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Curricular information is subject to change
Solve Maxwell's equations under a number of conditions including plane waves and radiation from bounded sources.
Master the relativistic formulation of Maxwell's equation.
Explain the concept of a gauge theory, in terms of continuous symmetries of fundamental interacting fields.
Applications include:
Interaction of electromagnetic waves with matter (radiation pressure, energy flux, linear/angular momentum conservation, charge conservation).
Lorentz transformations of electromagnetic fields between observers in relative motion: infinitesimal generators (boosts and rotations) in the 4x4 matrix representation, and exponential map.
Lorentz invariants and Doppler effect.
Parabolic Lorentz transformations.
Electromagnetic field due to a continuous distribution of charges and currents.
Action principles for the electromagnetic field.
Gauge theories for electromagnetic field coupled with complex scalar fields.
Interaction with the wavefunction of a quantum non-relativistic particle.
The double-slit experiment for electron diffraction and the Aharonov-Bohm effect.
Student Effort Type | Hours |
---|---|
Lectures | 30 |
Specified Learning Activities | 20 |
Autonomous Student Learning | 60 |
Total | 110 |
Students are required to know vector integral and differential calculus (ACM20150 or equivalent), and they must have some familiarity with electrostatics or electrodynamics, at least from the most basic instances of Maxwell's equations.
Learning Recommendations:It is recommended that students have a firm background in vector calculus.
It would be desirable that students had a knowledge of action principles, through courses such as ACM30010 or equivalent.
Finally, some familiarity with Fourier transforms and/or the theory of distributions (e.g., the Dirac delta distribution) would be useful.
Description | Timing | Component Scale | % of Final Grade | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Examination: End of semester Exam | 2 hour End of Trimester Exam | No | Standard conversion grade scale 40% | No | 60 |
Continuous Assessment: Take-home assignments and in-class tests | Varies over the Trimester | n/a | Standard conversion grade scale 40% | No | 40 |
Resit In | Terminal Exam |
---|---|
Spring | Yes - 2 Hour |
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
Not yet recorded.
Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks | Fri 13:00 - 13:50 |
Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks | Tues 12:00 - 12:50 |
Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks | Wed 13:00 - 13:50 |