Coherent Radiation Processes in Electronic Systems

A comprehensive review isn preparation of a diverse class of electromagnetic radiation processes, which may occur in atomic systems, crystal lattices, and e ergetic lectron beams interacting with uniform or pe iodic electric and magnetic fields. We present an i troduction to his review, in the form of a survey of various fundamental electromagnetic radiation processes, from both the classical and qu ntum-field perspectives. Particular emphasis is given to coh rent radiation processes. We will be concerned not only with the production f c herent electromagnetic radiation, by means of various laser mechanisms, but also with the coherent xcitation of various electronic systems that are involved in th radiative transitions. For an accurate description of c herent radiation processes, it is usually necessary to pr vide a self-consistent treatment of the dynamics of the el ctronic subsystem and the electromagnetic radiation field.