1.

Mathematical Methods I
Vector space and matrices, linear independence, bases dimensionality, Inner product, tensors,
transformations of, parallel transport, linear transformation matrices, inverse, orthogonal and
unitary matrices, independent element of a matrix, Eigen values and Eigen vectors,
diagonalization, complete orthonormal sets to functions, series, convergence tests;

complex Variables, Cauchy- Riemann condition, analytic functions, Cauchy’s theorem, Cauchy integral
formula, Laurent series, singularities, residue theorem, contour integration, evaluation of definite
integrals.

Differential equations, second order linear ODEs with variable coefficients, Solution by
series expansion, non-homogeneous differential equations and solution by the method of Green’s
functions with applications. Eigenvalue methods, up to Strum-Liouville systems. Special functions,
Legendre, Bessel, Hermite and Laguerre functions with their physical applications, generating
functions, orthogonality conditions, recursion relations,

Integral transforms, Fourier integral and transforms, inversion theorem, Fourier transform of
derivatives, convolution theorem, Laplace
Transform(LT), LT of Derivatives, Inverse LT, Fourier series; properties and applications, discrete
Fourier transform.

1. G. Arfken & H. J. Weber, Mathematical Methods for Physicists, Academic press, Harcourt India,
2005.
2. W.W. Bell, Special Functions for scientists and engineers, Dover Publications, 2004.

2.Classical Mechanics
Preliminaries, Newtonian mechanics of one and many-particle systems, conservation law,
constraints and their classification, principle of virtual work, generalized coordinates, D’Alembert’s
principle and Lagrange’s equations, velocity-dependent potentials and the dissipation function,
simple applications of the Lagrangian formulation, Hamilton’s principle, Lagrange’s equations from
Hamilton’s principle, conservation theorems and symmetry properties, energy function and the
conservation of energy. The Hamiltonian formation of mechanics, Legendre transformations and
the Hamilton’s equations of motion, cyclic coordinates and conservation theorems, Hamilton’s
equations from Hamilton’s principle, the principle of least action, canonical transformations with
examples, the harmonic oscillator, Poisson’s brackets, equations of motion and conservation
theorems in the Poisson Bracket formulation.

Hamilton-Jacobi(HJ) theory and action -angle variables, the HJ equation for Hamilton’s principal
function, Harmonic oscillator as a example of the HJ method, the HJ equation for Hamilton’s
characteristic function, separation of variables in the HJ equation and the action-angle variables.
Non-linear dynamics: dynamical systems, ergodicity, and chaos theory. The Central force problem,
two-body problem and its reduction to the equivalent one-body problem, the equations of motion
and first integrals, the equivalent one-dimensional problem and classification of orbits, the
differential equation of the orbit, closure and stability of orbits, the Kepler problem , scattering in a
central force field, Rutherford scattering, transformation of the scattering problem to laboratory
coordinates, the three-body problem.

Rigid body dynamics, the Euler angles, Euler’s on the motion of a rigid body, rate of change of a
vector, the Coriolis force, angular momentum and kinetic energy of motion about a point, the Euler
equations of motion of rigid bodies, precession, tidal interaction. Formulation of the problem of
small oscillations, the eigenvalue equation and the principal axis transformation, frequencies of
free vibration and normal coordinates. Stability studies in astrophysical situations.
1. H.Goldstein, C Poole & J Fafko, Classical Mechanics, Pearson Education, Inc, 2002.
2. Landau & Lifshitz, Mechanics, Butterworth-Heinemann, 1982.
3. Percival & D.Richards, Introduction to Dynamics, Cambridge University press, 1982.
4. Rana, N. C. & Joag, P. S., Classical Mechanics, Tata McGraw-Hill, 1991.

3.Quantum Mechanics I
Inadequacy of classical mechanics, Schrödinger equation, continuity equation, Ehrenfest theorem,
admissible wave functions, stationary states, one-dimensional problems; walls and barriers,
Schrödinger equation for harmonic oscillator and its solution, uncertainty relations, states with
minimum uncertainty product.

