A thematic approach

The subject of electromagnetic fields has often been taught with an emphasis on vectorial mathematics. While many texts stress on solving problems, the examples are often drawn from a variety of topics without an overall objective. In a thematic approach we identify a basic engineering problem and attempt to find a solution while using vectorial math and numerical methods as tools. We hope that the student will appreciate the basic physics involved in dealing with static and time varying electromagnetic fields in a real life application while assimilating the mathematical tools of the trade.

The following engineering applications were chosen as themes to illustrate different aspects of electromagnetic fields

• Magnetic data storage
  1. Static and low frequency electromagnetic fields.
  2. Vector and scalar potentials.
  3. Linear and nonlinear materials.
  4. Energy stored in static charge distributions.
  5. Distributed impedance - transmission line theory.
• Optical waveguides
  1. Electromagnetic waves.
  2. Reflection and transmission at interfaces.
  3. Transmission lines - formulation of the Jones matrix.
  4. Resonant cavities.

Where applicable, lectures shall reference suitable problems and sections in a text book. The basic texts for this course are

1. Engineering Electromagnetics, 6th ed. Authors: Hayt and Buck
2. Introduction to Electrodynamics. Author: D. J. Griffiths

Assignments will be mentioned in class. For those otherwise occupied in class ...

Figure 1: Foxtrot by Bill Amend