Complex plasmas differ from traditional plasmas in many ways: there are low-temperature high pressure systems containing nanometer to micrometer size particles which may be highly charged and strongly interacting. The particles may be chamically reacting or be in contact with solid surfaces, and the electrons may show quantum behaviour. These interesting properties have led to many applications of complex plasmas in technology, medicine and science. Yet complex plasmas are extremely complicated, both experimentally and theoretically, and require a variety of new approaches which go beyond standard plasma physics courses. This book fills this gap presenting an introduction to theory, experiment and computer simulation in this field. Based on tutorial lectures at a very successful recent Summer Institute, the presentation is ideally suited for graduate students, plasma physicists and experienced undergraduates.

Starting with a self-contained overview of atomic collision theory, this monograph looks at recent developments in R-matrix theory and its applications to a range of atomic, molecular and optical processes, including electron and photon collisions with atoms.

This book discusses atomic structure, the physics of atomic collision, photoexcitation, photoionization, Laser cooling and trapping, Bose Einstein condensation and advanced applications of AMP in astronomy, astrophysics, fusion, biology and nanotechnology.