Super position principle, general formalism of wave mechanics, commutation relationship,

representation of states and dynamical variables, completeness of Eigen functions, Dirac-delta
function, Bra & Ket notation, matrix representation of an operator, harmonic oscillator and its
solution by matrix method, Heisenberg equation of motion.
Angular momentum in quantum mechanics, commutation relationships, Eigen values, spin angular
momentum, Pauli's matrices, addition of angular momentum, Clebsch-Gordon coefficients, Wigner-
Eckart theory.

Central force problem, spherically symmetric potentials in three dimensions, separation of wave
equation, parity, three-dimensional square-well potential and energy levels, the hydrogen atom;
solution of the radial equation, energy levels and stationery state wave functions, discussion of
bound states, degeneracy.

Time-independent perturbation theory, non-degenerate case, first order and second perturbations
with the example of an oscillator, degenerate cases, removal of degeneracy in second order,
Zeeman effect without electron spin, first-order Stark effect in Hydrogen, perturbed energy levels,
occurrence of permanent electric dipole moments.

Time-dependent perturbation theory, Fermi's golden rule. Transition probability.

1. L. Schiff, Quantum Mechanics, 3rd ed., McGraw-Hill, 1968.

2. Landau & Lifshitz, Quantum Mechanics:Non-relativistic Theory, Vol.3, 3rd ed., Butterworth-
Heinemann, 1981.
3. J.J. Sakurai, Modern Quantum Mechanics, Addison Wesley Longman, 1999.
4. Mathews & Venkatesan, Quantum mechanics, Tata McGraw-Hill, 1976.

4.Electronics
Kirchhoff's Laws, KCL, KVL and their limitations, classification of devices of an electrical circuit,
basic devices, resistors, controlled sources, diodes, capacitors and inductors, ideal transformers,
basic circuit analysis methods, nodal, mesh and modified nodal-analysis, transient analysis of RL,
RC and RLC circuits, network theorems, Tellegen's theorem, superposition theorem, Thevenin-
Norton theorem, substitution theorem, reciprocity theorem, maxpower-transfer theorem,
star-delta- transformation, steady state sinusoidal analysis: phasors, phasor diagrams, power in ac
circuits, network analysis methods and network theorems recalled, polyphase circuits, circuits with
ideal transformers.

Introduction to operational amplifiers, the difference amplifier and the ideal operational amplifier
models, concept of negative feedback and virtual short; Analysis of simple operational amplifier
circuits; Frequency response of amplifiers, Bode plots, feedback, feedback topologies and analysis
for discrete transistor amplifiers, stability of feedback circuits using Barkhausen criteria.
Linear applications of operational amplifiers, instrumentation and isolation amplifiers, current and
voltage sources, active filters, introduction to Boolean algebra and switching functions, Boolean
minimization, finite-state machines, design of synchronous FSMs, FSM minimization, synchronous
FSMs, bipolar Logic Families (TTL + ECL), MOS logic families (NMOS and CMOS), and their
electrical behaviour, memory elements, timing circuits, Elementary combinational and sequential
digital circuits, adders, comparators, shift registers, counters, logic implementation using
programmable devices (ROM,PLA,FPGA).

1. K.V.V. Murthy and M.S.Kamath, Basic Circuit Analysis, 1st edition (reprinted with corrections)
Jaico Publishing, 1998.
2. H. Taub and D. Schilling, Digital Integrated Electronics, McGraw Hill, 1977.
3. F.J. Hill and G.L. Peterson, Switching Theory and Logic Design, John Wiley, 1981.
4. Z. Kohavi, Switching and Finite Automata Theory, McGraw-Hill, 1979.
5. J. Millman & C.C. Halkias, Integrated Electronics, McGraw-Hill Kogakusha, 1972.

5.Statistical Physics
Review of basic thermodynamics, foundation of statistical mechanics : macroscopic and microscopic
states, contact between statistics and thermodynamics, physical significance of (N, V, E), the
classical gas, entropy of mixing and Gibb’s paradox, phase space of classical system, Liouville`s
theorem and its consequences, quantum states and phase space; elements of ensemble theory – a
system in microcanonical, canonical, and grand canonical ensembles, partition functions, physical
significance of statistical quantities, example of classical system, energy and energy-density
fluctuations and mutual correspondence of various ensembles; formulation of quantum statistics –
quantum mechanical ensemble theory, Density matrix, statistics of various quantum mechanical
ensembles, system composed of indistinguishable particles, theory of simple gases – ideal gas in
various quantum mechanical ensemble, Maxwell-Boltzmann, Bose-Einstein, Fermi-Dirac
distributions, statistics of occupation number, mono-atomic and diatomic gases composed of
particles with internal motion; ideal Bose and Fermi gases – thermodynamics behavior of and ideal
Bose gas, Bose-Einstein condensation and, elementary excitations in liquid helium II,
thermodynamic behaviour of an ideal Fermi gas, the electron gas, non-relativistic and relativistic
degenerate electron gas, theory of white dwarf stars; cooperative phenomena: electric and
magnetic properties of matter: Curie and Curie-Weiss Laws, Pauli paramagnetism, Exchange
interaction and the origin of internal fields:para, ferro and anti ferro states of matter; Boltzmann
transport theory, H theorem, calculation of kinetic coefficients, elementary concepts of plasma
kinetic theory; fluctuations: thermodynamic fluctuations, Brownian motion, Einstein and Lengevin
theory of Brownian motion.

1. Liboff, R. L., Kinetic Theory: Classical, Quantum and Relativistic Description, 3rd ed., Springer,
2003.
2. R. K. Pathria, Statistical Mechanics, Pergamon Press, 1996.
3. L. D. Landau & E. M. Lifshitz, Statistical Physics, 3rd ed, Butter worth and Heinemann Press,
1984.
4. F. Reif, Fundamental of Statistical and Thermal Physics, 1965.
5. Kerson Huang, Statistical Mechanics, John Wiley, 2000.
6. Blundell, K. & Blundell, S., Concepts in Thermal Physics, Oxford University press, 2006.
6.Nuclear and Particle Physics
Radioactive decay, sub-nuclear particles, binding energies, nuclear forces, pion exchange, Yukawa
potential, isospin, neutron and proton, Deuteron, shell model, magic numbers, nuclear transitions,
selection rules, liquid drop model, collective excitations, nuclear fission and fusion, beta decay,
neutrinos. Fermi theory, parity violation.
Introduction to particle physics, astrophysical applications of nuclear, and particle physics, particle
acceleration in astrophysics, pair plasmas, cosmic rays, TeV gamma rays, neutrino astrophysics.

1. Preston M.A. & Bhaduri R.K., Structure of the Nucleus, Addison- Wesley, Reading, 1994.
2. Krane K.S., Introductory Nuclear Physics, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 2006.
3. Longair, M.S., High Energy Astrophysics, Vol.1-2, Cambridge University Press, 2006.
4. Krolik, J., Active Galactic Nuclei, Princeton University Press, 1999.
5. Perkins, D. Particle Astrophysics, Oxford University Press, 2003.

7.Atomic and Molecular Physics

Systematics of atomic states, genesis of the periodic system of elements, many-electron systems,
L-S coupling, Hartree-Fock approximation. Perturbations, level splittings, and term diagrams,
spectroscopic terms, parity, spin orbit coupling, Zeeman effect, hyperfine structure, radiative
transitions, dipole approximation, oscillator strengths, selection and transition rules, line
broadening mechanisms, Doppler, natural, and collisional broadening, molecular structure,
Born-Oppenheimer approximation, electron binding of nuclei, H2, H2+, rotation spectra, rotation
and vibration spectra, electronic-rotation-vibration spectra.

1. Bransden, B. H. & Jaochain, C. J., Physics of Atoms & Molecules, Addison-Wesley, 1983.
2. Pauling, L. and Wilson, E.B.: Introduction to Quantum Mechanics, McGraw-Hill, 1935.
3. Pauling, L., Nature of the Chemical Bond, Cornell University Press, 1960.
4. Rybicki & Lightman, Radiative Processess in Astrophysics, John Wiley, 1985.
5. Tennyson, J., Astronomical Spectroscopy, Imperial College Press, 2005.

8.Electrodynamics
Electrostatics and magnetostatics, special techniques. Maxwell’s equations, vector and scalar
potentials and the wave equation, Gauge transformations, Lorenz gauge, Coulomb gauge, Green's
function for the wave equation, four-vectors, mathematical properties of the space-time in special
relativity, matrix representation of Lorentz transformation, covariance of electrodynamics,
transformation of electromagnetic fields.

