Pre-Quantum Electrodynamics

Fundamentals: After properly studying this module, you should be able to:

• obtain the wave equations for electric and magnetic fields in vacuum starting from Maxwell's equations
• give the form of \({\boldsymbol E}\) and \({\boldsymbol B}\) fields for a monochromatic plane wave
• for linear media, obtain the wave equations
• explain how waveguides work

Applications: As a strict minimum, you should be able to:

• compute the Poynting vector for a monochromatic plane wave
• rederive the formulas for fields and reflection/transmission coefficients for an EM wave hitting an interface at normal incidence
• rederive the laws of reflection and of refraction (Snell's law)
• get the reflection and transmission coefficients for the above