Kappa Distributions

Part I: Introduction and Motivation.- 1. Introduction and Motivation.- Part II: New and Refined Observational Evidences of Kappa Distributions in Space Plasmas.- 2. Suprathermal Populations and Their Effects in Space Plasmas: Kappa vs. Maxwellian.- 3. Electron Kappa Distributions in the Solar Wind: Cause of the Acceleration or Consequence of the Expansion?.- 4. Diagnostics of Kappa Distributions from Optically Thin Solar Spectra.- 5. Non-thermal and Kappa Distributions in Solar Flare Radiative Signatures.- Part III: Physics Behind and Significance of Kappa Distributions in Plasma Astrophysics.- 6. Kappa Distribution Function: From Empirical to Physical Concepts.- 7. Kinetic Models of Wave-Electron Interaction in the Solar Corona and Wind.- 8. On 'Isobaric and Isentropic' Distribution Functions of Plasma Particles in the Heliosheath.- 9. Advanced Numerical Tools for Studying Waves and Instabilities in Kappa Distributed Plasmas.- 10. Advanced Interpretation ofWaves andInstabilities in Space Plasmas.- Part IV: Fundamental Aspects, Generalized Kappa Distributions, and Their Implications.- 11. Mathematical and Physical Characteristics of the Kappa Velocity Distribution.- 12. Non-equilibrium Statistical Mechanics of Electron Kappa Distribution.- 13. Regularized Kappa Distributions: Linear Dispersion and Stability Theory.- 14. Kappa Distributions and Entropy.- 15. From Standard Kappa to a Regularized Kappa, or Even More Generalized Kappa "Cookbook".- Part V: Concluding Remarks and Future Perspectives.- 16. Kappa Distributions: Concluding Remarks and Perspectives.

M. Lazar: Visiting Professor at the Centre for Mathematical Plasma Astrophysics, KU Leuven (2016-present), PhD degree in Physics - 2003, Research Associate at Theoretical Physics IV, Ruhr University Bochum (2010 - present), Refereed publications in plasma physics and astrophysics: approx. 115, H-index 24, Editor: ''Exploring the solar wind " (Intechopen, doi: 10.5772/2079), Editor Associate with Frontiers: Physics, Space Physics, Reviewer for: Astron. Astrophys., Astrophys. J., Solar Phys., Phys. Plasmas, Planet. Space Science, Astrophys. Space Science, J. Geophys. Res., etc.

H. Fichtner: PhD degree in Physics - 1991, Habilitation 2000, Research Associate at Department of Physics and Astronomy, Univ. of Calgary, Canada (1992-1993), Research Associate at the Institute of Physical Science and Technology, Univ. of Maryland, USA (1994-1995), Research Associate at the Institute for Astrophysics and Extraterrestrial Research, Univ. Bonn, Germany (1996-1997), ResearchScientist and Docent, Institute of Theoretical Physics IV, Ruhr-Univ. Bochum (1998-present), more than 140 refereed publications, H-index 28, Reviewer for: Astron. Astrophys., Astrophys. J., Nature Astronomy, Solar Phys., Phys. Plasmas, Planet. Space Science, Astrophys. Space Science, J. Geophys. Res., etc.

"The sixteen chapters of the present edited volume aim to summarize and review research over the past ~20 years concerning the origin and physical consequences of these kappa distributions ... . Methodology centres on application of the Vlasov-Maxwell equation set in both linear and quasi-linear approximations, with which it was a pleasure for this reviewer to become reacquainted via these more recent applications through perusal of this clear and well-produced monograph." (Stanley W. H. Cowley, The Observatory, Vol. 142 (1291), December, 2022)