Basic Information |
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Class Meetings: |
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Tuesday, Thursday 11:00 -12:20 pm Rm B129W |
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Instructor: |
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Joseph Schechter, Rm 315, x5968 |
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Office Hours: |
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Tuesday, Thursday 2:00 – 3:00 pm (Note that I will be in most afternoons) |
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Books: |
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The books placed on reserve in the library will include: |
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D.J. Griffiths, Introduction to Electrodynamics |
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J.D. Jackson, Classical Electrodynamics |
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L.D. Landau and E.M. Lifshitz, The Classical Theory of Fields |
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L.D. Landau and E.M. Lifshitz, Electrodynamics of Continuous Media |
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Peskin and Schroeder, Quantum Field Theory |
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R. Rajaraman, Solitons and Instantons |
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F. Rohrlich, Classical Charged Particles |
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J.J. Sakurai, Advanced Quantum Mechanics |
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B. Zwiebach, A First Course in String Theory |
Note : This is one of the “core” courses required for all Ph.D. students.
Course Description
A primary goal is to broaden the background of students in various specialized areas by exposure to a range of topics in electromagnetism and classical field theories.
We will start with a discussion of some topics in electrodynamics involving “matter”, including consideration of interesting microscopic phenomena. This will also lead to an introduction to the soliton approach. Then we will take up some aspects of radiation theory like “radiation reaction”. This will demonstrate the limits of applicability of the classical theory. Nevertheless the classical approach is very important both as a preliminary for the quantum theory of fields and for treating certain microscopic systems which display spontaneous breakdown of symmetry. We will illustrate these features by the treatment of the electromagnetic field as a mechanical system and generalizations. In the 21 st Century, even students who don't specialize in elementary particle physics should know that the Maxwell theory is incomplete and how it fits into the well-established larger Electroweak Theory. Historically, Electricity and Magnetism were unified around 1870; they were unified with the “weak” interaction around 1970. Many speculations about further unification with the “strong” interactions and with gravity exist but at present there is no experimental evidence for any of them. Nevertheless they are important for researchers. We will give a taste of such further unification if time is available.
Grading
Appropriate exercises and problems will be assigned to be handed in. Although you may discuss these with others, you must do the work yourself. A small project with a topic chosen by the student will also be required. There will be, it is hoped, sufficient flexibility to allow for different student backgrounds and interests.