MAU34402 Classical electrodynamics
| Module Code | MAU34402 |
|---|---|
| Module Title | Classical electrodynamics |
| Semester taught | Semester 2 |
| ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Module Lecturer | Prof. Stefan Sint |
| Module Prerequisites | MAU34402 Classical field theory |
Assessment Details
- This module is examined in a 2-hour examination at the end of Semester 2.
- Continuous assessment contributes 20% towards the overall mark.
- Re-assessment, if needed, consists of 100% exam.
Contact Hours
11 weeks of teaching with 3 lectures per week.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to
- Describe how to find the Fourier transform of a Green function and hence evaluate it for the equation of d'Alembert.
- Use the retarded Green function to solve the Maxwell equations for electromagnetic fields.
- Describe electromagnetic radiation, including plane-wave and spherical vector waves.
- Explain the concepts of electromagnetic potential and that of retarded time for charges undergoing acceleration.
- Analyse simple radiating systems, in which the electric dipole, magnetic dipole or electric quadrupole dominate.
- Show how the orthogonality and magnitude of electric and magnetic radiative fields may be established.
- Use expressions for the fields to evaluate the differential power radiated in a particular direction, and hence find the total power.
- Determine the motion of a radiating charged particle in the electric field of another charged particle or in a constant magnetic field.
Module Content
- Cartan formalism for Maxwell equations.
- Solving Maxwell's equations; Green functions for Laplacian and d'Alembertian.
- EM waves, polarization & Stokes parameters.
- Liénard-Wiechert potential; velocity, acceleration fields for moving charge.
- Radiation theory; velocity and acceleration fields in 3 dimensions.
- Non-relativistic Larmor formula and relativistic Liénard radiation formula.
- Linear & circular accelerated motion; radiation inconstant magnetic field.
- Angular distribution of relativistic radiation; electric & magnetic elements.
- Radiation during collisions, Bremsstrahlung.
- Introduction to radiation damping; scattering and absorption of radiation.
- Envoi: quantum chromodynamics and the unified electroweak interaction.
Recommended Reading
- Classical electrodynamics by J. David Jackson.
- Introduction to electrodynamics by David J. Griffiths.
- Electrodynamics courses at Stanford University: EM fields & EM radiation.