{
  "title": "Tesla Coil Spark Physics: Complete Course",
  "version": "1.0.0",
  "author": "Tesla Coil Community",
  "description": "A comprehensive course teaching the physics, mathematics, and simulation techniques required to understand and model Tesla coil sparks. From basic circuit theory to advanced distributed modeling with FEMM.",
  "estimated_total_time": 840,
  "total_lessons": 30,
  "total_exercises": 18,
  "total_points": 525,

  "prerequisites": {
    "required": [
      "Basic AC circuit analysis (impedance, phasors)",
      "Complex number arithmetic",
      "Basic calculus (derivatives, integrals)",
      "Familiarity with SPICE circuit simulation"
    ],
    "recommended": [
      "Electromagnetic field theory basics",
      "Experience with FEMM or similar FEA software",
      "Tesla coil operating experience"
    ]
  },

  "structure": [
    {
      "id": "part-1",
      "title": "Part 1: Circuit Fundamentals",
      "description": "Foundation concepts for understanding spark impedance, admittance analysis, and topological constraints",
      "estimated_time": 200,
      "sections": [
        {
          "id": "fundamentals",
          "title": "Circuit Fundamentals",
          "path": "lessons/01-fundamentals",
          "description": "Learn the basic circuit model, admittance analysis, phase constraints, and measurement techniques",
          "lessons": [
            {
              "id": "fund-01",
              "filename": "01-introduction.md",
              "title": "Introduction and AC Circuit Review",
              "estimated_time": 20,
              "difficulty": "beginner"
            },
            {
              "id": "fund-02",
              "filename": "02-basic-circuit-model.md",
              "title": "Basic Spark Circuit Model",
              "estimated_time": 25,
              "difficulty": "beginner"
            },
            {
              "id": "fund-03",
              "filename": "03-admittance-analysis.md",
              "title": "Admittance Analysis of Parallel Circuits",
              "estimated_time": 30,
              "difficulty": "intermediate"
            },
            {
              "id": "fund-04",
              "filename": "04-phase-angles.md",
              "title": "Understanding Phase Angles",
              "estimated_time": 20,
              "difficulty": "intermediate"
            },
            {
              "id": "fund-05",
              "filename": "05-phase-constraint.md",
              "title": "Topological Phase Constraint",
              "estimated_time": 25,
              "difficulty": "intermediate"
            },
            {
              "id": "fund-06",
              "filename": "06-why-not-45-degrees.md",
              "title": "Why Not -45 Degrees?",
              "estimated_time": 15,
              "difficulty": "intermediate"
            },
            {
              "id": "fund-07",
              "filename": "07-measurement-port.md",
              "title": "Correct Measurement Port",
              "estimated_time": 20,
              "difficulty": "intermediate"
            },
            {
              "id": "fund-08",
              "filename": "08-review-exercises.md",
              "title": "Part 1 Review and Integration",
              "estimated_time": 45,
              "difficulty": "intermediate"
            }
          ],
          "exercises": [
            "fund-ex-02a", "fund-ex-02b", "fund-ex-02c",
            "fund-ex-03a", "fund-ex-03b",
            "fund-ex-04a", "fund-ex-04b",
            "fund-ex-05a",
            "fund-ex-08-comprehensive",
            "fund-ex-checkpoint-quiz"
          ],
          "key_concepts": [
            "mutual_capacitance",
            "shunt_capacitance",
            "admittance_analysis",
            "phase_constraint",
            "measurement_port",
            "topological_limits"
          ]
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "part-2",
      "title": "Part 2: Optimization & Simulation",
      "description": "Learn optimization principles, Thévenin analysis, and simulation techniques for Tesla coil sparks",
      "estimated_time": 280,
      "sections": [
        {
          "id": "optimization",
          "title": "Optimization & Simulation",
          "path": "lessons/02-optimization",
          "description": "Master power optimization, self-adjustment mechanisms, and Thévenin equivalent analysis",
          "lessons": [
            {
              "id": "opt-01",
              "filename": "01-two-resistances.md",
              "title": "Two Critical Resistances",
              "estimated_time": 35,
              "difficulty": "intermediate"
            },
            {
              "id": "opt-02",
              "filename": "02-hungry-streamer.md",
              "title": "The Hungry Streamer Principle",
              "estimated_time": 30,
              "difficulty": "advanced"
            },
            {
              "id": "opt-03",
              "filename": "03-thevenin-method.md",
              "title": "Thévenin Equivalent Extraction",
              "estimated_time": 40,
              "difficulty": "intermediate"
            },
            {
              "id": "opt-04",
              "filename": "04-thevenin-calculations.md",
              "title": "Power Calculations with Thévenin",
              "estimated_time": 45,
              "difficulty": "intermediate"
            },
            {
              "id": "opt-05",
              "filename": "05-direct-measurement.md",
              "title": "Direct Power Measurement",
              "estimated_time": 25,
              "difficulty": "intermediate"
            },
            {
              "id": "opt-06",
              "filename": "06-frequency-tracking.md",
              "title": "Frequency Tracking and Loaded Poles",
              "estimated_time": 45,
              "difficulty": "advanced"
            },
            {
              "id": "opt-07",
              "filename": "07-review-exercises.md",
              "title": "Part 2 Review and Design Challenge",
              "estimated_time": 60,
              "difficulty": "intermediate"
            }
          ],
