J. Slater, Transmission of Ultrashort Radio Waves. Translated under the editorship of Prof. Gvozdover, 344 pp., State Publishing House of Technical and Theoretical Literature, 1946. Print run 10,000 copies. Price 14 rubles 50 kopecks.

Slater’s book, published in America in 1942 but still retaining its value, is devoted mainly to problems of microwave transmission (which in the title are for some reason called ultrashort waves) from transmitter to antenna or from antenna to receiver; in addition, it briefly touches on the question of antenna radiation.

At the beginning of the book the usual theory of transmission lines is presented, in which sections of the line are regarded as oscillatory circuits. The exposition is original and interesting.

The second chapter sets forth Maxwell’s equations and gives their solution for plane waves; this chapter is of an auxiliary character.

The third chapter presents the theory of rectangular waveguides, with considerable attention paid to the physical side of the matter and to clarifying problems still awaiting solution.

The following chapter treats the theory of an arbitrary transmission line; of greatest interest is the discussion of inhomogeneities in waveguides and of the matching of waveguides of different cross sections.

Chapters 5 and 6 consider the radiation of simple and complex antennas, presenting new ideas and methods (the work of Shchelkunov, Stratton, and others).

Finally, the last chapter treats the question of connecting a coaxial line to a waveguide in order to excite the latter.

In treating the latest problems of radio engineering, the author skillfully combines the mathematical apparatus with an explanation of the physical picture of the phenomenon: in a number of cases he first considers the problem qualitatively, in purely physical terms, and only after clarifying the essence of the matter proceeds to the mathematical investigation.

Often the author poses new problems, indicating their practical or theoretical value.

The book will be very useful for those beginning to work with microwaves; but workers who already have experience, yet were brought up on the concepts of circuits and two-wire lines, will find in the book much new information and material for reflection.

The translation has been carried out satisfactorily; the book has been decently produced.

One may wish that books similar to Slater’s would appear among us more often and, most importantly, that their appearance would not lag so far behind the appearance of the original.

N. Malov