Summary

The goal of this course is the study of the physical consequences of Maxwell equations.

Content

I Maxwell equations: the laws of electrodynamics, differential and integral form of Maxwell equations, scalar and vector potential, gauge transformations, solutions of Maxwell equations using Green functions, Newmann and Dirichlet boundary conditions, vacuum solutions and solutions in the presence of charges and currents, retarded potentials, Liénard-Wiechert potentials, radiation emission by moving charges.

II Multipole expansion: electrostatics, magnetostatics, electrodynamics, dipole radiation.

III Electric and magnetic field in matter: derivation of macroscopic electrodynamic equations, continuity boundary conditions, waves in a medium, reflection and refraction of waves.

IV Special Relativity: Maxwell equations and the birth of relativity, Galilean and Lorentz transformations, four-vectors and tensor calculus, covariant form of Maxwell equations, relativistic particle dynamics.