Electricity, Magnetism and Optics

Overview

Electrostatics and magnetostatics.
Coulomb, Gauss, Faraday, Ampère, Lenz and Lorentz laws
Wave solution of the Maxwell’s equations in vacuum and the Poynting vector.
Polarisation of E.M. waves and behaviour at plane interfaces.
Propagation of light in media (isotropic dielectrics). Faraday and Kerr effects.
Temporal and spatial coherence of light. Interference and diffraction
Geometrical optics and matrix description of optic elements
Optical cavities and laser action.

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to:

Define and describe the fundamental laws of electricity and magnetism, understand their physical significance, and apply them to well-defined physical problems.

Formulate and manipulate Maxwell’s equations to obtain electromagnetic wave equations, solving them for propagation in vacuum, isotropic media, and at interfaces.

Explain and formulate examples of optical phenomena such as interference, diffraction, Faraday and Kerr effects, laser action, and manipulation of light by optical components.

Plan, execute and report the results of an experiment or investigation, and compare results critically with predictions from theory

Skills

Problem solving. Searching for and evaluating information from a range of sources. Written communication of scientific concepts in a clear and concise manner. Working independently and meeting deadlines.

Assessment

None.