The classical theory of electrodynamics is based on Maxwell's equations and the Lorentz law of force. This book begins with a detailed analysis of these equations, and proceeds to examine their far-reaching consequences. The traditional approach to electrodynamics treats the ‘microscopic’ equations of Maxwell as fundamental, with electric charge and electric current as the sole sources of the electric and magnetic fields. Subsequently, polarization and magnetization are introduced into Maxwell's equations to account for the observed behavior of material media. The augmented equations, known as Maxwell's ‘macroscopic’ equations, are considered useful for practical applications, but are also ultimately reducible to the more fundamental ‘microscopic’ equations. In contrast, this textbook treats Maxwell's ‘macroscopic’ equations as the foundation of classical electrodynamics, and treats electrical charge, electrical current, polarization, and magnetization as the basic constituents of material media. The laws that govern the distribution of electromagnetic energy and momentum in space-time are also introduced in an early chapter, then discussed in great detail in subsequent chapters. The text presents several examples that demonstrate the solution of Maxwell's equations in diverse situations, aiming to enhance the reader’s understanding of the flow of energy and momentum as well as the distribution of force and torque throughout the matter-field systems under consideration. This revised edition of Field, Force, Energy and Momentum in Classical Electrodynamics features revised chapters, some of which include expanded discussions of fundamental concepts or alternative derivations of important formulas. The new edition also features three additional chapters covering Maxwell’s equations in spherical coordinates (Chapter 10), the author’s recent discussion (and streamlined proof) of the Optical Theorem (Chapter 13), and the fascinating connections between electromagnetism and Einstein’s special theory of relativity (Chapter 15). A new appendix covers the SI system of units that has been used throughout the book. The book is a useful textbook for physics majors studying classical electrodynamics. It also serves as a reference for industry professionals and academic faculty in the fields of optics and advanced electronics.

"The classical theory of electrodynamics is based on Maxwell's equations and the Lorentz law of force. This book begins with a detailed analysis of these equations, and proceeds to examine their far-reaching consequences. The traditional approach to electr"

This excellent text covers a year's course. Topics include vectors D and H inside matter, conservation laws for energy, momentum, invariance, form invariance, covariance in special relativity, and more.

Classical Electrodynamics captures Schwinger's inimitable lecturing style, in which everything flows inexorably from what has gone before. Novel elements of the approach include the immediate inference of Maxwell's equations from Coulomb's law and (Galilean) relativity, the use of action and stationary principles, the central role of Green's functions both in statics and dynamics, and, throughout, the integration of mathematics and physics. Thus, physical problems in electrostatics are used to develop the properties of Bessel functions and spherical harmonics. The latter portion of the book is devoted to radiation, with rather complete treatments of synchrotron radiation and diffraction, and the formulation of the mode decomposition for waveguides and scattering. Consequently, the book provides the student with a thorough grounding in electrodynamics in particular, and in classical field theory in general, subjects with enormous practical applications, and which are essential prerequisites for the study of quantum field theory.An essential resource for both physicists and their students, the book includes a ?Reader's Guide,? which describes the major themes in each chapter, suggests a possible path through the book, and identifies topics for inclusion in, and exclusion from, a given course, depending on the instructor's preference. Carefully constructed problems complement the material of the text, and introduce new topics. The book should be of great value to all physicists, from first-year graduate students to senior researchers, and to all those interested in electrodynamics, field theory, and mathematical physics.The text for the graduate classical electrodynamics course was left unfinished upon Julian Schwinger's death in 1994, but was completed by his coauthors, who have brilliantly recreated the excitement of Schwinger's novel approach.

Light-matter interaction is pervasive throughout the disciplines of optical and atomic physics, condensed matter physics, electrical engineering, and now increasingly in biology and medicine with frequency and length scales extending over many orders of magnitude. Deep earth and sea communications use frequencies of a few tens of Hz, and X-ray imaging requires sources oscillating at hundreds of petaHz. This book provides advanced undergraduates, graduate students and researchers from diverse disciplines with the principal tools required to understand and contribute to rapidly advancing developments in light-matter interaction, centred at optical frequencies and length scales from a few hundred nanometres to a few hundredths of a nanometre. This book deploys an arsenal of powerful analytic tools to render this multidisciplinary subject in unique form, not encountered in standard Physics or Electrical Engineering text books. This new edition has been substantially expanded with almost 200 pages of new material. Several new and extended chapters treat momentum flow between fields and matter, metamaterials, and atom-optical forces applied to atomic and molecular cooling and trapping.

This book covers the basic principles of both fusion and plasma physics, examining their combined application for driving controlled thermonuclear energy. The author begins by explaining the underlying scientific theory, and then goes on to explore the nuances of deployment within thermonuclear reactors. The potential for these technologies to help shape the new generation of clean energy is examined in-depth, encompassing perspectives both highlighting benefits, and warning of challenges associated with the nuclear fusion pathway. The associated computer code and numerical analysis are included in the book. No prior knowledge of plasma physics or fusion is required.

"This is a concise, beginning graduate-level textbook on classical electromagnetism, the branch of physics that describes the interaction of electric currents or fields and magnetic fields. Electromagnetism (also called electrodynamics) is one of the pillars of modern physics and, as such, of the modern physics curriculum, with courses on electromagnetism required at the undergraduate and graduate levels. These courses traditionally proceed in a quasi-historical fashion, starting from equations and laws that were first formulated in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and still form the foundations of our understanding of electromagnetism. However, as Robert Wald argues, teaching in this way can be imprecise and tends to promote outdated ways of thinking about the subject. This book rethinks how electromagnetism is presented at the graduate level, offering a corrective that aims to bring teaching up to date with our more modern understanding of the topic. The book begins by debunking four common misconceptions, or "myths," that can hinder a deep conceptual understanding of electromagnetism. Wald then proceeds through the major topics first-year grad courses (and textbooks) in electromagnetism typically cover, including electrostatics, dielectrics, magnetostatics, electrodynamics, geometric optics, special relativity, gauge theory, and point charge. Wald's aim throughout is to explain to students how to think about electromagnetism from a modern and mathematically precise perspective, formulating all the key conceptual ideas and results in the field clearly and concisely, while forgoing extensive collections of examples and applications. The book could be used as the basis for or as a supplement to a course, or for self-study by students seeking a deeper understanding than traditional courses and books offer"--