Classical Electrodynamics, 6 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Course offered for

• Applied Physics and Electrical Engineering, M Sc in Engineering
• Physics and Nanoscience, Master's programme
• Materials Science and Nanotechnology, Master's programme
• Applied Physics and Electrical Engineering - International, M Sc in Engineering

Entry requirements

Note: Admission requirements for non-programme students usually also include admission requirements for the programme and threshold requirements for progression within the programme, or corresponding.

Prerequisites

Intended learning outcomes

The course is intended to give a good knowledge about Maxwell’s equations, methods to solve these equations and various types of electromagnetic systems of interest for technological applications as well as from a fundamental point of view. The students are expected to attain a very deep and solid understanding of electromagnetism and to become well prepared for higher studies.
The learning goals are as follows:

• with the use of Maxwell’s equations on differential form be able so solve problems in electromagnetism.
• with the use of other basic, empirical, relations like the Biot Savart’s law or the generalized Coulomb’s law be able to determine the fields resulting from given sources in the form of charge or current densities.
• to be able to utilize the symmetry properties of the given problem to simplify the calculations.
• to be able to, in a proper way, use the material parameters, that modify the fields inside a medium compared to in vacuum.

Course content

Maxwell’s equations on differential form are derived and potentials are introduced. Fourier transforms are used extensively. Several different, complementary, methods are used to solve the Laplace and Poisson equations: separation of variables; conformal mapping; analytical functions; mirror images. Multipole expansions are discussed. The rest of the course can be divided into wave generation and wave propagation. In the first part the radiation from accelerating charges is treated. We introduce Lienard-Wichert potentials and antenna theory. We discuss how fields are generated in practical applications, like in the microwave oven. We study wave propagation in different materials and at interfaces, especially at metal surfaces. The concept electromagnetic normal mode is introduced. These normal modes are used to find the van-de-Waals and Casimir forces between objects. To link to one of the research fronts these techniques are applied to graphene. Finally, relativistic electrodynamics is treated and 4-vectors are introduced.

Teaching and working methods

Seminars presenting theory and problem solving sessions.

Examination

Grades

Department

Director of Studies or equivalent

Examiner

Education components

Course literature