Outline

Overview

The development of electrodynamic field theory laid the foundation on which all of modern physics is built, from relativity to quantum field theory. Its application to electromagnetic waves and optics underpins all of modern telecommunications, but also some of the most delicate physics experiments, from gravitational wave detection to quantum computing. This is a core unit in the physics major, which has three components: electrodynamics lectures, optics lectures, and experimental lab. The advanced unit covers the same concepts as PHYS3035 but with a greater level of challenge and academic rigour, largely in separate lectures. You will apply Mawell's equations to derive properties of electromagnetic waves, the interaction of waves with matter, waveguides, radiation and Gauge transformations. This will lead to optics lectures in which you will investigate aspects of modern optics, using the laser to illustrate the topics covered, in combination with a discussion of the basic optical properties of materials, including the Lorentz model. You will investigate spontaneous and stimulated emission of light, laser rate equations, diffraction, Gaussian beam propagation, anisotropic media and nonlinear optics. You will design your own in-depth experimental investigations into key aspects of electrodynamics, optics, as well as other topics in physics, with expert tutoring.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	PHYS3935
Academic unit	Physics Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	PHYS3035 or PHYS3040 or PHYS3940 or PHYS3941 or PHYS3068 or PHYS3968 or PHYS3069 or PHYS3969 or PHYS3080 or PHYS3980
Prerequisites ?	Average of 70 or above in [(PHYS2011 OR PHYS2911 OR PHYS2921) AND (PHYS2012 OR PHYS2912 OR PHYS2922)]
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	(MATH2021 OR MATH2921 OR MATH2061 OR MATH2961 OR MATH2067)
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Martijn de Sterke, martijn.desterke@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam (Record+)	Final exam Type B	40%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Quiz Multiple choice and short answer questions, in weeks 3,6,9 and 12.	15%	Multiple weeks	20 mins
Outcomes assessed:
Skills-based evaluation	Experimental physics logbook Lab skills assessment	15%	Multiple weeks	4 hour sessions
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Problem assignment Written assignment	15%	Week 11	2-3 journal pages
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Experimental physics oral presentation Oral presentation	10%	Week 13	10 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Continuous assessment Submission of credible answer to one question in weekly problem set.	5%	Weekly	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
= Type B final exam ?

