Close Menu

Electromagnetism and Optics

Semester 1

 

This course utilizes physical and mathematical principles to provide in-depth analysis of the behavior of electricity and magnetism in matter. It utilizes Maxwell’s equations to explain the properties of the electromagnetic wave and its interaction with matter. The principles and processes related to polarization, interference and diffraction are discussed along with their applications to the development of modern laser techniques. 

Syllabus: 

 

Electricity and Magnetism

  • Electric fields and magnetism in matter;
  • displacement current and charge conservation;
  • the electromagnetic waves and Maxwell’s equations;
  • the plane wave equation;
  • Poynting vector

Optics

  • Polarization of electromagnetic waves;
  • temporal and spatial coherence;
  • visibility of fringes;
  • diffraction grating;
  • Fresnel diffraction and the zone plate
Evaluation: 

 

The course assessment will be conducted as follows:

            Coursework

Two 1-hour course tests (each 20%)                            40%

            Final Examination

One 2-hour final examination                                         60%

Students will be expected to satisfy the examiners in both components.

Learning Objectives: 

 

At the end of the course, students should be able to:

 

  • apply the fundamental laws of electromagnetism to solve problems of electrostatics, magnetostatics and electromagnetic induction
  • solve problems relevant to interfaces between media with defined boundary conditions
  • use Maxwell’s equations to describe the behavior of plane electromagnetic waves in vacuum
  • describe states and methods of polarization, and analyze the polarization state of a light source
  • distinguish between spatial and temporal coherence, and apply equations for visibility of fringes for an interference pattern
  • state and apply equations describing diffraction patterns 
PHYS1411 and PHYS1412 and PHYS1421 and PHYS1422

 

Books:

Prescribed

  • Pedrotti, F. L.,Pedrotti, L. M. , and Pedrotti L. S., (2007), Introduction to Optics, 3rd Edition; Prentice Hall. ISBN 0-13-149933-5
  • Purcell, E. M., and Morin, D. J., (2012), Electricity and Magnetism, 3rd Edition; Cambridge University Press. ISBN-13: 978-1107014022

Highly Recommended

  • Halliday, D., Resnick, R., and Walker J., (2010), Fundamentals of Physics Extended, 9th Edition; Wiley. ISBN-13: 978-0470556535
  • Edminister, J. A. (2011) Schaum’s outline of electromagnetics, 3rd Edition, McGraw-Hill. ISBN 978-0-07-163235-5
  • Hecht, E., and Zajac, A., (2002), Optics, 4th Edition, Addison Wesley. ISBN 0805385665

Online Resources:

Course Code: 
PHYS2386
Credits: 
3 Credits
Level: 
Level 2

Department of Physics

Faculty of Science and Technology,
The University of the West Indies,
Mona, Jamaica
Kingston 7
Tel: (876) 927-2480
Fax: (876) 977-1595
physics@uwimona.edu.jm

Top of Page