A. Specific Intensity and Its Moments

       B. Optical Depth and the Fundamental Equation for Radiative Transfer

       C. Einstein Coefficients and Bound-Bound Absorption Cross-sections

       D. Thermal Radiation and Local Thermodynamic Equilibrium

       E. Spectral Line Formation and Broadening Mechanisms

       F. Grains

       G. Radiative Diffusion

       H. Bremsstrahlung / Free-Free Absorption

       I. Cyclotron and Synchrotron Radiation

       J. Compton and Inverse Compton Scattering

       K. Semi-analytic radiative transfer techniques: Eddington and the Grey Atmosphere

       L. Numerical radiative transfer techniques: Monte Carlo

Eugene Chiang (Departments of Astronomy and of Earth and Planetary Science )

Time & Place Mondays and Wednesdays 1:30 - 3:00 pm in 501 Campbell Hall

Office Hours Anytime I am not talking to anybody else. For guaranteed meeting times, e-mail me (echiang{at}astron.berkeley.edu).

Required Texts Radiative Processes in Astrophysics by Rybicki & Lightman. Try Campus Bookstore or Ned's Bookstore on Bancroft.
Course Reader compiled by Chiang. On sale at Desktop Design in Shattuck Square.

Recommended Texts Stellar Atmospheres by Mihalas
Physics of Astrophysics I: Radiation by Shu

Format and Grading Weekly lectures
Problem sets (70%)
Mid-term exam (10%)
Final exam (20%)

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Problem Sets (70%)

If you use these problem sets for your classes, I would appreciate your letting me know by email, and giving credit to this class and to this website. Generally it takes considerable effort to construct problem sets.

Homework policy: Do it yourself. You may consult others and the instructor, but your final solution should be written up by yourself, in isolation, without any notes from anyone else. You may ask for short extensions in special circumstances.

    PS 1: Due Sep 6 Postscript version here. PDF version here
    SOLUTION SET PDF SOLUTION SET
    Accompanying JPG figure

    PS 2: Due Sep 13 Postscript version here. PDF version here
    SOLUTION SET PDF SOLUTION SET
    Accompanying PS FIGURE Accompanying PDF FIGURE

    PS 3: Due MONDAY Sep 25 Postscript version here. PDF version here
    SOLUTION SET PDF SOLUTION SET

    PS 4: Due Oct 2 Postscript version here. PDF version here
    SOLUTION SET PDF SOLUTION SET

    PS 5: Due Oct 9 Postscript version here. PDF version here
    SOLUTION SET PDF SOLUTION SET

    PS 6: Due Oct 16 Postscript version here. PDF version here
Supplementary article by Purcell & Field, 1956, ApJ, 124, 542
    SOLUTION SET PDF SOLUTION SET

    PS 7: Due October 23 Postscript version here. PDF version here
Supplementary spectra by Wolfe et al. 1993, ApJ, 404, 480
    SOLUTION SET PDF SOLUTION SET

    PS 8: Due WEDNESDAY Nov 1 Postscript version here. PDF version here
    SOLUTION SET PDF SOLUTION SET

    PS 9: Due Wednesday Nov 8 Postscript version here. PDF version here
Classic and readable paper on synchrotron spectra by Scheuer & Williams
Supplementary image of the M87 jet by Biretta
    SOLUTION SET PDF SOLUTION SET

    PS 10: Due November 15 Postscript version here. PDF version here
Paper by Carilli et al. (1991) on Cygnus A
    SOLUTION SET PDF SOLUTION SET

    PS 11: Due November 29 Postscript version here. PDF version here
    SOLUTION SET PDF SOLUTION SET

    PS 12: Due December 6 Postscript version here. PDF version here
    SOLUTION SET PDF SOLUTION SET

   

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Mid-term and Final Exams (10% + 20%)

You may opt for either oral or written formats. Many students who would like to practice for their oral qualifying exams (and for giving scientific talks) choose the oral option.

Mid-term orals will be held the week of October 23-27. E-mail the instructor your availability. Students who take the oral option will be permitted use of the blackboard only.

Mid-term written exams will be taken during regular class time Wednesday October 25. Students who take the written exam can bring one side of one 3"x5" index card for notes.

Final oral and written exams will likely follow the same format as the mid-term exams and be held Wednesday-Friday December 13-15 (tentative), one week after classes end. Special arrangements will be made for students who request them.