1. Griffiths, D. J., Introduction to Electrodynamics, 3rd ed., Prentice Hall, 2002.

2. Jackson, J. D., Classical Electrodynamics, 3rd ed., John Wiley and sons, 1999.
9.Astronomical and Numerical Techniques (I
& II)
Coordinate systems, precession, time, heliocentric corrections; methods of observation, resolution,
sensitivity, noise, quantum efficiency, spectral response, Johnson noise, signal to noise ratio,
background, aberrations, telescopes at different wavelengths, detectors at different wavelengths,
imaging, spectroscopy, polarimetry, calibration, atmospheric effects at different wavelengths,
active/adaptive optics, interferometry, speckle interferometry, aperture synthesis, methods of
data reduction, Fourier transforms, calibrations; neutrino astronomy, gravitational wave
astronomy. Numerical techniques in physics and astrophysics, errors and error propagation,
numerical integration and interpolation, random numbers, astrostatistics, probability distributions,
hypothesis testing, sampling methods, multivariate analysis, regression, time-series analysis, data
reduction, error analysis, numerical solutions of algebraic, ordinary differential and partial
differential equations

1. Roy, A.E., & Clarke, D., Astronomy Principles and Practice, 4th ed., Institute of Physics, 2003.
2. Kitchin, C.R.: Astrophysical Techniques, 4th ed., Institute of Physics, 2003.
3. Smart, W.M., Spherical Astronomy, 6th ed., Cambridge University Press, 1977.
4. Press, W.H., et al., Numerical Recipes in C, Cambridge University Press, 1992.
5. Babu G. J. & Fiegelson, E. D., Astrostatistics, Chapman and Hall, 1996.
6. Saha S. K., Diffraction-limited imaging with large and moderate telescopes, World Scientific,
New Jersey, 2007.
7. Saha S. K. Aperture synthesis : Methods and Applications to Optical Astronomy, Springer, Berlin,
2010.

10.Fundamentals of Astrophysics
Overview of the major contents of the universe, basics of radiative transfer and radiative
processes, stellar interiors, HR diagram, nuclear energy generation, white dwarfs and neutron
stars, shape, size and contents of our galaxy, basics of stellar dynamics, normal and active
galaxies, high energy and plasma processes, Newtonian cosmology, microwave background, early
universe.

1. Shu, F., The Physical Universe, University of California, 1982.

2. Harwit, M. Astrophysical Concepts, 3rd ed, Springer-verlag, 2006.
3. Padmanabhan, T., Theoretical Astrophysics, Vols.1-3, Cambridge University Press, 2005.

11.Radiative Processes
Basics of theory of radiation field, thermal radiation, radiative diffusion, radiative transfer theory,
elementary stellar atmospheres, relativistic electrodynamics, emission of electromagnetic
radiation, scattering, Brehmstrahlung, synchrotron radiation, inverse-Compton process, plasma
effects.

1. Rybicki, G.B., & Lightman, A.P., Radiative Processes in Astrophysics, John Wiley, 1985.
12.Stellar Physics
Introduction to astrophysical problems, with emphasis on underlying physical principles; includes
the nature of stars, equations of state, stellar energy generation, stellar structure and evolution,
astrophysical neutrinos, binary stars, novae and supernovae.

1. Chandrasekhar,S. An Introduction to the Study of Stellar Structure, Dover Publications, 1967.

2. Clayton, D.D.: Principles of Stellar Evolution and Nucleosynthesis, University of Chicago Press,
1983.
3. Kippenhahn and Weigert: Stellar Structure and Evolution, Springer, 1990.

13.Fluids and Plasmas

Basic equations of fluid mechanics, viscosity, gas dynamics, waves and instabilities, turbulence,
orbit theory, elements of MHD, microscopic theories, Boltzmann and Vlasov equations, plasma
oscillations, basic plasma phenomena, plasma oscillations; plasmas, definition and general
properties, Debye shielding phenomenon and criteria for plasma, motion of charged particles in
electromagnetic field; uniform E & B fields, Electric field drift, non-uniform magnetostatic field,
gradient B drift, parallel acceleration and magnetic mirror effect, curvature drift, adiabatic
invariants; fundamental equations of magneto-hydrodynamics(MHD), the MHD approximation,
Hydromagnetic waves; magnetosonic and Alfven waves, magnetic viscosity and Reynolds number,
diffusion of magnetic lines and frozen-in fields, concept of magnetic pressure, plasma confinement
schemes, Waves in plasma, electron and ion plasma waves, their dispersion relations and
properties, dynamo theory.

1. Aitchison, Introduction to Fluid dynamics

2. Sturrock,P., Plasma Astrophysics, Academic Press, 1967.
3. Landau & Lifshitz., Fluid Mechanics, 2nd ed., Butterworth-Heinemann, 1998.

14.Solid State Physics

Einstein and Debye models of specific heat, thermal conductivity, effect of imperfections; electron
states, electron in a periodic potential and the Bloch theorem, the free electron and tight binding
approximations, energy bands and band structure of solids, band width, energy gap and Fermi
surface; density of states and the total number of states, effective mass, electrons and holes,
semimetal; free electron gas in three dimensions, specific heat, Sommerfeld theory of electrical
conductivity, Wiedemann-Franz law, Hall effect, superconductivity, Meissner effect, type I and type
II superconductors, heat capacity, London equation and penetration of magnetic field, Cooper pairs
and the B C S ground state (qualitative).
Cold equation of state below neutron drip: Harrison-Wheeler, BPS, equation of state above neutron
drip: BBP, many body theory, Hartree Fock, Bethe-Johnson, delta resonance, pion condensation,
quark stars. Neutron star & white dwarf models: masses and radii. Cooling: structure of the surface
layers of the white dwarf and cooling, free neutron decay, URCA rate, neutrino transparency ,
neutron star cooling. Superfluidity in neutron stars, pulsar glitches.

1. C.Kittel, Introduction to Solid State Physics (8th Ed.),Wiley, 2004.

2. A.J.Dekker, Solid State Physics, Macmillan, 1958.
3. Ashcroft N.W. & Mermin N.D. Mermin, Solid State Physics, Rinehart and Winston, New York,
1976.
4. Shapiro S. & Teukolsky, S., Black Holes, White Dwarfs and Neutron Stars, John Wiley, 1983.
5. Glendenning, Physics of Neutron Star Interiors, Springer, 2001.
15.Relativistic Quantum Mechanics
Scattering, classical radiation field, creation, annihilation and number operators. Quantized
radiation field, unified approach to emission, absorption, and scattering of photons by atoms,
radiation damping and resonance fluorescence, dispersion relations and causality, relativistic wave
equation (Klein- Gordon and Dirac equations), basics of quantum electrodynamics.

1. Sakurai, J. J., Advanced Quantum Mechanics, Addison-Wesley, 1994.

2. Landau, L.D. and Lifshitz, E.M. & Petaevskii, Quantum Electrodynamics, Pergamon Press, 1982.
3. Mathews & Venkatesan, Quantum Mechanics, Tata McGraw-Hill, 1976.

16.Physical Optics
Complex representation of waves, propagation of waves, diffraction, scalar diffraction theory,
Fresnel and Fraunhoffer diffraction and application to measurement, partially coherent light,
diffraction and image formation. Microscopic and macroscopic forms of Maxwell's equations, energy
flow in electromagnetic fields, dipole radiation from Lorentz atoms, partially polarized radiation,
spectral line broadening, dispersion, reflection and transmission.

1. Rybicki & Lightman, Radiative Processes in Astrophysics, John Wiley and Sons, 1985.
2. Born & Wolf, Principles of Optics, 7th ed., Cambridge University Press, 2002.

17.General Relativity and Cosmology

Foundations of general relativity, elements of tensor analysis, Schwarzschild and Kerr spacetimes,
black hole physics, gravitational radiation, gravitational lensing, cosmological models,
observational tests, the early universe, the microwave background, formation of structuresd dark
matter and dark energy.

1. Landau, L.D. & Lifshitz, E.M., The Classical Theory of Fields, 2nd ed., Pergamon Press, 1995.
2. Hartle, J. B., Gravity: Introduction to Einstein's General Relativity, Pearson Education, 2003.
3. Peebles, P.J.E., Physical Cosmology, Princeton University Press, 1993.

