Radiative Processes in Astrophysics
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to provide an in-depth knowledge of radiative processes, relevant for astrophysical phenomena, in order to learn mechanisms of emission, absorption and scattering of photons by gas and dust across the whole electromagnetic spectrum (radio, optical, infrared, X, gamma)
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student will know how to:
1) solve the radiative transport for both continuum and atomic/molecular lines;
2) compute the excitation conditions of gas in different energy ranges;
3) use the electromagnetic spectrum to understand fundamental properties of the emitting/absorbing/scattering medium;
4) identify a large set of radiative processes within the InterStellar Medium (ISM)
1) solve the radiative transport for both continuum and atomic/molecular lines;
2) compute the excitation conditions of gas in different energy ranges;
3) use the electromagnetic spectrum to understand fundamental properties of the emitting/absorbing/scattering medium;
4) identify a large set of radiative processes within the InterStellar Medium (ISM)
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Electrodynamics: Maxwell equations and electromagnetic waves
Radiation for an accelerated charge. Larmor formula. Cyclotron radiation - astrophysical examples
Thomson and Rayleigh scattering - astrophysical examples
Radiative transport (continuum) - astrophysical examples
Absorption and emission lines - astrophysical examples
Atomic radiative transitions - astrophysical examples
Molecular radiative transitions - astrophysical examples
Line excitation and recombination lines - astrophysical examples
Radiative transport (lines) - astrophysical examples
Bremsstrahlung emission - astrophysical examples
Special relativity
Synchrotron emission - astrophysical examples
Compton and inverse Compton scattering - astrophysical examples
InterStellar Medium (ISM)
Mention to astrochemistry
Radiation for an accelerated charge. Larmor formula. Cyclotron radiation - astrophysical examples
Thomson and Rayleigh scattering - astrophysical examples
Radiative transport (continuum) - astrophysical examples
Absorption and emission lines - astrophysical examples
Atomic radiative transitions - astrophysical examples
Molecular radiative transitions - astrophysical examples
Line excitation and recombination lines - astrophysical examples
Radiative transport (lines) - astrophysical examples
Bremsstrahlung emission - astrophysical examples
Special relativity
Synchrotron emission - astrophysical examples
Compton and inverse Compton scattering - astrophysical examples
InterStellar Medium (ISM)
Mention to astrochemistry
Prerequisites for admission
Good knowledge of calculus. Good knowledge of classical physics (mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics), quantum mechanics (gas), basic knowledge of astronomy
Teaching methods
Classroom lectures at the blackboard, with the aid of several slides per lecture
Teaching Resources
Rybicki & Lightman - "Radiative Processes in Astrophysics" - Vch Pub
Draine - "Physics of the Interstellar and Intergalactic Medium" - Princeton Series in Astrophysics
Williams - "Introduction to the interstellar medium" - Cambridge University Press
Online lectures on radiative transfer by Prof. Dullemond (https://www.ita.uni-heidelberg.de/~dullemond/lectures/radtrans_2013/index.shtml)
Draine - "Physics of the Interstellar and Intergalactic Medium" - Princeton Series in Astrophysics
Williams - "Introduction to the interstellar medium" - Cambridge University Press
Online lectures on radiative transfer by Prof. Dullemond (https://www.ita.uni-heidelberg.de/~dullemond/lectures/radtrans_2013/index.shtml)
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam is a ~ 60 minutes oral discussion on the topics of the course. The student can decide to start the exam discussing an image or a spectrum of astrophysical data of their own choice.
FIS/05 - ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS - University credits: 6
Lessons: 42 hours
Professor:
Facchini Stefano
Professor(s)
Reception:
By appointment
Office 1.1.10, first floor, Department of Physics, via Celoria 16