Gravitational Lensing
Module PH2242
Module version of WS 2016/7
There are historic module descriptions of this module. A module description is valid until replaced by a newer one.
Whether the module’s courses are offered during a specific semester is listed in the section Courses, Learning and Teaching Methods and Literature below.
| available module versions | ||
|---|---|---|
| WS 2022/3 | SS 2019 | WS 2016/7 |
Basic Information
PH2242 is a semester module in English language at Master’s level which is offered in winter semester.
This Module is included in the following catalogues within the study programs in physics.
- Specific catalogue of special courses for nuclear, particle, and astrophysics
- Complementary catalogue of special courses for condensed matter physics
- Complementary catalogue of special courses for Biophysics
- Complementary catalogue of special courses for Applied and Engineering Physics
- Specialization Modules in Elite-Master Program Theoretical and Mathematical Physics (TMP)
If not stated otherwise for export to a non-physics program the student workload is given in the following table.
| Total workload | Contact hours | Credits (ECTS) |
|---|---|---|
| 150 h | 60 h | 5 CP |
Responsible coordinator of the module PH2242 in the version of WS 2016/7 was Sherry Suyu.
Content, Learning Outcome and Preconditions
Content
Imagine a galaxy that lies behind another galaxy. Will you see the galaxy in the back? If you think not, think again. The gravitational field of the galaxy in the front will bend the light from the background source, so that the background source appears to be distorted, magnified and can even have multiple images. This phenomenon is gravitational lensing.
Gravitational lensing is now a powerful astrophysical tool to study planetary systems, black holes, galaxies, clusters of galaxies and cosmology. This course presents the underlying theory of gravitational lensing and the various astrophysical applications.
Learning Outcome
After successful completion of this module, the student is able to
- understand the working principle of gravitational lensing.
- apply gravitational lensing as an astrophysical tool to study current puzzles in astronomy such as how galaxies form and evolve, what is dark matter and what is dark energy.
- use gravitational lensing to detect matter and weigh galaxies.
- use gravitational lensing to probe the dark matter halo of the Milky Way.
- write a master thesis in this field of research.
- participate in current research projects in this field.
Preconditions
No preconditions in addition to the requirements for the Master’s program in Physics.
Courses, Learning and Teaching Methods and Literature
Courses and Schedule
| Type | SWS | Title | Lecturer(s) | Dates | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VO | 2 | Gravitational Lensing | Suyu, S. |
Mon, 10:00–12:00, PH II 127 |
|
| UE | 2 | Exercise to Gravitational Lensing |
Responsible/Coordination: Suyu, S. |
dates in groups |
Learning and Teaching Methods
In classroom lectures the teaching and learning content is presented and explained in a didactical, structured, and comprehensive form. This includes basic knowledge as well as selected current topics from the research field of gravitational lensing. Crucial facts are conveyed by involving the students in scientific discussions to develop their intellectual power and to stimulate their analytic thinking on astrophysics problems. Regular attendance of the lectures is therefore highly recommended.
The presentation of the learning content is enhanced by problem examples and calculations that the students should work on a voluntary basis. These examples are intended to deepen the students' understanding and to help their learning of the course material. They are discussed at the tutorial sessions to aid the students’ comprehension of the subject.
The examples as well as regular self-study of personal notes from the lectures and of textbooks are an important part of the learning process by the students. Such post-processing and practising of the teaching content is indispensable to achieve the intended learning results that the students develop the ability of explaining and applying the learned knowledge independently.
Media
PowerPoint presentation, blackboard, discussions, post-lecture PDFs, videos, textbook, complementary literature, exercises in individual and group work, practise sheets
Literature
“Gravitational Lensing: Strong, Weak and Micro” by Schneider, Kochanek & Wambsganss
https://www.springer.com/de/book/9783540303091
“Gravitational Lensing” by Dodelson
http://admin.cambridge.org/academic/subjects/physics/cosmology-relativity-and-gravitation/gravitational-lensing?format=AR
“Astrophysical Applications of Gravitational Lensing” by Suyu, Gould, Motta, Falco, Wambsganss, Schneider, Fassnacht, Keeton and Jimenez-Vincente. Editors: Mediavilla, Munoz, Garzon, Mahoney
http://admin.cambridge.org/se/academic/subjects/physics/astrophysics/astrophysical-applications-gravitational-lensing
Module Exam
Description of exams and course work
There will be an oral exam of about 25 minutes duration. Therein the achievement of the competencies given in section learning outcome is tested exemplarily at least to the given cognition level using comprehension questions and sample calculations.
For example an assignment in the exam might be:
- How do you use gravitational lensing to measure the mass distribution of galaxy clusters?
- How is gravitational lensing a cosmological probe?
- What is microlensing?
Participation in the tutorials is strongly recommended since the exercises prepare for the problems of the exam and rehearse the specific competencies.
Exam Repetition
The exam may be repeated at the end of the semester.