex problems. This book gives a thorough introduction to these so-called "tree methods," setting out the basic principles and giving many practical examples of their use. The authors assume no prior specialist knowledge, and they illustrate the techniques...

This book examines the physical phenomena which occur when light from short-pulse lasers interacts with material in gaseous, liquid or solid forms. The huge concentration of photon energy within the laser ensures that ordinary matter is torn apart within a few cycles, giving way to a host of exotic physical effects such as multiphoton ionization, particle acceleration by plasma waves, relativistic self-channeling and high harmonic generation. These processes are central to a number of emerging applications of high-power laser technology, such as hadron therapy, X-ray flash-lamps and...