          "exercises": [
            "opt-ex-01a",
            "opt-ex-01b",
            "opt-ex-thevenin-complete"
          ],
          "key_concepts": [
            "R_opt_power",
            "R_opt_phase",
            "hungry_streamer",
            "thevenin_equivalent",
            "frequency_tracking",
            "loaded_poles",
            "power_optimization"
          ]
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "part-3",
      "title": "Part 3: Spark Growth Physics",
      "description": "Understand the physics of spark formation, growth, and energy requirements",
      "estimated_time": 260,
      "sections": [
        {
          "id": "spark-physics",
          "title": "Spark Growth Physics",
          "path": "lessons/03-spark-physics",
          "description": "Master electric field thresholds, energy per meter, thermal dynamics, and streamer-to-leader transitions",
          "lessons": [
            {
              "id": "phys-01",
              "filename": "01-field-thresholds.md",
              "title": "Electric Field Thresholds",
              "estimated_time": 20,
              "difficulty": "intermediate"
            },
            {
              "id": "phys-02",
              "filename": "02-voltage-limits.md",
              "title": "Voltage-Limited Spark Length",
              "estimated_time": 25,
              "difficulty": "intermediate"
            },
            {
              "id": "phys-03",
              "filename": "03-energy-per-meter.md",
              "title": "Energy Per Meter Concept",
              "estimated_time": 30,
              "difficulty": "intermediate"
            },
            {
              "id": "phys-04",
              "filename": "04-empirical-epsilon.md",
              "title": "Empirical ε Values by Mode",
              "estimated_time": 35,
              "difficulty": "advanced"
            },
            {
              "id": "phys-05",
              "filename": "05-thermal-memory.md",
              "title": "Thermal Memory and Persistence",
              "estimated_time": 40,
              "difficulty": "advanced"
            },
            {
              "id": "phys-06",
              "filename": "06-streamers-vs-leaders.md",
              "title": "Streamers vs Leaders",
              "estimated_time": 35,
              "difficulty": "advanced"
            },
            {
              "id": "phys-07",
              "filename": "07-capacitive-divider.md",
              "title": "The Capacitive Divider Problem",
              "estimated_time": 30,
              "difficulty": "advanced"
            },
            {
              "id": "phys-08",
              "filename": "08-freau-relationship.md",
              "title": "Freau's Empirical Scaling",
              "estimated_time": 25,
              "difficulty": "intermediate"
            },
            {
              "id": "phys-09",
              "filename": "09-review-exercises.md",
              "title": "Part 3 Review and QCW Design",
              "estimated_time": 20,
              "difficulty": "advanced"
            }
          ],
          "exercises": [
            "phys-ex-01a",
            "phys-ex-03a",
            "phys-ex-comprehensive",
            "phys-ex-conceptual-limits"
          ],
          "key_concepts": [
            "E_inception",
            "E_propagation",
            "energy_per_meter",
            "epsilon_calibration",
            "thermal_diffusion",
            "streamers",
            "leaders",
            "capacitive_divider",
            "voltage_limited",
            "power_limited"
          ]
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "part-4",
      "title": "Part 4: Advanced Modeling",
      "description": "Learn FEMM extraction techniques and build lumped and distributed spark models",
      "estimated_time": 285,
      "sections": [
        {
          "id": "advanced-modeling",
          "title": "Advanced Modeling Techniques",
          "path": "lessons/04-advanced-modeling",
          "description": "Master FEMM capacitance extraction, lumped models, distributed models, and resistance optimization",
          "lessons": [
            {
              "id": "model-01",
              "filename": "01-lumped-model.md",
              "title": "Lumped Spark Model Theory",
              "estimated_time": 35,
              "difficulty": "advanced"
            },
            {
              "id": "model-02",
              "filename": "02-femm-extraction-lumped.md",
              "title": "FEMM Extraction for Lumped Model",
              "estimated_time": 50,
              "difficulty": "advanced"
            },
            {
              "id": "model-03",
              "filename": "03-distributed-model.md",
              "title": "Distributed Model Introduction",
              "estimated_time": 40,
              "difficulty": "advanced"
            },
            {
              "id": "model-04",
              "filename": "04-femm-extraction-distributed.md",
              "title": "FEMM Extraction for Distributed Model",
              "estimated_time": 55,
              "difficulty": "advanced"
            },
            {
              "id": "model-05",
              "filename": "05-resistance-optimization.md",
              "title": "Resistance Optimization Algorithms",
              "estimated_time": 55,
              "difficulty": "advanced"
            },
            {
              "id": "model-06",
              "filename": "06-review-exercises.md",
              "title": "Part 4 Review and Complete Project",
              "estimated_time": 50,
              "difficulty": "advanced"
            }
          ],
          "exercises": [
            "model-ex-lumped-complete"
          ],
          "key_concepts": [
            "lumped_model",
            "distributed_model",
            "FEMM_extraction",
            "Maxwell_capacitance_matrix",
            "partial_capacitance",
            "resistance_optimization",
            "iterative_algorithm",
            "circuit_determined_R",
            "passivity_check",
            "matrix_validation"
          ]
        }
      ]
    }
  ],