18.Physics of Compact Objects

Physical properties of black holes, white dwarfs, and neutron stars, formation of compact objects,
equilibrium configurations, equations of state, stability criteria, and mass limits: the influence of
rotation and magnetic fields, pulsar phenomena, black hole spacetimes, Hawking radiation, mass
flow in binary systems, spherical and disk accretion, high-temperature radiation processes,pulsar
spin-up, compact x-ray sources and x-ray bursts, supermassive black holes in star clusters and
galactic nuclei, gravitational and neutrino radiation from supernova collapse and binary
coalescence.

1. Shapiro S. & Teukolsky, S., Black Holes, White Dwarfs and Neutron Stars, John Wiley, 1983.
2. Glendenning, Compact Stars: Nuclear Physics, Particle Physics and General Relativity, 2nd ed.,
Springer, 2000.
19.Diffuse Matter in Space
Discussion of the important physical processes in the interstellar medium, including heating and
cooling, atomic and molecular excitation, chemical reactions, ionization and recombination,
radiative transfer, fluid dynamics, and physics of interstellar dust. Review of observational
evidence from which properties of the interstellar medium are inferred. Problems considered
include physical conditions in interstellar clouds, interstellar shock waves, effects of cosmic rays,
magnetic fields, and star formation.

1) Spitzer, L., Physical Processes in the Insterstellar Medium, John Wiley and Sons, 1998.
2) Sutherland, R. & Dopita, M., Astrophysics of the Diffuse Universe, Springer-Verlag, 2003.

20.Stellar Atmospheres
Fundamentals of radiative transfer, radiative flux, specific Intensity and its moments, Radiative
pressure, Radiative transfer equation, line and continuum optical depths and source functions,
Eddington-Milne approximation, Chandrasekhar solution model atmospheres, equation of state,
Saha's ionization equation, local thermodynamic equilibrium models, convective equilibrium,
Non-LTE models, spectral line analysis, photoionisation equilibrium, thermal equilibrium,
calculation of absorption and emission line spectra, comparison of theory with observations,
calculations of chemical composition, mass-loss/transfer, study of stellar winds, circumstellar
envelopes, study of geometry, temperature, and density distribution of the extended atmospheres
or ejecta around stellar objects.

1. Mihalas, D., Stellar Atmospheres, 2nd ed., W.H. Freeman, 2006.

2. Gray, D., Observation and Analysis of Stellar Photosphere, 3rd ed., Cambridge University Press,
2005.

21.Galactic Structure & Dynamics

Galactic structure: Local and large scale distribution of stars and interstellar matter, the spiral
structure, the Galactic centre, Galactic dynamics, stellar relaxation, dynamical friction, star
clusters, density wave theory of galactic spiral structure, chemical evolution in the galaxy, stellar
populations, galaxies, morphological classification of galaxies, clusters of galaxies, interactions of
galaxies, dark matter, evolution of galaxies.

1. Binney, J. and Tremaine: S., Galactic Dynamics, Princeton University Press, 1994.
2. Binney J. and Merrifield, Galactic Astronomy, Princeton University Press, 1998.
22.Sun & Solar System
The sun, helioseismology, convection, solar magnetism: flux tubes, sun spots, dynamo, solar cycle,
chromosphere, corona, solar wind, physical processes in the solar system; dynamics of the solar
system; physics of planetary atmospheres; individual planets; comets, asteroids, and other
constituents of the solar system; extra-solar planets; formation of the solar system, stars, and
planets.

1. Stix, M., The Sun: An Introduction, 2nd ed., Springer, 2004.

2. George H. A. Cole & Michael M. Woolfson, Planetary Science: The Science of Planets Around
Stars, IOP Publishing, 2002.

23.Electromagnetics and Wave Optics

Maxwell equation of electromagnetic waves, Propagation through free space, Guided wave and
waveguides, Hertzian dipole radiation antenna, Dipole antennas as receiving antenna, Reflection
antenna, Radiation pattern analysis, Cassegrainian antenna, Synthetic aperture antenna,
Propagation of E.M. wave through plasma, Light as E.M.Wave, Huygen – Fresnel principle for light
propagation, geometrical theory of propagation of light, Eikonal equation for propagation of light in
homogeneous and inhomogeneous media.

