Radiative Processes

Astro 305

MF 4:30-5:50 AAC 107

(yes I apologize for the time!)

The textbook for this course is Rybicki and Lightman: Radiative Processes in Astrophysics J. Wiley 1979. Please purchase this book from Amazon or your local bookstore. Grades will be based on problem sets (50%), in class open notes midterm (20%) and in class open notes final (30%).

Problem Sets

Problem sets will be a mix of RL (solutions in the back) and 1 or 2 supplementary problems per week.

Problem Set 1: due Oct 7 (not Oct 12)

Problem Set 2: due Oct 14

Problem Set 3: due Oct 21 (no class Friday - either place in LASR mailbox or turn in on Monday)

Problem Set 4: due Oct 28

Problem Set 5: due Nov 21

Problem Set 6: due Nov 28

Problem Set 7: optional (extra credit - the original ps 6)


Supplemental Notes

We will be taking the RL chapters slightly out of order and in the sequence of the following class notes -- not intended for public consumption:

Radiative Transfer

Statistical Mechanics

Thermal Physics

Thermodynamic Equilibrium

Classical E&M and Plasma Effects

Relativity [for review, likely omitted in lectures]

[Midterm]

Classical and Semiclassical Oscillator

Compton Scattering

Bremsstrahlung

Synchrotron

[Final]