On completion of this subject the student should be able to:
1. Give a relativistic explanation of magnetic fields;
2. Explain in mathematical terms the propagation of electromagnetic waves in non-conducting and conducting media;
3. Apply given theoretical methods to practical systems, such as waveguides and antennas.
Inertial reference frames; Galilean transformations, axioms of special relativity; The Lorentz transformation; The Fitzgerald contraction; Time dilation; Transformation of velocity; Relativistic mass, momentum and force; Four-vectors, the four-momentum; Relativistic energy; Invariance of electric charge; The four-current density; The operator and wave equations; Charge conservation; Force fields of a moving point charge, the Lorentz force Maxwell's equations in differential and integral forms; Electric waves in non-conducting media; Vector and scalar potentials; Retarded potentials; Energy flow in plane waves, pointing vector; Reflection and refraction for non-conducting media; Phase change and polarisation; Electric waves in conducting media; Reflection at a metallic surface, skin effect; Application to the hollow rectangular waveguide; TE modes; Signal and group velocities; Attenuation; Radiation field of accelerated point charge; The single half-wavelength antenna; Brief treatment of antenna arrays.
Grant, I. S., Phillips, W. R., Electromagnetism, Wiley, Chichester, USA, 1978.
Lorrain, P., Corson, D. P., Lorrain, F., Electromagnetic fields and waves, W. H. Freeman, San Francisco, USA, 1988.
Continuous assessment 40%
Written examination 60% (1×3 hrs.)
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