Electromagnetic Waves : E.C.Jordan & K.G.Balmain

Electromagnetics for Engineers : A.T.Adams
Microwave Devices : P.R.Karmel, G.D.Collef & R.L.Camisa

24.Astrophysical Concepts
Astronomy fundamentals, Black body radiation, Radiation mechanism, Flux density and luminosity,
basics of Radiative transfer and Radiative processes, Magnitudes, Motions and Distances of Stars :
Absolute stellar magnitude and distance modulus, Bolometric and radiometric magnitudes,
Colour-index and luminosities of stars, Stellar positions and motions, Velocity dispersion, Statistical
and moving cluster parallax, Extinction, Stellar temperature, Effective temperature, Brightness
temperature, Color temperature, Kinetic temperature, Excitation temperature, Ionization
temperature, Spectral Classification of stars, Utility of stellar spectrum, stellar atmospheres.
Overview of the major contents of the universe, Sun and stars, stellar interiors, HR diagram,
nuclear energy generation, neutrino astronomy, white dwarfs and neutron stars, plasma
processes, compact objects, shape, size and contents of our galaxy, basics of stellar dynamics,
normal and active galaxies, gravitational wave astronomy, high energy physics, Newtonian
cosmology, microwave background, early universe.

An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics : B.W.Carrol & D.A.Ostlie

Astrophysical Concepts : M.Harwit
An Introduction to Astrophysics : Baidyanath Basu
Astronomical Physics : Stars and Galaxies : K.D.Abhayankar
The Sun : An Introduction : M.Stix
Stellar Atmospheres : D.Mihalas
An Introduction to the Study of Stellar Structures : S.Chandrasekhar
Spherical Astronomy : W.M.Smart
25.Optical Techniques in Astrophysics
Coherence : Physical origin of line widths, Temporal and spatial coherence, Coherent scattering
and dispersion, Propagation of mutual coherence, Degree of coherence, Van Cittart-Zernike
theorem, Application of coherence theory to astronomy.
Diffraction: Occurrence of diffraction, Scalar wave approximation, Kirchoff’s scalar diffraction
theory, Fresnel diffraction, Frounhoffer diffraction and Fourier optics.
Polarization: Nature of polarized light, Dichorism, Birefringence, Scattering and polarization,
Polarizing devices, Mueller matrix, Jones matrix formalism.
Ray-Optical theory of image formation: Paraxial approximation, Optical invariants, Doppler shift
and its consequence
Aberration measure : Ray and wave aberrations – interrelationship – reference sphere, Power
series expansion for axially symmetric systems, Aberration types and orders, Zernike circle
polynomials, Chromatic aberration, Secondary spectrum
Diffraction theory of image formation : Airy pattern, Two-point resolution, Rayleigh criterion of
resolution, Point spread function of aberrated system, Aberration tolerances, Marechal criterion,
Aberration balancing, System theoretic viewpoint of image formation, principles of superposition,
Space invariance and isoplanatism, Optical transfer function, Modulation transfer function, Phase
transfer function, Factor of encircled energy, Strehl ratio, Merit function.

Principles of Optics : M.Born & E.Wolf

Modern Optics : E.B.Brown
Polarized Light : W.H.Shurcliff
Astronomical Optics : D.J.Shroeder
Optics : E.Hecht
Polarized Light : Fundamentals and Applications : E.Collett

26.Observational Techniques in Astronomy

Telescopes at different wavelengths, imaging, spectroscopy, Spectro-polarimetry.
Theory of atmospheric turbulence, Basic formulations of atmospheric turbulence, Turbulent flows,
Inertial subrange, Structure functions of the velocity field, Kolmogorov spectrum of the velocity
field, Statistics of temperature fluctuations, Refractive index fluctuations, Experimental validation
of structure constants, Imaging in randomly inhomogeneous media Seeing-limited images,
Atmospheric coherence length, Atmospheric coherence, Aniso-planatism.
Speckle : Origin of speckle, Random phasor sums, First-order statistics of intensity and phase, Sum
of speckles, Multidimensional statistics of speckle, Electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI),
Autocorrelation function and power spectrum of speckle, Speckle in imaging through atmosphere,
Astronomical speckle interferometry, Cross-spectrum technique, Bispectrum technique.
Optical aperture synthesis: single aperture and multiaperture synthesis, phase closure techniques,
resolving power of an interferometer, Nulling interferometry, Baseline geometry, (u, v) - plane
tracks, Beam combination, Delay-lines, Phase and group delay tracking, Calibration, Limitations
and constraints of interferometry, visibility determination, Data Processing: Aperture synthesis
mapping.

