Physics 425: Astrophysics III
Prerequisites: Physics 325,326; Mathematics 335; senior standing.
To be taught, fall 1999; offered every fall
This course presents the physics underlying astrophysical
radiation processes. We will cover radiative transfer, basic
electromagnetic physics snd special relativity relevant to radiation.
We will specialize to bremsstrahlung, synchrotron radiation, Compton
scattering and pair plasmas. Astrophysical applications will be
presented as we go along.
The image shows a part of the Cygnus Loop supernova remnant; the
colors indicate emission from different elements. HST image, from
Nemiroff & Bonnell.
Text: Radiatve Processes in Astrophysics, Rybicki & Lightman.
In addition: Notes related to class lectures will appear on this site.
Course outline and schedule
Section I: BASICS OF RADIATION
Weeks 1, 2
Radiative Transfer
-
Radiation in thermal equilibrium
-
radiation pressure
-
Notes: chapter 1
Section II: ELECTROMAGNETICS
Weeks 3-6
- Review of Maxwell & EM waves
- Notes:
units ;
SI constants ;
CGS constants ;
Maxwell
- EM Potentials
- Retarded Potentials
-
Single particle radiation
-
Notes: chapter 3
- Thompson scattering
- Radiated Spectra
Section III. SPECTRAL LINES
Weeks 7,8
- Einstein and collision coefficients
-
Notes: chapter 4
- Oscillator Strengths
- Saha equation, 21 cm line
-
Notes: chapter 5
- Nebular lines
-
Notes: chapter 6
Section IV: PLASMA PROCESSES
Weeks 9,10
- Coulomb Scattering
-
Notes: chapter 7
- Thermal Bremsstrahlung
-
Notes: chapter 8
- Plasmas: basics
-
Notes: chapter 9
- Plasma Propagation
Section V: SPECIAL RELATIVITY
Weeks 11,12
- Basics, 4-vectors
- Electromagnetics
- Radiation
Section VI: RELATIVISTIC RADIATION PHYSICS
Weeks 13, 14
- Synchrotron Radiation
-
Notes: chapter 10
- Inverse Compton Radiation
- Pair Plasmas
-
Notes: chapter 11
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