Fundamentals of Electrodynamics is primarily a textbook for graduate students in physics. It is also a valuable at the senior level and as a profession reference book. It will be especially welcome to graduate students planning to do their doctoral research in quantum field theory or elementary particle physics. Fundamentals of Electrodynamics is a textbook for a one or two semester graduate or senior level course in electrodynamics or electromagnetic theory. It seeks to unify classical electrodynamics by using hamilton's principles and the symmetry properties of space and time as basic assumtions. For this reason special relativity is introduced much earlier than in most other texts. With this approach one is able to reduce the number of assumptions to a relatively fe that support the entire subject; in particular, from such basic assumptions, both the relativistic equations of motion for particles and Maxwell's equations for the electrodynamic field are derived. The text is broad in scope and covers, in addition to basic theory, applications to radiation theory, self-force of an electron, natural breadth of spectral lines, geometric optics, electrodynamics of material media, and propagation in moving media. The book contains worked-out examples with sample problems at the end of each chapter. Mathematical appendixes are included and the book is largely self-contained. This textbook conveys the unified nature of electrodynamics and points out, not only the beauty but also the limitations of the theory. The limitations are shown to rise from basic defects in the fundamental assumptions of the theory. The authors present analyses of the logical foundations of classical electrodynamics so that the student can better understand the problems that arise in modern theories, such as quantum electrodynamics. Also, by examining the nature of basic assumption and limits of applicability of a well-developed theory, the authors prepare the student for more difficult theories in elementary particle physics or quantum field theories.
About the Author: Boris Podolsky Boris Podolsky, research professor of theoretical p[hysics at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio died November 28, 1966. podolsky was born in Taganrog, Russia in 1896 and emigrated to the United States in 1913. He obtained an M. A. in Mathematics from the University of Southern California in 1926 and studied under Paul S. Epstein at the California Institute of Technology, receiving his Ph.D. in Physics in 1828. Podolsky spent the next few years at various institutes and universities in the United States and abroad, working with men such as Richard Tolman, Vladimir A. Fock, P. A. M. Dirac, Lef D. Landau and Albert Einstein. In 1935 he accepted a position in the University of Cincinnati Department of Physics and later was made a fellow of the graduate school.He remained there until 1961, continuing his research in a number of topics of theoretical physics, including a generalization of Maxwell -Lorenz electrodynamics. Dr. Kaiser S. Kunz received his B.S. in Physics from the University of Indiana in 1936. The following year, he transferred to the University of Cincinnati where he received his M.S. (1937) and his Ph.D in Physics (1939). After graduation, he began his career in teaching and research in physics and mathematics, remaining in Cincinnati for three years as Mathematics Instructor at the University's Engineering College. As his career continued to progress, he became affiliated with several academic institutions including Harvard University (1942-49) where he worked as an Electronics Instructor, Research Associate, Research Fellow, and Lecturer. His other academic affiliations were with the Case Institute of Technology (1949-51) as an Associate Professor in Electrical Engineering and with New Mexico State University (beginning 1960 until retirement) as Research Professor in Physics and Electrical Engineering. Dr. Kunz has had several industrial affiliations as well including acting as a Consultant at White Sands Missile Range, Sandia Laboratory, the Physical Science Laboratory, and the Air Force-Cambridge Research Laboratory. He was Head of Applied Mathematics Group, Division Head-Electrical, Nuclear, and Sonic Logging, and Assistant Director of Research at Schlumberger Well Surveying Corporation (1951-60). His management and administration experience included the Chairmanship of the Computer Advisory Group for the New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico.