Lecturer: Paolo Di Barba  

Course name: Field theory and computation
Course code: 503067
Degree course: Ingegneria Elettrica
Disciplinary field of science: ING-IND/31
L'insegnamento è caratterizzante per: Ingegneria Elettrica
University credits: ECTS 6
Course website: n.d.

Specific course objectives

Advanced knowledge of electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields. Base knowledge of commercial codes for finite element simulations.

Course programme

Vector fields
Basic operators and equations, electrostatic field, magnetostatic field, steady conduction field.

Analytical methods for solving boundary-value problems
Method of Green's function. Method of images. Method of separation of variables.

Numerical methods for solving boundary-value problems
Variational formulation in two-dimensional magnetostatics. Finite elements for two-dimensional magnetostatics. Finite elements for three-dimensional magnetostatics.

Time-varying electromagnetic field
Maxweel's equation in differential form. Poynting's vector. Maxwell's equations in the frequency domain. Plane waves in an infinite domain. Wave and diffusion equations in terms of vectors E and H.Wave and diffusion equations in terms of scalar and vector potentials. Electromagnetic field radiated by an oscillating dipole. Diffusione equation in terms of dual potentials. Weak eddy current in a conducting plane under AC conditions. Strong eddy current in a conducting plane under AC conditions. Eddy current in a cylindrical conductor under step excitation current. Electromagnetic field equations in different reference frames (a relativistic example and Galileian and Lorentzian transformations).

Computer aided design
Introduction to computer aided design by means of commercial software e.g. Magnet by Infolytica or Comsol Multiphysics. Finite element analysis of a simple case study.

Course entry requirements

Base knowledge of electric and magnetic field in low frequency, elementary vector analysis and operators as curl, divergence and gradient.

Course structure and teaching

Lectures (hours/year in lecture theatre): 45
Practical class (hours/year in lecture theatre): 0
Practicals / Workshops (hours/year in lecture theatre): 0

Suggested reading materials

P. Di Barba, A. Savini, S. Wiak. Field models in electricity and magnetism. Springer, 2008.

Testing and exams

The final examination consists in developing a case study. This work will be discussed in an interview.