scientific article; zbMATH DE number 1977802

Publication date 9 September 2003

interaction of radiation and matter theory of electromagnetism theory of relativity in electromagnetism

Introductory exposition (textbooks, tutorial papers, etc.) pertaining to optics and electromagnetic theory (78-01) General topics in optics and electromagnetic theory (78Axx)

Review text

The well written book (second edition) is evolved out of lectures that the author has given for students. The reader can find some additional topics which are not included in general in other textbooks on classical electromagnetism, e.g. the special relativity theory in electromagnetism and the interaction of radiation with matter. The author prefers a detailed derivation of the mathematical calculations. Thus, the reader has not to fill up missing steps of derivations, and he can concentrate on the underlying concepts. Each chapter is finished by a number of exercises which help the students to understand the theory. A manual at the end of the book contains not only the solutions of the exercises, but also the ways to get the answers. The reader should have some knowledge in vector calculus and differential equations, and in classical mechanics for the part starting with Chapter 6. \smallskip Units of measurements and the connections between various systems of units are established starting in Chapter 2 and 3. The Gaussian system of units is preferred in order to prepare the application of the classical theory of electromagnetism to modern physics. The connections of the Gaussian system with the SI units are summarized in two appendices. \smallskip Chapter 1 contains essential parts of the vector analysis required in the following sections. Gauss's, the gradient, the divergence, the curl, Green's, and Stokes's theorem are formulated. \smallskip Starting with Coulomb's law Chapter 2 deals with charges and electrostatics: An electric charge produces an electric field and is influenced by the electric field of other charges. The first Maxwell equation, first steps of the potential theory, spherical harmonics, Poisson's and the Laplace equation, and the stress tensor are introduced. Conductors and insulators are characterized. Earnshaw's and Thompson's theorem are derived. The chapter contains the concepts of the polarization and electric displacement, and the description of dielectrics and ferroelectrics. \smallskip Chapter 3 deals with magnetostatics: A moving charge produces a magnetic induction field and is influenced by other moving charges. The Lorentz force and the Biot and Savart law are formulated. The equation of continuity of currents and the two basic differential equations of magnetostatics, the magnetic divergence equation and Ampère's law, are given. The concept of the magnetic polarization, the magnetization, is introduced, and various types of magnetic materials (paramagnetic, diamagnetic and ferromagnetic) are characterized. In Chapter 4 Maxwell's equations are summarized in the stationary case and extended to the time-dependent case introducing Maxwell's displacement current in Ampère's law, now called fourth Maxwell equation in this book. The subject of Chapter 4 are quasi-stationary situations, i.e. phenomena in which the (physical size of the system) \(\times\) frequency \(\ll\) (velocity of light). Self- and mutual inductances are treated. Chapter 5 contains a general discussion of Maxwell's equations. Introducing the electromagnetic energy and the electromagnetic momentum conservation laws are formulated. The Poynting vector is defined. Electromagnetic plane waves in vacuum are derived from Maxwell's equations, and the concepts of wave refraction and reflection are treated. Choices of gauge, the Lorentz gauge and the Coulomb gauge, are introduced. Chapters 6 and 7 treat the special relativity theory in electrodynamics. Basic concepts (e.g. Einstein's postulates, Lorentz transformation, Minkowski notation, vectors and tensors in four dimensions) are discussed in Chapter 6. Chapter 7 contains the Lorentz transformation of the electromagnetic fields, the Minkowski force, Gauss's theorem in four dimensions, the electromagnetic energy-momentum tensor and the solution of the potential equation using Green functions. The potentials of a moving point charge, the Liénard-Wiechert potentials, are derived in Chapter 8. \smallskip Radiation damping and self-force in a distribution of charges and currents are evaluated in Chapter 9. The electromagnetic mass of a particle and the classical radius of the electron are deduced. Other topics of this chapter are energy loss by radiation and scattering of radiation. Rayleigh scattering - the sky is blue because of this kind of scattering -, the Thompson and resonance scattering are described. Chapter 10 treats electric and magneting radiating multipoles and corresponding radiation problems caused by periodic current or charge distribution. \smallskip Chapter 11 provides the background for the quantum mechanical treatment of radiation. The Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulation of Maxwell's equations are given. The detailed description of the Poisson bracket method supports the introduction of the quantum theory of radiation and the quantization of the fields. The treatment of the interaction between radiation and matter requiring the use of quantum mechanics is given in Chapter 12. The Clausius-Mosotti law, the index of refraction and the Lorentz-Lorenz formula are considered. The multiple scattering theory of the index of refraction, the Kramers-Kronig relation, and the plasma dispersion relation are derived.

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