Professor
John Lacy
Office: RLM 16.332
Hours: TTh 11-12 & after class
Phone: (512) 471-1469
email
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Contents
The course will cover classical and quantum radiative processes
relevant to astrophysics. I want you to be able to find and use
formulas for calculations needed for your research, and to have a
conceptual understanding of where the formulas come from and what
they say.
Prerequisites
I assume you have seen Maxwell's equations and Schrodinger's
equation, and some simple solutions to these equations.
Texts
Rybicki & Lightman, "Radiative Processes in Astrophysics", covers
the first half of the course well and the second half not so well.
In the past, when the course covered only quantum processes,
Bransden & Joachain, "Physics of Atoms and Molecules" was used,
and it may be a useful supplement for the second half of the course.
Other texts on these topics include books by Jackson, Shu, Herzberg,
Mihalis, and Spitzer (and your undergrad E&M and quantum texts).
Preparation
Classes will concentrate on discussion of the material in
reading assignments, so it will be essential to do the reading
before it is discussed, and to come prepared with questions about
the topics in the reading. Class participation will count for 1/6
of the course grade.
Homework
A homework set will be assigned approximately every two weeks.
The homework will emphasize calculations. Some problems will come
from R&L, who give the answers in the back of the book. Work them
out yourselves, with help from other students and the book when
necessary, and hand in your own work. Homework will count for 1/3
of the grade.
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