DescriptionElectromagnetics waves such as light and radio waves are propagating solutions of Maxwell's equations. Ignoring polarisation (for now), they obey the wave equation \[\partial_{tt} u = c(x) \Delta u.\] Our intuition, however, tells us that light propagates in straight lines. This project starts by reconciling these two differing pictures, and in the process discover the "bridge" between classical and quantum mechanics.Even though the title says "optics", the same mathematical approach applies to many phenomena involving waves (in a certain limit): acoustics, earthquakes and indeed quantum wavefunctions. Pre-/Co-requisitesHamiltonian mechanics and PDEs are essential; quantum mechanics and electromagnetism are useful (but possible to avoid).Resources
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email: Djoko Wirosoetisno