Principles of Statistical Radiophysics 4

Principles of Statistical Radiophysics is concerned with the theory of random func­ tions (processes and fields) treated in close association with a number of applications in physics. Primarily, the book deals with radiophysics in its broadest sense, i.e., l viewed as a general theory of oscillations and waves of any physical nature • This translation is based on the second (two-volume) Russian edition. It appears in four volumes: 1. Elements of Random Process Theory 2. Correlation Theory of Random Processes 3. Elements of Random Fields 4. Wave Propagation Through Random Media. The four volumes are, naturally, to a large extent conceptually interconnected (being linked, for instance, by cross-references); yet for the advanced reader each of them might be of interest on its own. This motivated the division of the Principles into four separate volumes. The text is designed for graduate and postgraduate students majoring in radio­ physics, radio engineering, or other branches of physics and technology dealing with oscillations and waves (e.g., acoustics and optics). As a rule, early in their career these students face problems involving the use of random functions. The book pro­ vides a sound basis from which to understand and solve problems at this level. In addition, it paves the way for a more profound study of the mathematical theory, should it be necessary2. The reader is assumed to be familiar with probability theory.