Speckle Phenomenon in Optics : J.W.Goodman

Statistical Optics : J.W.Goodman
Diffraction Limited Imaging with Large and Moderate Telescopes : S.K.Saha
Aperture Synthesis - Methods and Applications to Optical Astronomy : S. K. Saha
Astronomical Optics : D.J.Shroeder
Astronomical Techniques : W.A.Hiltner
27.Detection Techniques in Astronomy
Stellar interferometry: Fizeau-Stephan interferometer, Michelson stellar interferometer
Radio interferometry: Radio telescope, Brightness and antenna temperatures, Sensitivity,
Brightness distribution, Radio interferometer, Fringe visibility, Very long baseline interferometry,
Intensity interferometry: Intensity interferometer in radio and visible wavelengths, Narrabri
intensity interferometer, Intensity correlations in partially coherent fields, Correlation between the
signals of the photo-detectors.
Detectors, Photo-electric effect, Detecting light, Photo-detector elements, Detection of photoelectrons,
Photo-multiplier tube, Image intensifiers, Single photon counter, sensitivity, noise,
quantum efficiency, spectral response, Johnson noise, signal to noise ratio, background,
aberrations, detectors at different wavelengths, calibration, CCD, CMOS, Correlation
measurements.

Introduction to Optical Stellar Interferometry : A.Lebeyrie, S.G.Lipson & P.Nisension

The Intensity Interferometry : Its Applications to Astronomy : R.H.Brown
Optical Radiation Detectors : E.L.Dereniak & D.G.Crowe
Optical Sources, Detectors & Systems : R.Kingston
Introduction to Optical Engineering : F.T.S.Yu
Optical Detectors for Astronomy : J.W.Beletic & P.D’Amico
Semiconductor Optoelectronic Devices : P.Bhattacharya
Applications of Thermal Imaging : Ed. S.G.Burnay, T.L.Wilman & C.H.Jones
Aperture Synthesis - Methods and Applications to Optical Astronomy : S. K. Saha

28.Control Instrumentation & Adaptive

Optics
Digital signal and digital signal processor (DSP); Programmable logic controller (PLC), Field
programmable gate array (FPGA), Embedded system PID controller, Direct digital controller,
Distributed controller, supervisory controller optimum controller, adaptive controller: model
reference and self tuning controller. Adaptive Optics, Basic principles, Elements of adaptive optics
systems, Wavefront sensors, Wavefront reconstruction, Reference source, Multi-conjugate
adaptive optics

Digital Signal Processing and Microcontroller : D.Grover & J.R.Deller

Introduction to Microprocessors and Microcontrollers : J.Crisp
Digital Signal Processing Fundamentals : A.A.Khan
Digital Signal Processing : J.G.Prokais & D.G.Manolakis
Applications of Analog Integrated Circuits : S.Soclof
Principles of Adaptive Optics : R.K.Tyson

29.Computational Astrophysics, Statistics

and Data Mining
Coordinate systems, precession, time, heliocentric corrections; methods of observation, resolution,
methods of data reduction, Fourier transforms, calibrations; Numerical techniques, errors and error
propagation, numerical integration and interpolation, random numbers, astrostatistics, probability
distributions, hypothesis testing, sampling methods, multivariate analysis, regression, time-series
analysis, data reduction, error analysis, numerical solutions of algebraic, ordinary differential and
partial differential equations.
Methods of Celestial Mechanics ; Vol I & II : G.Beutler, L.Mervert & A.Verdun
Numerical Astrophysics : S.M.Miyama, K.Tomisaka & T Hanawa
Astrophysics with a PC : An Introduction to Computational Astrophysics : P.Hellings
Introduction to Data Mining : P.N.Tan, M.Steinbach & V.Kumar
Astrostatistics : J.G.Babu & E.D.Fiegelson

30.Fundamentals Of Electromagnetics