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Department of Physics

18004

18004  Electromagnetism     

Course Webpage: https://eclass.uoa.gr/courses/PHYS176/

Course Content

  • Electrostatics-magnetostatics selected topics: Laplace Poisson equations, uniqueness of solutions (Dirichlet, Neumann boundary conditions). Green’s functions, methods for finding Green’s functions, boundary value problems, conformal transformations.
  • Introduction to the Finite-Difference Time-Domain method (FDTD).
  • Maxwell’s equations: Covariance of Lorentz transformations, parity, time reversal. Symmetry duality, magnetic monopole, quantum of electric charge. Gauge transformations. Wave equations, plane waves, polarization. Reflection, refraction in a plane boundary. Metallic waveguides.
  • Elements of dielectric waveguides theory.
  • Special theory of relativity and electromagnetism: Lagrangian description of electromagnetic field and movement of charged particles in external e/m field. Symmetries, conservation laws, energy-momentum tensor, helicity of e/m field. Movement of point charge in homogeneous electric and magnetic field. Invariant Green’s functions.
  • Electromagnetic field of moving charges and localized sources: Lienard-Wierchert dynamics. Electromagnetic field and radiation of moving charge. Total radiated energy, Larmor formula. Angle distribution and distribution vs. the frequency of radiated energy. Synchroton radiation, Cerenkov radiation. Thomson scattering, retarded radiation. Radiation of localized sources. Dipole radiation, multipoles. Simple antennas.
  • Elements of a plasma and models of equivalent materials: Basic characteristic, plasma oscillations. Plasma in external magnetic field. Alfven waves. Druce and Lorentz models, dispersion in Drude and Lorentz media, phase and group velocity in Drude and Lorentz media, Kramers-Kronig relations.
  • Magnetic, dielectric, and negative refractive index metamaterials: Equivalent dielectric constant (ε), magnetic constant (μ), και refractive index (n), sign of (real part of) refractive index when Re{ε} < 0 and Re{μ} < 0, complex refractive index, artificial media with Re{ε} < 0 or Re{μ} < 0, “magnetic” plasma, metamaterials with negative refractive index, elements of nanophotonics, diffraction limit, near field, “perfect” focusing of light in negative refractive index media.
  • Nanoplasmonic and nanophotonic circuits.
  • “Slow” and “fast” light.
  • Basic lasers theory.
  • Temporal coupled-mode theory.