Solution of the comoving-frame equation of transfer in spherically symmetric flows. VI - Relativistic flows

Within the framework of special relativity, radiative transport equations describing exactly, i.e., to all orders in (v/c), the interaction of radiation and matter in spherically symmetric flows are derived. The full angle- and frequency-dependent transfer equation, frequency-dependent moment equations, and frequency-integrated moment equations are obtained. The frequency-integrated moment equations are shown to be precisely equivalent to the equations obtained from the four-divergence of the radiation stress-energy tensor, and all three sets of equations recover the results obtained earlier by Castor in the limit (v/c) much less than 1. A method of solution of the steady-flow transfer equation is discussed, and two illustrative examples are presented.