simple differential equation question

[n0_3sc]

If I have:
\frac{dA(t,z)}{dz}

is it possible to convert this to a differential in the form:
\frac{dI(t,z)}{dz}
given that I(t,z)=|A(t,z)|^2/a? (Where a is a constant).

Any advice would help, thanks.

[tiny-tim]

hi n0_3sc! :smile:

dI(t,z)/dz would be (2/a) A(t,z).dA(t,z)/dz

[n0_3sc]

so there's no complex conjugate anywhere?

[tiny-tim]

now i'm totally confused :redface:

are you saying that A is complex, but I is real? :confused:

(and in any case, I has two copies of A, and A (obviously) only has one)

[n0_3sc]

Sorry, A is a complex quantity so |A(t,z)|^2=A(t,z)A*(t,z)

I'm confused about differentiating that.

[tiny-tim]

product rule … A'A* + AA'* :wink:

[n0_3sc]

thanks :)