  "reference_materials": {
    "equation_sheet": "reference/equation-sheet.md",
    "physical_bounds": "reference/physical-bounds.md",
    "glossary": "reference/glossary.yaml"
  },

  "worked_examples": {
    "path": "worked-examples",
    "examples": [
      "calculating-ropt.md",
      "thevenin-extraction.md",
      "spark-growth-timeline.md",
      "femm-lumped-extraction.md",
      "distributed-model-complete.md"
    ]
  },

  "learning_paths": [
    {
      "id": "beginner",
      "title": "Beginner Path",
      "description": "For those new to Tesla coils or RF circuit analysis",
      "lessons": [
        "fund-01", "fund-02", "fund-03", "fund-04", "fund-06", "fund-07", "fund-08",
        "opt-01", "opt-03", "opt-04",
        "phys-01", "phys-02", "phys-03", "phys-08"
      ],
      "skip": ["opt-02", "opt-06", "phys-04", "phys-05", "phys-06", "phys-07", "part-4"]
    },
    {
      "id": "intermediate",
      "title": "Complete Course",
      "description": "Full course for comprehensive understanding",
      "lessons": "all"
    },
    {
      "id": "simulation-focus",
      "title": "Simulation Focus",
      "description": "For those primarily interested in modeling and simulation",
      "lessons": [
        "fund-01", "fund-02", "fund-03", "fund-05", "fund-08",
        "opt-01", "opt-03", "opt-04", "opt-05", "opt-06",
        "phys-01", "phys-02", "phys-03", "phys-04",
        "model-01", "model-02", "model-03", "model-04", "model-05"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "physics-focus",
      "title": "Physics Focus",
      "description": "For those primarily interested in spark physics",
      "lessons": [
        "fund-01", "fund-02", "fund-03",
        "opt-01", "opt-02",
        "phys-01", "phys-02", "phys-03", "phys-04", "phys-05", "phys-06", "phys-07", "phys-08", "phys-09"
      ]
    }
  ],

  "tags": {
    "circuit-theory": ["fund-01", "fund-02", "fund-03", "fund-04", "fund-05", "fund-07"],
    "admittance": ["fund-03", "fund-04", "opt-01", "opt-03"],
    "optimization": ["opt-01", "opt-02", "opt-03", "opt-04", "opt-05", "opt-06"],
    "thevenin": ["opt-03", "opt-04"],
    "frequency-tracking": ["opt-06"],
    "field-theory": ["phys-01", "phys-02", "phys-07"],
    "energy-budget": ["phys-03", "phys-04", "phys-08"],
    "thermal-physics": ["phys-05", "phys-06"],
    "plasma-physics": ["phys-06"],
    "FEMM": ["model-02", "model-04"],
    "modeling": ["model-01", "model-02", "model-03", "model-04", "model-05"],
    "SPICE": ["opt-05", "model-01", "model-04", "model-05"],
    "advanced": ["opt-02", "opt-06", "phys-04", "phys-05", "phys-06", "phys-07", "model-01", "model-02", "model-03", "model-04", "model-05"]
  },

  "metadata": {
    "created": "2025-10-10",
    "last_updated": "2025-10-10",
    "format_version": "1.0",
    "license": "Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0",
    "repository": "https://github.com/your-repo/spark-lessons"
  }
}