3.30 p.m.
The optics mechanics analogy
Rajaram Nityananda
IISER, Pune.
18-03-13

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Abstract

The advanced view of classical mechanics in terms of the principle of least action, and canonical transformations, had its origin in optics. Ironically, this two hundred year old insight is still not the standard treatment and is hence the subject of this talk, which will go over some of the nontrivial results to which this approach leads.

PS: The talk will be sufficiently general and will be accessible to students.