OSP-based Programs for Advanced Physics:
Electromagnetic Radiation Demos

 

Standard Trajectories shows the five standard trajectories of a moving point charge that give rise to radiation.  Bremsstrahlung shows a moving charge experiencing "braking," a constant deceleration, giving rise to radiation.   SHO x and SHO y show a particle moving in simple harmonic motion in either the x or y direction.  There are two examples of constant velocity motion of the particle in one direction, and a constant acceleration motion in the other direction.  Wiggler x and Wiggler y show a particle moving in simple harmonic motion in either the x or y direction and a constant velocity in the other direction.  A particle following these trajectories (subjected to alternating magnetic fields) is called a wiggler and such high-intensity radiation from a wiggler can be harnessed in a free electron laser.  Finally, there is Synchrotron radiation in which the positively charged particle is forced to move in circular motion.