Radiative Processes in Astrophysics

Catalog description

PHYS363 is a graduate level class on the interaction of light and matter in astrophysics. It provides a comprehensive introduction to the fundamental mechanisms responsible for the production, absorption, and transport of radiation in astrophysical environments. Topics include electromagnetic radiation from accelerated charges and its polarization, synchrotron emission, bremsstrahlung, and Thomson and Compton scattering, as well as the emission and absorption of radiation by atoms and molecules. Emphasis is placed on developing physical intuition together with quantitative tools for modeling emission spectra and energy loss processes across a wide range of astrophysical systems.