The Fizeau effect in a flowing refractive medium is treated and extended to when light propagates at an angle to the medium velocity. The reflection optics with relativistically moving mirrors is examined. Using Stokes parameters, it is shown that polarization is preserved in Lorentz transformation between frames of reference.

The chapter commences with an introduction to the ideas of special relativity. A brief discussion of the life and work of Albert Einstein is presented. The propagation of light, relativistic time dilation, and length contraction followed by a simple explanation of the production of light by accelerating charges are presented.

The motion of single electrons in electromagnetic waves is determined. The propagation of light in plasma with many electrons is treated leading to ,for example, an expression for the refractive index of a plasma. Cherenkov radiation and incoherent and coherent Thomson scatter and Compton scatter of light are examined.

Equilibrium distribution functions are determined for fermions (e.g. electrons) and bosons (e.g. photons). The Saha–Boltzmann equation, the Maxwellian distribution, and relativistic Maxwell–Juttner distribution are derived. The relativistic equation of state for a distribution where particle velocities approach the speed of light is examined.

Radiative transfer, the Einstein A and B coefficients, emission and absorption coefficients, and Doppler line broadening are discussed. Continuum radiation emission coefficients are derived using the idea of virtual photon scattering. Inverse Compton scattering is treated in some detail. The radiation reaction force is examined.

A table of Lorentz invariant parameters and grouping of parameters is presented.

Relativistic collision kinematics is examined. Relativistic and non-relativistic collisional processes in plasmas are treated in detail.

The Lorentz invariance of the phase of light is discussed. The transformation between frames of electric and magnetic fields is determined. The transformation between frames of acceleration is determined. The effect on the angular range of light in a laboratory frame when emitted in a rapidly moving frame is discussed in some detail.

The chemical potential of electrons is discussed as a function of density and temperature, including effects of degeneracy and relativity.  It is shown that the chemical potential at all but the highest densities is negative.

The Lagrangian for a charge in electric and magnetic fields is presented. The acceleration of charges in particle accelerators, in laser-produced plasmas and in the production of cosmic rays is described. Emission from charges in magnetic fields is treated in some detail. Synchrotron radiation, undulators, and free electron laser radiation output is examined.

Expressions, plots, and asymptotic approximations for modified Bessel functions of the second kind used in the book.