Assessment summary

Assignments: One large problem assignment using aspects of both modules. Quizzes cannot be submittedlate.
Quizzes: There will be 4 quizzes; the three best marks count towards the final mark. Each may contain multiple choice and short-answer questions.
Continuous assment: A credible answer to one of the questions in each week’s problem set is expected. Best 10 count towards the final mark.
Experimental physics lab books: Every student will carry out two experiments. At least one experiment has to be from the advanced experiment pool.
Experimental physics oral presentation: Students will give a presentation based on the material covered in their logbook.
Final exam: The final exam will have questions covering all coursework aspects of this course, and will be a short-answer on-line exam.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	At HD level, a student demonstrates a flair for the subject and comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the unit material. A ‘High Distinction’ reflects exceptional achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates the ability to apply subject knowledge to novel situations.
Distinction	75 - 84	At DI level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a solid knowledge and understanding of the unit material. A ‘Distinction’ reflects excellent achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates an ability to apply the key ideas of the subject.
Credit	65 - 74	At CR level, a student demonstrates a good command and knowledge of the unit material. A ‘Credit’ reflects solid achievement and is awarded to a student who has a broad understanding of the unit material but has not fully developed the ability to apply the key ideas of the subject.
Pass	50 - 64	At PS level, a student demonstrates proficiency in the unit material. A ‘Pass’ reflects satisfactory achievement and is awarded to a student who has threshold knowledge of the subject.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Electrostatics: Dirac delta, divergence and Gauss’ law; curvilinear coordinates, Laplacian and method of images	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 01	Lab induction	Science laboratory (4 hr)
Week 02	Magnetostatics: Vector potential, Poisson equation, Faraday’s law, Maxwell’s equation in vacuum and media	Lecture (3 hr)
	electrostatics	Individual study (1 hr)
	Experimental physics lab	Science laboratory (4 hr)
Week 03	Electrodynamics: Aharamov Bohm effect; charge conservation; energy conservation; Poynting vector; wave equation in matter	Lecture (3 hr)
	Magnetostatics	Individual study (1 hr)
	Experimental physics lab	Science laboratory (4 hr)
Week 04	Electrodynamics: complex notations for plane waves; energy velocity; boundary conditions; reflection and transmission at normal incidence; complex Poynting vector	Lecture (3 hr)
	Electrodynamics	Individual study (1 hr)
	Experimental physics lab	Science laboratory (4 hr)
Week 05	Electrodynamics: reflection and transmission at oblique incidence; deriving Snell’s law; Brewster angle; total internal reflection and evanescent fields	Lecture (3 hr)
	Electrodynamics	Individual study (1 hr)
	Experimental physics lab	Science laboratory (4 hr)
Week 06	Electrodynamics: Gauge invariance, Lorenz gauge, d’Alembertian, retarded potential, Lienard-Wiechert potentials, Dipole radiation and Larmor formula; Rayleigh scattering	Lecture (3 hr)
	Electrodynamics	Individual study (1 hr)
	Experimental physics lab	Science laboratory (4 hr)
Week 07	Optics: the Lorentz atom, Lorentz Drude model, complex permittivity, line shapes; Kramers-Kronig relations; dispersion relations and group velocity	Lecture (3 hr)
	Electrodynamics	Individual study (1 hr)
	Experimental physics lab	Science laboratory (4 hr)
Week 08	Optics: waveguides and modes; paraxial wave equation derivation	Lecture (3 hr)
	Optics	Individual study (1 hr)
	Experimental physics lab	Science laboratory (4 hr)
Week 09	Optics: Fourier transform in optics, paraxial wave equation and solutions	Lecture (3 hr)
	optics	Individual study (1 hr)
	Experimental physics lab	Science laboratory (4 hr)
Week 10	Optics: Gaussian beams and Gaussian optics; diffraction at apertures	Lecture (3 hr)
	optics	Individual study (1 hr)
	Experimental physics lab	Science laboratory (4 hr)
Week 11	Optics: Einstein coefficients; three and four level lasers;	Lecture (3 hr)
	optics	Individual study (1 hr)
	Experimental physics lab	Science laboratory (4 hr)
Week 12	Optics: laser rate equations; solving the rate equation; implications	Lecture (3 hr)
	optics	Individual study (1 hr)
	Experimental physics lab	Science laboratory (4 hr)
Week 13	optics: propagation in anisotropic media; refraction at anisotropic interfaces	Lecture (3 hr)
	optics	Individual study (1 hr)
	Experimental physics lab, oral presentations	Science laboratory (4 hr)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for the electrodynamics part of this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

Electrodynamics: Griffiths, D.J., Introduction to electrodynamics, Pearson, 4th edition, ISBN-13: 978-0321856562.

Lecture notes will be made avaiable for the optics part.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. demonstrate an understanding of key concepts in two foundation areas of physics - electrodynamics and optics
LO2. apply these concepts to develop models, and to solve qualitative and quantitative problems in scientific contexts, using appropriate mathematical and computing techniques as necessary
LO3. design experiments to measure specific effects
LO4. compare and critique experimental approaches and electrodynamic models
LO5. communicate scientific information appropriately, through written work and an oral presentation
LO6. analyse a physical problem in electrodynamics and optics and develop a formalism appropriate for solving it
LO7. demonstrate a sense of responsibility, ethical behaviour, and independence as a learner and as a scientist.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Modifications accommodate 13 week semester and changes to assessment.

Additional information

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

PHYS3935: Electrodynamics and Optics (Advanced)

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect