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The Charged Bowl in Toroidal Coordinates
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A monograph by Phil Lucht (Rimrock Digital Technology, last updated January 2016) that fills in a stub section of Kirk McDonald's 2002 paper on the charged bowl problem. It derives the potential, inner and outer surface charge densities and capacitance, with limiting cases, Mehler integrals, and Maple plotting code. It also treats the charged torus, Kelvin's and Smythe's approaches, and Abel and Fourier transform appendices.
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1 The Charged Bowl in Toroidal Coordinates
Phil Lucht
Rimrock Digital Technology, Salt Lake City, Utah 84103
last update: January 5, 2016
Maple code is available upon request. Co mments and errata are welcome.
The material in this document is copyrighted by the author.
The graphics look ratty in Windows Adobe PDF viewers wh en not scaled up, but look just fine in this
excellent freeware viewer: http://www.tracker-software.com/pdf-xchange-products-co mparison-chart .
Overview an d Summary ........................................................................................................... .............. 3
1. Bipolar and toroidal coordinates ............................................................................................ ........... 7
1.1 Bipolar coordinates ........................................................................................................ ................. 7
1.2 Toroidal coordinates ....................................................................................................................... 9
2. The charged bowl potentia l in toroidal coordinates ...................................................................... 16
2.1 Level curves, the charged ellipsoid problem and a dashed hope .................................................. 16
2.2 Cartesian, spherical, toroidal and ellipsoidal atomic forms .......................................................... 17
2.3 Smythian forms and one for the bowl........................................................................................... 18
2.4 Solution to the charged bowl potential problem: the Mehler-Fock Transform............................ 19
2.5 Limiting cases of the potential............................................................................................ .......... 22
3. The charged double-bowl potential in toroidal coordinates.......................................................... 26
3.1 The general double bowl solution........................................................................................... ......26
3.2 Special case: a bow l with a flat lid....................................................................................... ......... 29
3.3 Special case: a sessile drop (lens-shaped double bowl) ................................................................ 29
4. The charged bowl surface char ge densities and capacitance ........................................................ 31
4.1 Bowl surface charge densities....................................................................................................... 31
4.2 Comparison with known results, and the small-hole limit............................................................ 35
4.3 The full-sphere and flat-disk limits of σ....................................................................................... 39
4.4 Bowl capacitance ........................................................................................................... ............... 40
5. Plots of the toroidal coordinates u( ρ,z) and ξ(ρ,z).......................................................................... 43
6. A selection of charged bowl potential plots................................................................................ ....49
7. Mehler integrals ............................................................................................................ .................... 52
7.1 List of useful Mehler integrals............................................................................................ .......... 52
7.2 Evaluation of the integral X appearing in (4.1.10)........................................................................ 53
7.3 Where to find Mehler inte grals (some e rrata noted) ..................................................................... 55
7.4 Mehler Functions: hypergeometric forms and plots ..................................................................... 56
8. The bowl potential in elementary functions.................................................................................. ..61
9. Using Maple to plot the bowl potential ...................................................................................... .....64
10. Potential and capacitance of a charged torus ............................................................................... 67
10.1 The potential of a charged torus.................................................................................................. 67
10.2 How many terms should one k eep in the potential series? ......................................................... 69
2 10.3 Using Maple to plot the torus potential................................................................................... ....71
10.4 Capacitance of a torus.................................................................................................... ............. 74
10.5 Surface charge density on a torus ......................................................................................... ......77
10.6 Using Maple to plot the torus surface charge density ................................................................. 82
Appendix A. Maple code text for plotting the bowl and torus potentials ....................................... 86
Appendix B : Converting expressions from toroidal to cylindrical coordinates ............................ 89
B.1 The conversions............................................................................................................ ................ 89
B.2 Application: The Disk Potential........................................................................................... ....... 93
Appendix C: Kelvin's approach to the charged bowl problem........................................................ 96
Appendix D: Smythe's approach to the charged bowl problem .................................................... 100
Appendix E: Dual equations and their connection to the charged bowl problem ....................... 105
Appendix F: The Abel Tran sform in various forms ....................................................................... 110
Appendix G: Solving the charged bowl problem using a double Abel transform ....................... 113
G.1 Find g 1........................................................................................................................................ 113
G.2 Run a check on g 1...................................................................................................................... 117
G.3 Find a n........................................................................................................................................ 117
G.4 Find Ψ and f 2.............................................................................................................................. 119
Appendix H: Support......................................................................................................................... 121
H.1 Solving for A( τ) and B(τ) in (2.4.10) and double-bowl support ................................................ 121
H.2 Computation of the integral in (2.4.7)........................................................................................ 127
H.3 Computation of the integral in (4.4.2)........................................................................................ 128
H.4 Computation of two integrals used in Appendix J and K .......................................................... 129
H.5 Limits of toroidal functions (and combinations) as n→∞ .......................................................... 133
H.6 Limits of toroidal functions (and combinations) as z →∞.......................................................... 135
H.7 Limits of toroidal functions as z →1........................................................................................... 137
H.8 Alternate series fo r T(z) near z = 1 ....................................................................................... .....139
Appendix I. Capacitance in the th in-wire and horn torus limits .................................................... 141
I.1 The torus thin wire limit R →0..................................................................................................... 141
I.2 Warm-up exercises to prepar e for the degenerate torus limit..................................................... 145
I.3 Capacitance of a degene rate torus (horn torus) ........................................................................... 150
Appendix J. The Fourier Cosine Series Transform and the Mehler-Fock Transform................ 154
J.1 Regular boundary value probl ems and associated transforms..................................................... 154
J.2 The Fourier Cosine Series Transform ........................................................................................ .156
J.3 Application to f( θ) = (a-bcosθ )1/2............................................................................................... 159
J.4 The Q2 and QQ' sums................................................................................................................. 162
J.5 The Generalized Mehler-Fock Transform................................................................................... 164
Appendix K: Integration of torus surface char ge density.............................................................. 171
K.1 Warmup Exercises: Circumfe rence and Area of a Torus.......................................................... 171
K.2 Integration of the toro idal surface charge density..................................................................... 173
Appendix L: Some Mehler Integrals.............................................................................................. ...176
Appendix M: The behavior of f(z) = (a+cosz)1/2 as an analytic function..................................... 188
References............................................................................................................................................ 192
3
Overview and Summary
This docum
ent was motivated by a "stub" section app earing in an informal 2002 paper by Kirk McDonald
(see References) which reviews various solutions of th e charged bowl problem. Here is that section in its
entirety:
where [10] is our Lebedev et al. reference. The presen t document is meant to fill in this stub section!
The phrase "charged bowl" refers to an isolated c onducting spherical bowl, sometimes called a spherical
cap, shell or segment. An arbitrary plane slicing through a full spherical shell divides that shell into two
spherical bowls, each with the same circular lip. Th e "charged bowl problem" is this: put some charge Q
on an isolated conducting bowl and determine the resu lting electrostatic potential V everywhere as well as
the charge densities σ on the inner and outer bowl surfaces. The r eader versed in related problems (e.g.,
the charged disk) would not be surprised to find the char ge densities to be divergent (but integrable) at the
bowl edge and non-zero everywhere on the bowl. In practice, one normally assum es that the bowl is at
some potential V
0 relative to infinity, and then the charge on the bowl is Q = C bowlV0. Of course finding
capacitance C bowl is part of the problem.
In 1869 Lord Kelvin used the method of inversion (last seen lurking in green Jackson) to solve the
charged bowl problem for the inner and outer charge densities. Kelvin's "bowl paper" requires great patience to read, and is outlined in McDonald's pape r. Modern readers might have forgotten things like
"the chord theorem" and other geometric properties of circles. We comment more on Kelvin's bowl paper
in Appendix C and discuss how Kelvin showed the now-well-known fact that the inner and outer bowl
charge densities differ by the constant V
0/(4πR) which is independent of the bowl's lip angle and of the
location on the bowl. Certainly this result is valid for a fully closed bowl since σ = 0 inside and on the
outside σ = Q/A = C sphere V0/A = RV 0/(4πR2) = V0/(4πR).
In Appendix D we mention a fasc inating variation of the Kelvin inversion approach indicated by
Smythe in a set of problems. Besides inversion, various other methods exist to obtain an exact solution of this problem. Perhaps
the most well known is the use of "dual" Legendre se ries equations in friendly spherical coordinates as
outlined by Sneddon and others. One series (Dirichlet) sets the potential to a constant on the bowl, while a
radial derivative of that series (Neumann) sets the ch arge density to zero on the cap. The problem is then
to find series coefficients which satis fy both equations, neither of which is invertible since it only covers a
partial range of polar angle. In ma trix language, these dual equations are A Ψ = f and B Ψ = g where Ψ is
an infinite vector of unknown coefficients. Appendi x E shows formally how such dual equations may be
solved, and Appendix G solves the charged bowl problem using this method. A tool used in the dual
equations approach is the Abel transform, a summary of which is given in Appendix F.
Our main concern, despite all these spherical coordi nate appendices, is to obt ain an exact solution of
the charged bowl problem using the much less friendly to roidal coordinates. Surely this has been done
many hundred times since 1869, but the author has not found much on the web -- certainly not much that
is freely downloadable. But sources do exist and we quote some of them as needed for verification. After doing the bowl, we turn our attention to the problem of the charged torus.
4 The general plan is shown in the Contents above . Appendix A provides simple Maple code to allow
the reader to make plots of the bowl and torus pote ntials. Appendix I concerns a limit which seems to
indicate that the capacitance of a degenerate (horn) to rus of radius R is given by the strange value C =
1.7413R which can be compared to the capac itance C = 2.0000R of its embedding sphere.
In all that follows, we shall refer to the spheri cal conducting bowl as "the bowl", and shall refer to the
unoccupied remainder of the bowl's sphere as "the cap".
The symbol εn stands for 2-δ n,0, sometimes called Neumann's factor or number.
We use cgs units as in (4.1.2). Multiply our charge and capacitance results by 4 πε0 to convert them to
SI units.
When an equation is repeated, its equation number is put in italics. Section and Appendix summaries follow. Legendre Functions
The Legendre functions we write as P vμ(z) and Q vμ(z) are the standard associated Legendre functions
which are defined identically in our three main references Bateman ( 1953), NIST (2010), and GR7
(2007). These references all use a slightly italic font for these functions, but we use a non-italic font.
Morse and Feshbach's two-volume set came out ar ound the same time as Bateman (1953) and their P
and Q functions are unfortunately non-standard. For example, their toroidal Qμ
n-1/2 (z) function
definition (p 1329) is different from their associated Legendre Q vμ(z) function definition (p 1327), when
one sets ν = n-1/2. We prefer to use the same standard analytically continued functions for all values of ν
(degree) and μ (order) and z (argument). There are phase issues which depend on how the cuts are taken
away from the branch points at z = -1 and z = 1. We ta ke them both to the left to clear the interval (1, ∞)
for z, and this is the way NIST thinks of their italic P and Q functions.
In addition to these standard italic P and Q functions, NIST has non-italic Ferrers functions which are
slightly different. In addition, they use a bolded Q function and a bolded F function as follows:
where the unbolded Q and F are the standard Bateman functions
Generally all authors agree on the definitions of P ν(z) and Q ν(z).
The toroidal functions are Pμ
n-1/2 (z) and Qμ
n-1/2 (z).
The Mehler and conical functions are Pμ
iτ-1/2(z) and Qμ
iτ-1/2(z).
5 Section Summaries
Section 1 reviews bipolar ( ξ,u) and toroidal ( ξ,u,φ) coordinates .
Section 2 discusses the notion of atomic forms and Smythi an forms. A Smythian form for the charged
bowl is obtained and its coefficients co mputed, resulting in a solution for the bowl potential for which a
preliminary Maple plot is displayed. The Mehler-Fock Transform is encountered. The potential is
checked in various limiting cases such as the disk and large-r limit. Section 3 addresses the problem of two bowls having a common but possibly insulated lip. Special cases
of a bowl with a flat lid and a sessile droplet are considered. Section 4 uses the bowl potential obtained in Section 2 to compute the surface charge densities on the
two sides of the bowl. The results are compared with those of other workers including Kelvin. A quick
look is taken at the case of a bowl with a very sma ll opening. The limiting cases of a full sphere and flat
disk are studied. The large-r limit is then examined to obtain the bowl capacitance .
Section 5 studies graphically the nature of the u and ξ toroidal coordinates .
Section 6 displays a selection of bowl potential plots for various bowl labels u
0.
Section 7 discusses Mehler integrals and evaluates one as a detailed example. Some important integrals
are stated but their derivations are relegated to Appe ndix L. The short list of available sources for Mehler
integrals is reviewed and some errata in these sources are noted. The Mehler functions Piτ-1/2(chξ) and
Qiτ-1/2(chξ) are then plotted in several ways to reveal their oscillatory nature. The notion of regional
analytic continuation of func tions is briefly addressed.
Section 8 evaluates the integral-form bowl potential into a relatively simple expression involving only
elementary functions. Section 9 describes the Maple code which plots the bowl potential.
Section 10 basically repeats all of the above for a torus instead of a bowl. Whereas the initial bowl
potential is an integral over continuous variable τ, the torus potential is a sum of terms involving the
discrete index n. The sums are generally reasonably convergent allowing for truncation. Maple code to
plot the torus potential is presented and plots are shown. The torus capacitance is obtained, and the
surface charge density is computed, checked in several lim its, and plotted with more Maple code.
Detailed discussion of the thin-wire limit and the horn toroid limit is presented in Appendix I.
Appendix Summaries
About half the content of this document is contained in the following set of appendices.
Appendix A contains copy-and-paste text Maple code for generating plots of the potential of a charged
bowl and torus. The code is quite minimal.
6 Appendix B shows how to convert expressions from toroidal to cylindrical (and then Cartesian)
coordinates, with application to the potential of a charged disk.
Appendix C reviews Lord Kelvin's approach to the charged bowl using the theory of inversion.
Appendix D summarizes a sequence of Smythe problems which use the theory of inversion to explore
the properties of a charged bowl by first considering the Green's function of a conducting iris with a point
charge located within the iris hole. Appendix E presents a simple matrix theory fo r solving " dual equations ". The theory is then applied to
the charged disk in cylindrical coordinates a nd the charged bowl in spherical coordinates.
Appendix F states the generalized Abel transforms in several forms and comments on their connection
to Legendre and Bessel functions.
Appendix G applies the dual equation matrix approach of Appendix E and the Abel transforms of
Appendix F to find the bowl potential in spherical coordinates using a double Abel transform .
Appendix H contains supporting mathematical details that would furt her clutter the main text were they
placed there. Equations are solved, integrals are evalua ted, and limits are derived. Maple is often used to
verify results. Appendix I first examines the thin-wire limit of a torus and shows how capacitance lingers even as the
wire is made extremely thin. In I.2 the theory of series non-uniform convergence is reviewed and
applied to two simple series examples. Then in I.3 this theory is applied to determine the capacitance of a
horn torus to 8 decimal places.
Appendix J reviews the general notion of a transform , and shows how the Fourier Series Cosine
Transform fits into that framework. This last transform is then stated for the specific case that the
transformed function is f(x) = 1/
a-bcosx . This result is then used to state the free-space Green's function
in cylindrical coordinates. Certain sums of Q functions that are needed in Appendix K are derived. The
final section comments on the generalized Mehler-Fock Transform .
Appendix K does warmup integrations to compute the to roidal circumference and area using toroidal
coordinates. The main act then is integration of the toroidal charge density σ to get the total torus
charge Q and from that the capacitance C. This calcu lation is a check on result (10.5.10) for the torus
surface charge density and makes use of the Q sums of Appendix J.
Appendix L derives a set of six Mehler integrals .
Appendix M examines the function f(z) =
a+cos(z) as an analytic mapping.
7 1. Bipolar and toroidal coordinates
1.1 Bipolar coordinates
To un
derstand the toroidal coordinates ξ,u,φ, one must first understand bipolar coordinates ξ,u which
form a 2D orthogonal coordinate system. Th ese are described in detail in our monograph Bipolar (see
Refs) from which we extract a brief summary. Equation numbers from Bipolar are shown with primes.
In the following drawing, the two "poles" of the bipolar system are located on the x-axis at points x = ±a :
(2.3)' (1.1.1)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wi k i/Toroidal_coordinates
The blue circles are loci of constant ξ while the truncated red circles are loci of constant u. The red circles
are truncated at the x-axis.
The u parameter ranges from u = 0 to u = 2π as indicated in these drawings
8
(2.8)' (a) (2.9)' (b) (1.1.2) As u→ π, the truncated circles approach a line seg ment between the two focal points. As u → 0, the upper
truncated circles get very large and a pproach the union of the half lines (- ∞,-a) and (a, ∞). As u → 2π, the
lower truncated circles approach this same union locus, but from below.
Meanwhile, here are some of the blue circles of constant ξ with labels,
(2.5') (1.1.3)
As ξ → +∞, the blue circles contract around the right focal point. As ξ → - ∞, they contract around the
left focal point. As ξ → 0, the circles become very large and approach the vertical axis.
There are many equations related to bi polar coordinates which are derived in Bipolar and which we
just quote here:
-∞ ≤ ξ ≤ ∞ 0 ≤ u ≤ 2π // both ξ and u are dimensionless (2.1)' (1.1.4)
x = a sh ξ/(chξ - cosu) // defining equations (forward transformation)
y = a sinu/(ch ξ - cosu) y/x = sinu/sh ξ (2.2)' (1.1.5)
ξ = tanh
-1[2ax/(x2+ y2 +a2)] // inverse transformation
u = tan-1[2ay/(x2+y2- a2)] . (4.1)' (1.1.6)
h
ξ = hu = a/(chξ –cosu) // scale factors (3.3)' (1.1.7)
9 x2 + (y- yc)2 = R2 yc = a /tanu R = a/|sinu| // red circles (2.6)' (1.1.8)
(x - x c)2 + y2 = R2 xc = a/thξ R = a/|shξ | // blue circles (2.4)' (1.1.9)
The same symbol R is used above to indicate two unrelated radii.
1.2 Toroidal coordinates
To form
toroidal coordinates, we take just the right side of Fig (1.1.1) (which has 0 ≤ ξ ≤ ∞) and we rotate
it about the vertical axis. The red truncated circles b ecome bowls, while the blue circles become tori. In
making this change, we rename the vertical axis of Fi g (1.1.1) to be z instead of y, and we rename the x
axis to be ρ = x2+y2 . Thus the symmetry axis is z. The new coordinate φ of (ξ,u,φ) is the azimuthal
angle measured away from the positive x axis toward th e positive y axis. The leve l surfaces in toroidal
coordinates are thus tori, bowls and vertical half planes -- surfaces of constant ξ, u and φ.
With these 3D coordinates, the bowl limiting case u = π is a flat disk of radius a in the z=0 plane. The
case u = 0 and 2 π is the entire z=0 plane with a hole of radius a in the center -- an iris. For the tori, as
ξ→
∞, a torus becomes an infinitely thin wire of radius R = a/sh ξ which forms a circle of radius a. As ξ →
0, we get an extremely fat torus with no hol e which fills all space. However, if we take ξ→0 and a→0 at
the same time such that a/ ξ = R, this fat torus becomes a degenerate or "horn" torus which is a torus of
tube radius R whose hole has just vanished, as shown in Fig (I.3.4). We do not consider the self-intersecting "spindle torus" in this document. Comment
: A toroid with a circular cross section is a torus, so a torus is a toroid and tori are toroids.
When dealing with a bowl labeled by u 0, it will be convenient to shift the range of u from (0,2 π) to
(u0, u0+2π), as indicated in this drawing,
( 1 . 2 . 1 )
The drawing requires some explanation:
First of all, the red bowl is a surface of constant u, that is to say, u = u 0 on the entire red surface. So
u0 is the "label" for this particular (upside-down) bowl.
10 The drawing shows two geometric interpretations of the angle u 0. First, u 0 is the polar angle of a
point on the lip of the bowl, measured from the -z ^ axis. Second, u 0 is the tangent angle which the bowl
makes where it contacts the z = 0 plane.
The black circle schematically shows the range of u. It starts from u 0 on the inner surface and ends up
at u0 + 2π on the outer surface.
With the u range convention adopted on the left of Fig (1.2.1), when studying the bowl with label u 0
the discontinuity in the u coordinate is placed right at the bowl surface and so u has "free range" out in the
open, both inside and outside the bowl.
The two small facing arrows top right show how one approaches the surface of the bowl from the inside and from the outside, while the curved arro w nearby shows the direction in which u increases,
consistent with the left side of Fig (1.1.2). Appro aching a point on the bowl from the inside means we are
doing ε→0 with u = u
0+ε, as indicated by the left-pointing arrow in the range picture on the left. On the
other hand, approaching a point on the bowl from the outside means we are doing ε→0 with u = u 0+2π-ε,
and this is suggested by the other small arrow. We will use these two limits later to specify boundary
conditions for the electrostatic potential on the two sides of the bowl surface.
The defining equations for toroidal coordinates are these :
x = a cos φ shξ/(chξ - cosu) ρ = a shξ/(chξ - cosu) =
x2+y2
y = a sin φ shξ/(chξ - cosu) z/ρ = sinu/sh ξ 0 ≤ φ ≤ 2π
z = a sinu/(ch ξ - cosu) 0 ≤ ξ ≤ ∞ , 0 ≤ u ≤ 2π ( or u0 ≤ u ≤ u0 +2π) . (1.2.2)
From the relation z/ ρ = sinu/sh ξ we see that ξ = 0 corresponds to points on the z axis where ρ = 0.
Metric Tensor
From equations (1.2.2), one may construct the metric tensor for toro idal coordinates using the method
outlined in Bipolar Section 12. Here is Maple code which does the task. We start by entering the
coordinate names and the above equations,
11
The notation xp means x', with the idea that (ξ ,u,φ) = (x'1,x'2,x'3) = x '. Writing x = (x,y,z), the toroidal
defining equations may be interpreted as x = F-1(x') where x ' = F(x) is a non-linear but invertible
transformation from Cartesian x-space to curvilinear x'-s pace. The transformation has a differential matrix
S where S ij(x') ≡ (∂xi/∂x'j), which we now compute,
The metric tensor in x'-space (the space of the toroidal coordinates) is g ¯' = S
TS which we compute next,
The metric tensor is diagonal, indicating that toroid al coordinates form an orthogonal coordinate system.
The diagonal elements are the squares of the scale factors h ξ, hu and hφ. We then read off from the above,
hξ = hu = a/(chξ - cosu) h φ = a shξ/(chξ - cosu) . (1.2.3)
For more details on this subject, see the author's Tensor Analysis document where g ¯' = STS appears as
(5.7.9). The overbar on g ¯' indicates that g ¯' is the covariant metric tensor, whereas g' is the contravariant
one (in all-indices-down notation).
Inverse equations
To find the inverse of the toroidal defining equations (1.2.2) we start with two of those equations,
ρ = a shξ /(chξ - cosu)
z = a sinu/(ch ξ - c o s u ) . (1.2.2)
12
Since this is just (1.1.5) with x →ρ and y→z, we read off from (1.1.6) that
ξ = tanh-1[2aρ/(ρ2+ z2 +a2)]
u = tan-1[2az/(ρ2+z2- a2) ] . ( 1 . 2 . 4 )
From the definition of φ we know that x = ρ cosφ and y = ρ sinφ, so φ = tan
-1(y/x). Therefore, the inverse
transformation of the toroidal defining equations is as follows
ξ = tanh-1[2aρ/(ρ2+ z2 +a2)] ρ = x2+y2 (1.2.5)
u = tan-1[2az/(ρ2+z2- a2)]
φ = tan-1( y / x )
and this is the transformation x' = F (x) alluded to above where x ' = (ξ,u,φ) and x = (x,y,z). Here tan-1
returns a value in the range 0,2 π and will be called arctan2Pi later in this document.
Equations of bowls and tori
The bowls are formed as surfaces of revolution of the red truncated circles in Fig (1.1.2).
The equation describing the sphere on which the bowl of label u 0 in Fig (1.2.1) lies is, from (1.1.8),
sphere: ρ2 + (z- zc)2 = R2 zc = a /tanu 0 R = a/|sinu 0| ρ = x2+y2 . (1.2.6)
The tori are formed as surfaces of revolution of the blue circles on the right side of Fig (1.1.3).
The equation describing the toroidal surface of label ξ0 is, from (1.1.9),
torus: ( ρ - ρc)2 + z2 = Rt2 ρc = a/thξ0 R = a/sh ξ0 ρ = x2+y2 . (1.2.7)
The tube center is located distance ρc from the z symmetry axis, and the tube radius is R.
Below are Maple plots of a bowl with u
0 = π/2 and a partial torus with ρ c = 2 and R = 1. For this plot we
see from (1.2.7) that ch ξ0 = ρc/R so ξ0 = ch-1(ρc/R) = ch-1(2/1) ≈ 1.3.
13
The r coordinate and the large-r region
Finally, from (1.2.2) one can develop an expr ession for the spherical coordinate r as follows:
r
2 = ρ2+z2 = a2 sh2ξ/(chξ - cosu)2 + a2 sin2u/(chξ - cosu)2
= a2(sh2ξ + sin2u)/ (chξ - cosu)2
so
r = a sh2ξ + sin2u / (chξ - cosu) . (1.2.8)
From this equation, one can see that the limit r →∞ is reached when ξ→0 and u→ 2π*integer, because the
denominator then goes to 0. Since for the bowl we require u 0 < u < u0 + 2π, we must select u near 2 π as
the region of interest for large r. Fact : The region of ( ξ,u) space that corresponds to large r (in spherical coordinates) is that region where ξ
is small, and where u is near 2 π. ( 1 . 2 . 9 )
To be more precise, define small ε by
u = 2π + ε . // ε could have either sign (1.2.10)
Then in the region of large r we have u close to 2 π and ξ small, so
cosu = cos ε ≈ 1-ε
2/2 sinu = sin(2 π+ε) = sinε ≈ ε
sh2ξ + sin2u ≈ ξ2 +ε2
chξ - cosu ≈ (1+ξ2/2) - (1-ε2/2) = (ξ2+ε2) / 2 . ( 1 . 2 . 1 1 )
Then from (1.2.8),
r = a
sh2ξ + sin2u / (chξ - cosu) ≈ a ξ2 +ε2 / [ (ξ2+ε2)/2] = 2a/ ξ2 +ε2 . (1.2.12)
From (1.2.2) one can relate small ξ to small ε in this way,
ρ/z =shξ/sinu ≈ ξ/ε ⇒ ξ = (ρ /z)ε ( 1 . 2 . 1 3 )
so one can write things in terms of a single smallness parameter ε,
ξ2+ε2 = [1+(ρ/z)2]ε2 ⇒ ξ2 +ε2 = 1+ρ2/z2 ε . (1.2.14)
14 Therefore,
r ≈ 2a/ξ2 +ε2 = [2a/ 1+ρ2/z2 ] (1/ε)
(1/r) ≈
ξ2 +ε2 /2a = [ 1+ρ2/z2 / 2a] ε ε = (u-2π) (1.2.15)
Finally, from (1.2.11) and (1.2.12),
chξ - cosu ≈ (ξ2+ε2)/2 = (1/ 2 ) ξ2 +ε2 = (1/ 2 )(2a/r) = 2 a/r . (1.2.16)
We now collect the above results in one place:
Toroidal Coordinates ( 1 . 2 . 1 7 )
x = a cos φ shξ/(chξ - cosu) ρ = a shξ/(chξ - cosu) = x2+y2
y = a sin φ shξ/(chξ - cosu) z/ρ = sinu/sh ξ
z = a sinu/(ch ξ - cosu) 0 ≤ ξ ≤ ∞ , 0 ≤ u ≤ 4π, 0 ≤ φ ≤ 2π (1.2.2)
hξ = hu = a/(chξ - cosu) h φ = a shξ/(chξ - cosu) (1.2.3)
ξ = tanh-1[2aρ/(ρ2+ z2 +a2)] ρ = x2+y2 (1.2.5)
u = tan-1[ 2az/(ρ2+z2- a2)]
φ = tan-1(y/x) ξ = 0 ↔ ρ = 0 (the z axis)
sphere: ρ2 + (z- zc)2 = R2 zc = a /tanu 0 R = a/|sinu 0| ρ = x2+y2 . (1.2.6)
torus: ( ρ - ρc)2 + z2 = R2 ρc = a/thξ R = a/sh ξ ρ = x2+y2 . (1.2.7)
r = a sh2ξ + sin2u / (chξ - cosu) . // spherical coordinate r (1.2.8)
(1/r) ≈ [ 1+ρ2/z2 / 2a] ε with ε = u-2π // large r (1.2.15)
chξ - cosu ≈ 2 a/r // large r (1.2.16)
15 The first drawing below is a repeat of (1.2.1) showing a bowl for u 0 < π. The second drawing shows a
corresponding bowl which has u 0 > π. In both cases the u range is u 0 ≤ u ≤ u0+2π. In both cases we
denote by β the polar angle from the bowl base to the bowl lip.
( 1 . 2 . 1 8 a )
( 1 . 2 . 1 8 b )
16 2. The charged bowl potential in toroidal coordinates
2.1 Level curves, the charged ellipsoid problem and a dashed hope
As one sees scanning thro
ugh the beautiful pictures in Moon & Spencer's strangely but correctly named
Field Theory Handbook , each orthogonal coordinate system ha s its characteristic level surfaces. In
spherical coordinates these are spheres, polar con es and azimuthal half-plan es, whereas in toroidal
coordinates they are bowls and tori and azimuthal half-planes as seen above. In spherical coordinates a
bowl has a hole in it since the polar angle runs only part of its range, but in toroidal coordinates there is
no such "hole". That is to say, a bowl has a label u 0 (a value of one of the toroidal coordinates u) and as
the other two coordinates sweep their full ranges , a bowl is swept out. The fact that the bowl is a level
surface in toroidal coordinates makes one interested in solving the charged bowl problem in this system.
In ellipsoidal coordinates the level surfaces are ellipsoids and asymmetric hyperboloids of one and
two sheets, which certainly sounds foreboding. One can solve the "charged ellipsoid problem" and the
result is shockingly simple (as Kelvin also showed) and σ on the ellipsoid is simple even in Cartesian
coordinates (more magic geometry). A family of confocal ellipsoids can be described by the equation x
2/(ξ12- a2) + y2/(ξ12- b2) + z2/(ξ12) = 1 where ξ 1 in (0,∞) is the "label" of an ellipsoid. It happens then
that the label ξ 1 is also the largest semi-major axis of the ellipsoid, while a > b are focal distances
associated with the other two axes. Ellipsoidal coor dinates are fully separable, and a Laplace-satisfying
potential function which is constant on each of these e llipsoids and which vanishes at infinity is given by
V(ξ
1)/const = F 00(ξ1) E00(ξ2) E00(ξ3) = [(1/a) sn-1(a/ξ1,b/a)] * 1 * 1 = (1/a) sn-1(a/ξ1,b/a)
= (1/a) F(sin-1(a/ξ1),b/a) . (2.1.1)
Here (ξ1,ξ2,ξ3) are the three ellipsoidal coordinates in Mor se & Feshbach notation, E and F are first and
second kind Lamé functions, and a different F is th e first kind elliptic integral. By setting V = V 0 on a
particular ellipsoid ξ1 = c, one then obtains the potential an ywhere outside this charged ellipsoid,
V(ξ1) = V0 F(sin-1(a/ξ1),k=b/a) / F(sin-1(a/c),k=b/a) . (2.1.2)
Although not immediately obvious, this expression is exactly the same if one swaps a ↔b and such a swap
is necessary to show that the above form agrees with that of Kelvin. [ There is some confusion in elliptic F notation to beware: F( φ,k) = F(φ | k
2) = F(φ \ sin-1k ), the first notation being that of GR7 8.111.2.]
One might hope that the bowl potential in toroidal coor dinates could be as simply stated as the
ellipsoid potential in ellipsoidal coordinates, but al as it is not so, but only in the following sense. In
toroidal coordinates a certain weight factor cross- links the bowl and torus coordinates (labels), which
makes the Laplace equation separable only in the form of three separated functions times the weight
factor chξ-cosu , where ξ is a torus label and u a bowl label. Th is weaker kind of separability is called
R-separability by Moon and Spencer. A solution chξ-cosu [A( ξ)=1]B(u)[C( φ)=1] evaluated on the
surface of bowl u 0 gives V = chξ-cosu0 B(u0) which varies with ξ , not allowing V = V 0 on the bowl.
Nevertheless , it will turn out that the charged bowl potentia l can be expressed in simple inverse trig
functions, and is in that sense even simpler that the charged ellipsoid potential.
17 2.2 Cartesian, spherical, toroidal and ellipsoidal atomic forms
"Atom
ic forms" or just "atoms" are the author's private phrases for "harmonics", which word means
simple solutions of the Laplace equation which can be superposed to construc t non-simple solutions. The
Cartesian atoms illustrate the idea that if you curve toward axis in 2 dimensions, you must curve away
from axis in the 3rd: osc osc expo
(1) [sin(k
xx), cos(k xx)], [sin(k yy), cos(k yy)], [exp( κzz), exp(-κzz) ] k z = imaginary = i κz
toward toward away κz = kx2 + ky2 (2.2.1)
For solving practical 3D problems, two of the three coordinates have to be oscillatory to allow for
functional completeness (above on a su rface of x and y) so that expansions can be inverted and problems
solved. For spherical atoms, two interesting atomic forms can be written in which azimuthal φ is
oscillatory: r in (0, ∞) z in (-1,1) φ in (0,2π)
expo osc osc (1) [ r
n, r-n-1] [ Pnm(z), Qnm(z)] [ sin(m φ),cos(mφ)] z = cosθ
osc expo osc
(2) (1/
r )[ riτ, r-iτ] [ Piτ-1/2m(z), Qiτ-1/2m(z)] [ sin(m φ),cos(mφ)] n = i τ-1/2
osc expo osc
~ (1/ r )[sin(τ lnr), cos(τ lnr)] [ P iτ-1/2m(z), Qiτ-1/2m(z)] [ sin(m φ),cos(mφ)] . (2.2.2)
The first is doubtless more familiar to the reader, but the second is appropriate for, say, a Dirichlet problem involving a cone, since the atomic form is o scillatory both ways across the surface of a cone,
allowing a prescribed potential there to be inverted. The underlying fact is that each oscillatory coordinate becomes a 1D Sturm-Liouville problem with a complete set of eigenfunctions (see Appendix J.1), and then these two sets provide a complete set of eigenfunctions for a 2D surface spanned by those coordinates. In passing, we note that the Legendre functions in form (2) above are called conical
functions and have |z|<1.
Without further ado, we can write two similar atomic forms for toroidal coordinates,
ξ in (0,∞ ) u in (0,2 π) φ in (0,2π)
expo osc osc
(1)
chξ - cosu [P n-1/2m(chξ), Qn-1/2m(chξ) ] [ sin(nu),cos(nu)] [ sin(m φ),cos(mφ)]
osc expo osc
(2) chξ - cosu [P iτ-1/2m(chξ), Qiτ-1/2m(chξ) ] [exp(τu), exp(-τu) ] [ sin(m φ),cos(mφ)] . (2.2.3)
18 To solve bowl problems, we need the two coordinat es other than the bowl label u to be oscillatory, and
that means we must use form (2). To solve torus pr oblems, we need the two coordinates other than the
torus label ξ to be oscillatory, and that means we must use form (1).
In form (1), if a problem has a full azimuth, the parame ter m gets quantized to integers, and this indirectly
causes parameter n on P n-1/2m(chξ) to be quantized to integers, so the spectra of both Sturm-Liouville
problems are discrete. In form (2) even if m is quantized, parameter τ remains unquantized and, since P ν=
P-ν-1, the τ spectrum can be restricted to the pos itive real axis (see Appendix J.5).
The Legendre functions in system (1) are called toroidal functions or ring functions , argument z =
chξ > 1, whereas those appearing in (2) are called Mehler functions with argument z = chξ > 1.
In reference to our earlier charged ellipsoid comments, we just mention the atomic form for ellipsoidal
coordinates, [ E
mp(ξ1), Fmp(ξ1)] [Emp(ξ2), Fmp(ξ2)] [Emp(ξ3),Fmp(ξ3) ] ( 2 . 2 . 4 )
where 0 < ξ 3< b < ξ2< a < ξ1 with a>b the confocal ellipsoid focal distances. As noted earlier, E and F are
the first and second kind Lamé functions. The ξi are the three roots of the cubic equation which is the
equation of the ellipsoid given above. In this system there is no azimuthal coordinate, and the separated
solutions are triply cross-linked in that all thr ee functions bear the same quantum numbers m and p
(separation constants arising when the Laplace e quation is separated). This system, though quite
complicated, is well explained in full detail in the last chapter of Hobson's classic 1931 book.
2.3 Smythian forms and one for the bowl
Please forgi
ve the author's predilection for strange phrases. A Smythian form refers to a linear
combination (sum and/or integral) of atomic forms, having some to-be-determined "coefficients", which
provides a candidate solution to some problem. Such a form usually "builds in" certain boundary conditions, such as continuity between two regions of space on whose boundary a Green's point charge
lies in a Green's Function problem. Smythe's book makes excellent use of such forms, and one might even
refer to "the method of Smythian forms" in a list of effective methods of solving boundary value
problems.
So based on (2.2.3) we propose the following Smythi an form for the potential of a charged bowl (since
things are azimuthally symmetric, we have only m = 0 atoms),
V(ξ,u) =
chξ - cosu ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(chξ) [ A(τ)ch(uτ) + B(τ)sh(uτ) ] , (2.3.1)
where A and B are to-be-determined coefficient functions.
Why do we reject the Q
iτ-1/2(chξ) atom? From box (1.2.17) we note that ξ = 0 corresponds to the z axis,
where we expect the potential to be finite and smooth. But Q ν(x) ~ ln(x-1) as x → 1, so the function
Qν(chξ) ~ ln(chξ-1) ≈ ln(ξ2/2) for small ξ is singular at ξ = 0. The leading factor provides no rescue since
chξ - cosu → 1 - cosu0 which is just some finite number.
19
Since the Mehler P functions form a complete orthogonal set for ξ in (0,∞), it is possible to set in some
prescribed potential V = f( ξ,u0) on the surface of a bowl, and invert to find the coefficient functions. At
first it seems odd that there are two functions A a nd B to be found, and only one boundary condition, but
the dilemma is quickly resolved by realizing th at we apply the boundary condition separately on each
surface of the bowl, so really there are two bounda ry conditions and two unknow n coefficient functions.
For our charged bowl problem, the prescribed Dirichlet potential is f( ξ,u0) = V0 = a constant.
2.4 Solution to the charged bowl potent ial problem: the Mehler- Fock Transform
The generalized Mehler-Fock (Mehler-Fok) transfor m (Oberhettinger and Higgins page 2 or NIST
14.20.11,12 p 373) is this,
g(y) =
∫0 ∞ dτ Pμ
iτ-1/2(y) f(τ) // expansion
f(τ ) = (τ/π) sh(πτ ) Γ(1/2-μ+iτ) Γ(1/2-μ-iτ) ∫1 ∞ dy Pμ
iτ-1/2(y) g(y) // projection (2.4.1)
and for μ = 0, using Γ(1/2+iτ)Γ(1/2-iτ ) = π /cosh(πτ), one obtains the regular Mehler-Fock transform,
g(y) = ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y) f(τ) // expansion
f(τ ) = τ th(πτ) ∫1 ∞ dy Piτ-1/2(y) g(y) // projection (2.4.2)
(Oberhettinger and Higgins page 1) which can also be written
G(ξ) = ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(chξ) f(τ) // expansion
f(τ ) = τ th(πτ) ∫0 ∞ dξ shξ Piτ-1/2(chξ) G(ξ) . // projection (2.4.3)
For azimuthally symmetric bowl problems, this transf orm is the one associated with the Sturm Liouville
problem in the ξ coordinate. Every reasonable Sturm-Liouville problem defines a complete set of
functions and therefore defines a transform (there ar e thousands of them), and this happens to be the
transform for our oscillatory ξ coordinate. Admittedly, this tran sform is more sparsely found in the
literature that, say, the Fourier Integral Cosine Tr ansform. See Appendix J.1 for a general review of
transforms and J.5 for comments on the Mehler-Fock transform.
It is convenient to define u 0' ≡ u0 + 2π and to note then that cos(u 0') = cos(u 0). Here then are the two
boundary conditions on the Smythian form (2.3.1) evalua ted at the inner and outer surface of the bowl, as
was discussed below Fig (1.2.1),
20 V0 = chξ - cosu0 ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(chξ) [ A(τ)ch(u0τ) + B(τ)sh(u0τ) ] u' 0 ≡ u0 + 2π
V0 = chξ - cosu0 ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(chξ) [ A(τ)ch(u'0τ) + B(τ)sh(u'0τ) ] (2.4.4)
where cosu' 0 = cosu0 in the leading factor. We now apply the Mehler-Fock transform (2.4.3) with
G(ξ) = V0/ chξ - cosu0 and f( τ) = [ A(τ )ch(u0τ) + B(τ)sh(u0τ) ]
G(ξ) = V0/ chξ - cosu0 and f'( τ) = [ A(τ)ch(u'0τ) + B(τ )sh(u'0τ) ] (2.4.5)
which allows us to invert (2.4.4) for the coefficient functions,
[ A(τ)ch(u
0τ) + B(τ )sh(u0τ) ] = V 0 τ th(πτ) ∫0 ∞ dξ sh(ξ) Piτ-1/2(chξ) / chξ - cosu0
[ A(τ)ch(u0'τ) + B(τ)sh(u0'τ) ] = V0 τ th(πτ) ∫0 ∞ dξ sh(ξ) Piτ-1/2(chξ) / chξ - cosu0 . (2.4.6)
Notice that these two equations have identical right hand sides. In (H.2.1) we derive the following
integral,
∫1 ∞ dx Piτ-1/2(x) / x - cosu0 = 2 ch[τ(u0-π)] / (τ sh(πτ)) 0 ≤ u0 ≤ 2π . (2.4.7)
Setting x = ch ξ (dx = shξdξ ) this may be restated as,
∫0 ∞ dξ sh(ξ) Piτ-1/2(chξ)/ chξ - cosu0 = 2 ch[τ(u0-π)] / (τ sh(πτ)) . (2.4.8)
The right side expression in (2.4.6) then becomes
V0 τ th(πτ) * 2 ch[τ(u0-π)] / (τ sh(πτ)) = V02 ch[τ(u0-π)] / ch(πτ) . (2.4.9)
Thus, equations (2.4.6) become
[ A(τ)ch(u
0τ) + B(τ )sh(u0τ) ] = V0 2 ch[τ(u0-π)] / ch(πτ)
[ A(τ)ch(u0'τ) + B(τ)sh(u0'τ) ] = V0 2 ch[τ(u0-π)] / ch(πτ) . (2.4.10)
This is a standard 2x2 Cramer's Rule problem, but in order to get the so lution into the form shown below,
a certain amount of work is required, which we relega te to Appendix H.1 The result from (H.1.12) is then,
A(τ) = V0 2 ch[(π–u0)τ] ch[(π+u0)τ] / ch2(πτ)
B(τ) = – V0 2 ch[(π–u0)τ] sh[(π+u0)τ] / ch2(πτ) . (2.4.11)
Inserting these coefficients into the square bracket of (2.3.1) gives
21
[ A(τ)ch(uτ) + B(τ)sh(uτ) ] = V0 2 ch[(π–u0)τ] /ch2(πτ) * { ch[(π+u0)τ]ch(uτ) - sh[(π+u0)τ] sh(uτ)}
= V 0 2 ch[(π–u0)τ] /ch2(πτ) * { ch[(π+u0-u)τ] }
= V 0 2 ch[(π–u0)τ] ch[(π+u0-u)τ] /ch2(πτ) (2.4.12)
and then the Smythian form (2.3.1) for the bowl potential becomes
V(ξ ,u) = V0 2 chξ - cosu ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(chξ) ch[(π–u0)τ] ch[(π+u0-u)τ]
ch2(πτ) . (2.4.13)
It is shown below in (8.8) that this integral can be evaluated into the following set of elementary
functions,
V(ξ,u) = (V0/π) { cot-1[- 2 cos(u/2)
chξ-cosu ] + chξ - cosu
chξ-cos(2u0- u) cot-1[2 cos(u0-u/2)
chξ-cos(2u0- u) ] } (a)
( 2 . 4 . 1 4 ) = (V
0/π) { π - cot-1[2 cos(u/2)
chξ-cosu ] + chξ - cosu
chξ-cos(2u0- u) cot-1[2 cos(u0-u/2)
chξ-cos(2u0- u) ] } (b)
where we show two equivalent forms. There are many other ways to express this same potential using
tan-1 (flip the ratios) or sin-1 or cos-1 (draw right triangles to get new ratios).
We can throw this equation into Maple (Section 9) and obtain very nice plots of the charged bowl
potential across a symmetric slice of the bow l. Here is the plot for a bowl with u 0 = π/4. Along the bowl
edge the potential is constant at the value V 0= 1, and outside the region shown it drops off to 0 at infinity.
Kelvin would have liked Maple.
( 2 . 4 . 1 5 )
22
This picture shows the potential V( ξ,u,φ) in any plane φ = constant, so this is a slice through the center of
the bowl which includes the z axis. One can interpret V( ξ,u) as a 2D potential in bipolar coordinates,
where then ( ρ,z) are the Cartesian coordinates normally called (x,y). As in all 2D problems, the potential
surface has the look of a stretched rubber membrane wher e at each point the curvature in one direction is
the negative of that in the other direction, as required by Laplace ∇2V = ∂x2V + ∂y2V = 0.
We are unaware of any external references that can verify the results (2.4.13) and (2.4.14). However,
below we shall use the bowl poten tial to find the surface charge dens ities on the bowl surfaces, and these
densities do agree with external sources.
2.5 Limiting cases of the potential
Since we have not found our result (2.4.14) in a quick web and book search, we shall check the result as m
uch as possible by looking at four limits.
1. Check the potential appr oaching the bowl surfaces.
Start with (2.4.14b),
V(ξ,u) = (V
0/π) { π - cot-1[2 cos(u/2)
chξ-cosu ] + chξ - cosu
chξ-cos(2u0- u) cot-1[2 cos(u0-u/2)
chξ-cos(2u0- u) ] } .
Then if u→u 0 and u→u 0 + 2π we first evaluate,
u
0 u 0 + 2π
cos(u 0-u/2) = cos(u 0/2) cos([u 0+2π]/2) = cos (u 0/2 + π ) = - cos(u0/2)
cos(2u 0- u) = cosu 0 cos(2u0- u) = cosu 0
chξ - cos(2u 0-u) = chξ - cosu0 . ch ξ - cos(2u 0-u) = chξ - cosu0
cos(u/2) = cos(u 0/2) cos(u/2) = cos([u 0 + 2π]/2) = - cos(u 0/2) . (2.5.1)
Inserting these into the abov e gives the following for u → u
0 (+) and for u → u0+ 2π (-),
V(ξ,u) = (V0/π) { π - cot-1[±2 cos(u0/2)
chξ-cosu0 ] + chξ - cosu
chξ-cosu0 cot-1[±2 cos(u0/2)
chξ-cosu0 ] }
= ( V 0/π) { π - cot-1[x] + cot-1[x] } = (V 0/π) { π } = V0 . (2.5.2)
Thus the potential (2.4.14) equals V
0 on both sides of the bowl surface, as required.
2. Check The Disk Limit
Start with (2.4.14a),
23 V(ξ,u) = (V0/π) { cot-1[2 cos(π-u/2)
chξ-cosu ] + chξ - cosu
chξ-cos(2u0- u) cot-1[2 cos(u0-u/2)
chξ-cos(2u0- u) ] } .
Then if u 0→π we find
cos(u
0-u/2) = cos( π-u/2) = -cos(u/2)
cos(2u 0- u) = cos(2 π- u) = cosu
chξ - cos(2u 0-u) = chξ - c o s u ( 2 . 5 . 3 )
so
V(ξ,u) = (V0/π) { cot-1[-2 cos(u/2)
chξ-cosu ] + chξ - cosu
chξ - cosu cot-1[- 2 cos(u/2)
chξ-cosu ] }
= (2V
0/π) cot-1[-2 cos(u/2)
chξ-cosu ] . (2.5.4)
It is shown in Appendix B that, when the above is converted to cylindrical coordinates, the result is
Vdisk(ξ,u) = (2V 0/π) sin-1 [2a
(ρ-a)2+z2 + (ρ+a)2+z2 ] (2.5.5)
which agrees with green Jackson p 92 (3.178). 3. Check The Large r Limit
Start with (2.4.14a),
V(ξ,u) = (V
0/π) { cot-1[- 2 cos(u/2)
chξ-cosu ] + chξ - cosu
chξ-cos(2u0- u) cot-1[2 cos(u0-u/2)
chξ-cos(2u0- u) ] } .
In the large r region we know from (1.2.16) that
chξ - cosu ≈ 2 a/r
ξ << 1
u = 2π+ε with |ε| < < 1 . ( 2 . 5 . 6 )
One can then approximate various expressions in the above potential cos(u/2) ≈ cos(2π/2) = cos( π) = -1
cos(2u
0-u) ≈ cos(2u0-2π) = cos(2u 0)
24 chξ - cos(2u 0-u) ≈ 1 - cos(2u 0) = 2sin2u0
chξ - cos(2u 0-u) = 2 |sinu0|
cos(u 0-u/2) ≈ cos(u0-π) = -cosu 0 . (2.5.7)
Then the ratios appearing in (2 .4.14a) may be approximated as
- 2 cos(u/2)
chξ-cosu ≈ - -2
2 a/r = r/a
chξ - cosu
chξ-cos(2u0- u) ≈ 2 a/r
2 |sinu0| = R/r R = a |sinu 0|
2 cos(u0-u/2)
chξ-cos(2u0- u) ≈ -2 cosu0
2 |sinu0| = -cosu0
|sinu0| . (2.5.8)
The potential shown above is then, for large r,
V(ξ,u) = (V 0/π) { cot-1[r/a] + (R/r) cot-1[-cosu0
|sinu0| ] } . (2.5.9)
The first term may be written
cot
-1[r/a] = tan(a/r) ≈ a/r (large r) = (R/r) |sinu 0| // (1.2.6) (2.5.10)
The second term may be written
(R/r) cot-1[-cosu0
|sinu0| ] = (R/r) tan-1[|sinu0|
-cosu0 ] = (R/r) arctan2Pi(-cosu 0, |sinu0|) (2.5.11)
where θ = arctan2Pi(x,y) returns θ in the range (0,2 π) as in (9.2). This is the intended meaning of the
ambiguous function tan-1. We can consider u 0 in each of the four quadrants of (0,2 π) as follows:
u0 in Q1 -cosu 0 < 0 θ in Q2 ⇒ θ = π-u0
u0 in Q2 -cosu 0 > 0 θ in Q1 ⇒ θ = π-u0
u0 in Q3 -cosu 0 > 0 θ in Q1 ⇒ θ = u0-π
u0 in Q4 -cosu 0 < 0 θ in Q2 ⇒ θ = u0-π . (2.5.12)
If this seems unclear, draw a picture of the four cases. The conclusion is that
arctan2Pi(-cosu
0, |sinu0|) = |π-u0| for u 0 in any quadrant Q1,Q2,Q3,Q4 (2.5.13)
and therefore,
25 V(ξ,u) = (V 0/π) (R/r) ( |sinu 0| + |π-u0| ) . 0 ≤ u0 ≤ 2π . (2.5.14)
Look first at Fig (1.2.18a) where 0 < u 0 < π and where β = π-u0 > 0. Then
|sinu
0| = sinβ |π-u0| = β V(ξ,u) = (V 0/π) (R/r) (sin β + β ) . (2.5.15)
Look next at Fig (1.2.18b) where π < u
0 < 2π and where β = u0-π > 0. Then
|sinu
0| = sinβ |π-u0| = β V(ξ,u) = (V 0/π) (R/r) (sin β + β ) . (2.5.16)
The potential is the same in either cas e when expressed in terms of angle β. Far away the bowl looks like
a point charge Q = CV 0 with potential V = Q/r. Thus the capacitance must be
C = Q/V 0 = (Vr/V 0) = (R/π) ( β + sinβ) . (2.5.17)
Since this is the known correct result and also the resu lt we get later in (4.4.10), we regard our potential
(2.4.14) as passing the large-r limit check. 4. Check The Full Sphere Limit
Start with (2.4.14b),
V(ξ,u) = (V
0/π) { π - cot-1[2 cos(u/2)
chξ-cosu ] + chξ - cosu
chξ-cos(2u0- u) cot-1[2 cos(u0-u/2)
chξ-cos(2u0- u) ] } .
Then if u 0→0 we find
cos(2u
0-u) = cos(-u) = cosu
cos(u 0- u/2) = cos(-u/2) = cos(u/2)
chξ - cos(2u 0-u) = chξ - c o s u ( 2 . 5 . 1 8 )
so
V(ξ,u) = (V0/π) { π - cot-1[2 cos(u/2)
chξ-cosu ] + chξ - cosu
chξ - cosu cot-1[2 cos(u/2)
chξ - cosu ] }
= (V 0/π) { π - cot-1[x] + cot-1[x] } = (V 0/π) {π } = V0 . (2.5.19)
This result is at first a little surprising, since one might be expecting V = Q/r , especially when looking at a plot like the first one in Section 6 (notice the axis scale compared to the other plots). Looking at Fig
(1.1.2a) one sees that the u
0 = 0 sphere slice is so large that it f ills the entire upper half plane so naturally
the potential in that half plane is the constant value V 0. In the lower half plane, although one can move a
finite distance away from the sphere, the sphere is overwhelmingly large so V does not taper off and we
then have V=V 0 as well in the lower half plane. So the limit computed above is correct.
26 3. The charged double-bowl potential in toroidal coordinates
3.1 The general double bowl solution
This seem
s a good place to address this related problem . Sneddon (Sec 7.7) deals with the problem of two
separated bowls having a common symmetry axis. That problem seems to have no closed form solution
and Sneddon reduces its solution to solving one or more second-kind Fredholm integral equations. Our
double-bowl problem is much simpler in that both bowls have a common lip. First we imagine that the
bowls are somehow insulated from each other at the lip and so can have constant potentials V 0 and V1
resulting in a strange two-bowl capacitor. Th en we remove the insulation and set V 1 = V0.
The 3D shapes formed in this way from two bowls can vary from a sort of 3D lune, to a bowl with a
flat lid on it, to a "lens" composed of two spherical surfaces (two facing attached bowls). If the two bowls
of the lens have the same size, the solution to this problem describes the evaporation from the surface of a
liquid drop sitting on a flat surface, which drop then is half the lens shape. See Hu and Larson regarding
such "sessile droplets". It is nice to see that solutions to 19th century electrostatic and heat flow potential
theory problems have 21st century application to DNA sequencing.
The solution to the double bowl problem follows exactly that of the single-bowl problem. Here is the
picture showing a lune-shaped cross section,
(3.1)
If the potential on both lune surfaces is V 0, we know (from Laplace) that the entire interior region is at
V0. For the exterior region, we show how coordinate u ranges from u 1 on the inner surface of the smaller
lune surface to u 0+2π on the outer surface of the larger lune.
We use the exact same Smythian fo rm (2.3.1) as for the single bowl,
V(ξ,u) = chξ - cosu ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(chξ)[ A(τ)ch(uτ) + B(τ)sh(uτ) ] . (2.3.1) (3.2)
As before we define u 0' ≡ u0 + 2π and note that cos(u 0') = cos(u 0). Here then are the boundary conditions
for the exterior double-bowl problem, where for the moment we assume V 0 ≠ V1,
27 V1 = chξ - cosu1 ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(chξ) [ A(τ)ch(u1τ) + B(τ)sh(u1τ) ] (3.3)
V0 = chξ - cosu0 ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(chξ) [ A(τ)ch(u0'τ) + B(τ )sh(u0'τ) ] . u 0' ≡ u0 + 2π
As in going from (2.4.4) to (2.4.6), we use the Mehler transform to extract the square brackets,
[ A(τ)ch(u1τ) + B(τ )sh(u1τ) ] = V 1 τ th(πτ) ∫0 ∞ dξ sh(ξ) Piτ-1/2(chξ)/ chξ - cosu1
[ A(τ)ch(u0'τ) + B(τ)sh(u0'τ) ] = V0 τ th(πτ) ∫0 ∞ dξ sh(ξ) Piτ-1/2(chξ)/ chξ - cosu0 . (3.4)
Using integral (2.4.8) we then ge t, in analogy with (2.4.10),
[ A(τ)ch(u1τ) + B(τ )sh(u1τ) ] = V 1 2 ch[τ(u1-π)] / ch(πτ)
[ A(τ)ch(u0'τ) + B(τ)sh(u0'τ) ] = V0 2 ch[τ(u0-π)] / ch(πτ) . (3.5)
Comparison with (2.4.10) shows that we have set u 0→u1 in the first condition and the second condition is
the same. The coefficients this time are a little mo re complicated, and are computed in (H.1.20),
A(τ) = V0 2 Q ch[τ(π-u0)]
[Q ch(u0'τ) + P sh(u 0'τ) ]ch(πτ)
B(τ) = V0 2 P ch[τ(π-u0)]
[Q ch(u0'τ) + P sh(u 0'τ) ]ch(πτ)
where
P = { V 1 ch(u0'τ) ch[τ(π-u1)] – V0 ch(u1τ) ch[τ(π-u0)] }
Q = { V 0 sh(u1τ) ch[τ(π-u0)] – V1 sh(u0'τ) ch[τ(π-u1)] } . (3.6)
Inserting A( τ) and B( τ) into the Smythian form (3.2) gives this result for the potential outside the
insulated-lip double bowl combination with bowl u 0 at V0 and bowl u 1 at V1,
V(ξ,u) = V0 2 chξ - cosu ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(chξ) ch[τ(π-u0)]
ch(πτ) P ch(uτ) +Q sh(u τ)
Q ch(u0'τ) + P sh(u 0'τ) . (3.7)
Setting u 0' ≡ u0 + 2π and V1 = V0 one finds, after much algebra verified below (H.1.22), the following
potential (3.2) outside the common-lip bowls at the same potential V 0 (the potential inside is V 0),
V(ξ,u) = V0 2 chξ - cosu ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(chξ) ch[(π-u0)τ] sh[(u-u 1)τ] + ch[(π-u1)τ] sh[(2π+u0-u)τ]
ch(πτ) sh[(2π+u0-u1)τ]
( 3 . 8 )
If one takes the limit u 1→u0, the solution (2.4.13) to the single-bowl problem is recovered, as shown
below (H.1.27). We have not made any attempt to ev aluate (3.8) but it may yield an expression involving
elementary functions as is the case for the single-bowl potential.
28
For comparison purposes, we replace u,u 0,u1,ξ → β ,β1,β2,α to get
V(α,β) = V0 2 chα - cosβ ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(chα) *
ch[(π-β1)τ] sh[(β-β2)τ] + ch[(π-β2)τ] sh[(2π+β1-β)τ]
ch(πτ) sh[(2π+β1-β2)τ] (3.9)
This matching result appears in the Hu and Larson paper mentioned above,
(3.10)
Comment : The exterior double-bowl solution above is based on the boundary conditions (3.3). When V 1
and V0 are different, there is also an interior double-bowl problem of interest. For this problem the range
of u is (see Fig 3.1) u 0 ≤ u ≤ u1. The boundary conditions are then (3.3) with u' 0 → u0. The coefficients
A and B are then given by (3.6) with u' 0 → u0, and the interior solution is then (3.7) with u' 0 → u0.
Reader exercise : With the double-bowl exterior and interior potentials describe above, use the methods of
Section 4 below to compute the surface charge densities on all four bowl surfaces. Integrate the charge
densities to find the total charges Q 0 and Q1 on the bowls. Find V 0 and V1 such that Q 1 = - Q0 = Q. Then
use Q = C(V 1-V0) to determine the capacitance of such a common-lip double-bowl capacitor. Is there
some simpler way to find this capacitance, perhaps using (D.6) ?
29 3.2 Special case: a bowl with a flat lid
Taking u 1 = π in Fig (3.1) to get the flat lid, the solution (3.8) reduces to,
V(ξ,u) = V0 2 chξ - cosu ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(chξ) ch[(π-u0)τ] sh[(u-π)τ] + sh[(2π+u0-u)τ]
ch(πτ) sh[(π+u0)τ] . (3.11)
Again for comparison, we take u,u 0→β,β0 and ξ → α to get
V(α,β) = V0 2 chα - cosβ ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(chα) ch[(π-β0)τ] sh[(β-π)τ] + sh[(2π+β0-β)τ]
ch(πτ) sh[(π+β0)τ] . (3.12)
This agrees with the result quoted in Lebedev et al. Problem 503 (page 241),
( 3 . 1 3 )
3.3 Special case: a sessile drop (lens-shaped double bowl)
Here we sel
ect in Fig (3.1), with θ being a relatively small angle,
u0 = [π-θ] // a shallow upper bowl π-u0 = θ u 1-u0= 2θ (3.14)
u1 = [π+θ] // a shallow lower bowl π-u1 = -θ
(3.15)
The upper part of this figure (rotated about the vertical axis) represents a liquid droplet on a flat surface.
Angle θ is called the "contact angle" of the droplet. Potential (3.8) then becomes
V(ξ,u) = V0 2 chξ - cosu ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(chξ) ch[θτ] sh[(u-π-θ)τ] + ch[θτ] sh[(3π -θ-u)τ]
ch(πτ) sh[(2π-2θ)τ] . (3.16)
We show in (H.1.30) that (3.16) can be written in this simpler form,
30 V(ξ,u) = V02 chξ - cosu ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(chξ) ch(θτ) ch[(2π-u)τ]
ch(πτ) ch[(π-θ)τ] . (3.17)
Again setting ξ→α and u→β one gets
V(α,β) = V02 chα - cosβ ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(chα) ch(θτ) ch[(2π-β)τ]
ch(πτ) ch[(π-θ)τ] (3.18)
which appears in the Hu and Larson paper as
(3.19)
The connection to electrostatics is that the vapor co ncentration just above the droplet solves the Laplace
equation and then plays the role of the electrostatic potential, and the electric fi eld becomes the diffusive
evaporation flux of li quid off the droplet surface. Hu and Larson quote applications to DNA sequencing.
31 4. The charged bowl surface ch arge densities and capacitance
4.1 Bowl surface charge densities
We restrict o
ur interest to "upper bowls" of Fig (1.2.18a) which have 0 ≤ u0 ≤ π so sin(u 0) > 0. Such
bowls always have their opening on the bottom in our dr awings. Since this calculation is one of the main
results of this document. we show every detail of the calculation. The methods can be used for other
curvilinear coordinate systems.
We start with the bowl potential (2.4.13) and set up to compute the surface charge densities,
V(ξ ,u) = V
0 2 chξ - cosu ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(chξ) ch[(π–u0)τ] ch[(π+u0-u)τ]
ch2(πτ) . (4.1.1)
σ+ = – (1/4 π) (1/hu) ∂uV(ξ,u)|u=u0 = σin 1/hu = (chξ - cosu)/a
σ– = + (1/4π) (1/hu) ∂uV(ξ,u)|u=u0+2π = σout // cgs units selected here (4.1.2)
Explanation : Recall that the above σ equations arise from positioning a tiny Gaussian pillbox with one
end inside a "metal" conductor with the result that σ = (1/4π)Es (cgs) if s^ is a local Cartesian-coordinate
outfacing normal at the surface. Then σ = - (1/4π)∂sV. For a curvilinear coordinate u one has ds = h udu
(for example, ds = rd θ in polar coordinates) so ∂s = (1/hu)∂u. Quantity h u = a/(chξ - cosu) is the
curvilinear scale factor guu in the u direction, and a is the radius of the circular lip of the bowl. For an
upper bowl having 0 ≤ u ≤ π , coordinate u increases away from inner surface, which explains the - sign in
the σ+ equation. But the reverse is true for the outer surface, so the σ- equation has a + sign.
Now, define the integral part of (4.1.1) to be f(u, ξ),
f(u,ξ ) ≡ ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(chξ) ch[(π –u0)τ] ch[(π+u0-u)τ]/ ch2(πτ) (4.1.3)
so that then
V(ξ ,u) = V
0 2 chξ - cosu f(u, ξ) . (4.1.4)
The boundary conditions at the inside an d outside bowl surfaces require that,
V(ξ,u0) = V0 2 chξ - cosu0 f(u0,ξ) = V0 ⇒ 2 chξ - cosu0 f(u0,ξ) = 1
V(ξ,u0+2π) = V0 2 chξ - cosu0 f(u0+2π,ξ) = V0 ⇒ 2 chξ - cosu0 f(u0+2π,ξ) = 1 . (4.1.5)
Now define
32 f+ ≡ f(u0,ξ)
f- ≡ f(u0+2π,ξ) . ( 4 . 1 . 6 )
Then we have just shown in (4.1.5) that
f
± = 1/[ 2 chξ - cosu0 ] . ( 4 . 1 . 7 )
Next, compute ∂uf ,
∂uf = ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(chξ) ch[(π –u0)τ] ∂u{ch[(π+u0-u)τ]}/ ch2(πτ)
= ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(chξ) ch[(π –u0)τ] sh[(π+u0-u)τ] (-τ) /ch2(πτ) , (4.1.8)
so that
(∂uf)+ ≡ ∂ufu=u0 = - ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(chξ) ch[(π–u0)τ] τ sh[πτ] /ch2(πτ)
(∂uf)- ≡ ∂ufu=u0+2π = ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(chξ) ch[(π –u0)τ] sh[(-π)τ] (-τ) /ch2(πτ)
= + ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(chξ) ch[(π–u0)τ] τ sh[πτ] /ch2(πτ) . (4.1.9)
Then defining this last integral to be X,
X ≡
∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(chξ) ch[(π–u0)τ] τ sh(πτ) / ch2(πτ) , (4.1.10)
the results (4.1.9) are
(∂
uf)± = ∓ X . ( 4 . 1 . 1 1 )
Going back to the full potential V in (4.1.4), we compute next ∂uV :
V(ξ,u) = V0 2 chξ - cosu f(u)
∂
uV = V0 2 [ ∂u(chξ - cosu ) f(u, ξ) + chξ - cosu ∂uf(u,ξ) ]
= V
0 2 [ (1/2)(1/ chξ - cosu ) sin(u) f(u, ξ) + chξ - cosu ∂ uf(u,ξ) ] . (4.1.12)
Then,
33 (∂uV)± = V0 2 { (1/2)(1/ chξ - cosu0 ) sin(u0) f± + chξ - cosu0 (∂uf)± }
= V 0 2 { (1/2)(1/ chξ - cosu0 ) sin(u0) 1/[ 2 chξ - cosu0 ] ∓ chξ - cosu X }
(4.1.7) (4.1.11)
= V 02 { 1/(2 2 )* sin(u 0) * (chξ - cosu0)-1 ∓ chξ - cosu X }
= V
02 { 1/(2 2 )* sin(u 0) * B-2 ∓ B X } where B ≡ chξ-cosu0
= V
0 sin(u0)/(2B2) ∓ V02 B X . (4.1.13)
The charge densities from (4.1.2) are then
σ
± = ∓ (1/4π) (1/hu)(∂uV)± 1/h u = (chξ - cosu)/a = B2/a (4.1.2)
= ∓ (1/4π) * B2/a * V0 * [ sin(u 0)/(2B2) ∓ 2 B X ] (4.1.13)
= ∓ (V
0/4πa) [ sin(u 0)/(2) ∓ 2 B3 X ]
= ∓ (V
0/4π)(sin(u0)/a) [ 1/2 ∓ 2 B3 X / sin(u 0) ]
= ∓ (V0/4πR) [ 1/2 ∓ 2 B3 X / sin(u 0)] // (1.2.6) R = a/sin(u 0)
= ( V 0/4πR) [ 2 B3 X / sin(u 0) ∓ 1/2] . (4.1.14)
Even without knowing the integral X, we discover at once the famous fact,
σ
out- σin = σ- - σ+ = (V0/4πR ) ( 4 . 1 . 1 5 )
which Kelvin obtained by doing inversion and superposition, see Appendix C. This does seem a
remarkable result, considering that σin varies violently over the bowl's surface.
The integral X of (4.1.10) is evaluated in (7.2.8) below to be
X = 1
π sin(u0/2)
chξ-cosu0 [ 1 + A
B tan-1(A
B ) ] (7.2.8) (4.1.16)
where A = 2 cos(u0/2) and B = chξ-cosu0 .
Looking at (4.1.14) we evaluate,
34 2 B3X/sin(u0) = 2 B3X/[2sin(u 0/2)cos(u 0/2)]
= 2 B3(1/π) [sin(u0/2)/B2] [1 + (A/B) tan-1 (A/B) ]/[2sin(u 0/2)cos(u 0/2)]
= ( B / π) [1 + (A/B) tan
-1 (A/B) ] / [ 2 cos(u0/2) ]
= ( B / πA) [1 + (A/B) tan-1 (A/B) ]
= ( 1 / π) [ (B/A) + tan
-1( A / B ) ] . ( 4 . 1 . 1 7 )
The charge densities on the bowl are now,
σ± = (V0/4πR) { 2 B3 [X] / sin(u 0) ∓ 1/2 }
= ( V 0/4πR) { (1/π) [ (B/A) + tan-1(A/B)] ∓ 1/2 }
= ( V
0/4π2R) { (B/A) + tan-1(A/B) ∓ π/2 } . (4.1.18)
Now use the following fact which one can easily verify by drawing a right triangle,
π/2 - tan-1(x/y) = tan-1( y / x ) . ( 4 . 1 . 1 9 )
Then
tan
-1(A/B) - π/2 = - tan-1( B / A ) ( 4 . 1 . 2 0 )
so that
σ
in = σ+ = (V0/4π2R) { (B/A) – tan-1(B/A)} A = 2 cos(u0/2)
B = chξ-cosu0
σout = σin + (V0/4πR ) . ( 4 . 1 . 2 1 )
Installing A and B gives our final result for the bowl inner and outer charge densities:
σin = V0
4π2R { chξ-cosu0
2 cos(u0/2) – tan-1 [chξ-cosu0
2 cos(u0/2) ] }, σout = σin + V0
4πR (4.1.22)
The bowl has label u 0 and (ξ,φ) vary on the bowl, but of course th ere is no azimuthal dependence. The
bowl has radius R and is at potential V 0 relative to the Great Sphere at infinity where V = 0. We shall
check this result by taking two important limits below, but first we verify (4.1.22) against some external
sources.
35
4.2 Comparison with known results, and the small-hole limit
• Lebedev et al. ( Problem Num
ber 501 p 239) obtain the following result for σin,
(4.2.1)
With the translations a →R, c→a, α→ξ and β0→ u0, this result is in agreement with (4.1.22) above.
• Kelvin (page 185) obtained the following result,
(4.2.2)
To translate this to our notation, we take ρ→ σin (surface charge), f → 2R (diameter), η → π-θ (η and θ
are shown in Figure (4.2.6) below), α → π-u0, and V→V0. Then cos( α) → -cos(u 0) and cos( η)→ -cos(θ )
and Kelvin's result becomes,
σin(K) = V0
4π2R { 1-cosu0
cosu0 - cosθ – tan-1 [1-cosu0
cosu0 - cosθ ] } . (4.2.3)
Replacing 1-cosu0 = 2 sin(u0/2) this becomes the first line below, while our result is the second line,
σin(K) = V0
4π2R { 2 sin(u0/2)
cosu0 - cosθ – tan-1 [2 sin(u0/2)
cosu0 - cosθ ] } (4.2.4)
σin = V0
4π2R { chξ-cosu0
2 cos(u0/2) – tan-1 [chξ-cosu0
2 cos(u0/2) ] } . (4.1.22)
We will show below that the following relation is true,
chξ-cosu0
2 cos(u0/2) = 2 sin(u0/2)
cosu0 - cosθ ( 4 . 2 . 5 )
36
and therefore the above equations are the same. Consider the following drawing, where θ and η are
complementary polar angles of a point of interest on the bowl,
(4.2.6)
This "bowl figure" is a bit complicated because it is trying to show many things at once. The small black
right triangle shows that
cosθ = (acot(u
0)-z)/ R . (4.2.7)
From box (1.2.17) we know that z = a sinu/(ch ξ - cosu) and R = a/sinu 0. Inserting these into (4.2.7) and
doing some brute-force algebra (this is typical of what one constantly does reading Kelvin's bowl paper), one finds that,
cosθ = [a cotu
0 - a sinu0/(chξ - cosu0)] / [ a/sinu 0]
cosθ = sinu
0 [cot(u0) - sinu0/(chξ - cosu0)] = cosu 0 - sin2u0/ (chξ - cosu0)
cosu
0 - cosθ = sin2u0/ (chξ - cosu0)
cosu0 - cosθ = sin(u 0) / chξ - cosu0 = 2 sin(u 0/2)cos(u 0/2) / chξ - cosu0
cosu0 - cosθ /[2 sin(u0/2)] = [ 2 cos(u0/2)] / chξ - cosu0 , (4.2.8)
and inverting both sides gives (4.2.5).
37 • Smythe provides the following result (page 204 Problem 42, in SI units)
(4.2.9)
Smythe's angles θ and α (we shall call them θS and αS) are shown in Fig (4.2.6) above. Basic geometry of
a chord tells us that θS = θ/2 and αS = u0/2. Then,
sin
2θS - sin2αS = sin2(θ/2) - sin2(u0/2) = (1/2) [ (1-cos θ) - (1 - cosu 0)] = (cosu 0-cosθ)/2 (4.2.10)
so Smythe's first term inside [...] is 2 sin(u0/2)
cosu0-cosθ . Drawing a triangle, one easily shows that Smythe's
sin-1 expression can be written as tan-1 of this first term. Dividing by 4 πε to go to cgs units and taking
a→R one then gets,
σin(S)
= V0
4π2R [ 2 sin(u0/2)
cosu0-cosθ - tan-1 (2 sin(u0/2)
cosu0-cosθ ) ] (4.2.11)
which is the same as Kelvin's result (4.2.4). Plots of charge density: general case and small hole case
In Fig (4.2.6) the angle θ runs along the bowl surface from u 0 to π. Using (4.2.11) one can plot σin from
the bowl edge to the bowl base center. The plot s have a similar shape for any selection of u 0, so here is
the case of a hemispherical bowl with u 0 = π/2 :
38
(4.2.12)
The charge density σ in is infinite at the bowl edge θ = u0 and tapers off to a finite value at the bowl base
center. Despite the edge singularity, the integrated charge density is fin ite. Notice that the graph starts off
at θ = u0+.01 to avoid the singularity.
What happens to the charge density σ
in on the inside of a bowl as the opening (hole) gets very small?
No matter how small u
0 (and the hole) gets, σin still blows up at the hole edge, according to (4.2.11),
since θ = u0 at the hole edge. It is helpful to define ψ = θ-u0 so ψ = 0 at the bowl edge. Using (4.2.11), we
plot σin(ψ) (in degrees) for holes which subt end 1 to 10 degrees polar angle u 0: (plots start at ψ = 0.5o)
( 4 . 2 . 1 3 )
The lowest curve is for a tiny 1 degree hole and one sees that most of σin is piled up within 2 degrees of
angle going into the bowl from the hole edge. It is this distance that gets smaller as the hole closes up, and
the integrated charge on the bowl interior decreases toward 0. According to (4.1.15) σout = σin +
constant, so the outer charge density has a similar shape but with a constant tail.
39
4.3 The full-sphere and flat-disk limits of σ
The Full Sphere Li
mit
The limit of interest here is u
0→ 0. Rather then let the bowl become large, we force R to maintain its
value by taking a →0 as well in such a way that R = a/sinu 0 stays constant. In terms of the drawing
(4.2.6), the red bowl rises up vertically until it just touches the x-axis. Since focal points x = ±a have
moved way in to the origin, when one draws the constant ξ circles, only those large ones with ξ ≈ 0
intersect the red bowl at finite points away from the origin. So the point is that ξ → 0 as well in this limit
so chξ → 1. Formally, from box (1.2.17) one has ξ = tanh-1[2aρ/(ρ2+z2+a2)] and R = a/|sinu 0| so,
ξ = tanh-1[2aρ/(ρ2+z2+a2)] = tanh-1[2 R|sinu 0|ρ/(ρ2+z2+ R2sin2u02)]
≈ 2 R|sinu 0| * ρ/(ρ2+z2) → 0 as u 0→ 0 . ( 4 . 3 . 1 )
But of course cosu 0 → 1 as well, so that chξ-cosu0 → 0. Looking then at (4.1.22),
σin = V0
4π2R { chξ-cosu0
2 cos(u0/2) – tan-1 [chξ-cosu0
2 cos(u0/2) ] } , (4.1.22)
since chξ-cosu0 / ( 2 cos(u0/2)) ≈ chξ-cosu0 / ( 2 ) → 0, and since tan-1x ≈ x for small argument,
the two terms cancel near the limit, in addition to each going to 0 at the limit, so without question one has
σin → 0, as appropriate for a full sphere held at a constant potential.
Meanwhile, from (4.1.21) we have σout = σin + (V0/4πR) = (V 0/4πR) uniformly on the outer surface
of the sphere. The total charge Q on the sphere is then Q = 4 πR2 (V0/4πR)) = V0R, as appropriate for a
sphere which has the known capacitance C = R.
The Flat Disk Limit
Working backwards, we start with the known charge density on a charged disk of radius a,
σ(ρ) = (V/π
2) / a2-ρ2 . // sum of charge density on both sides, cgs units (4.3.2)
This result may be found on page 64 (3.1.7) of Sned don, and on page p 93 of green Jackson (3.179) with
V = qπ/2a on page 92. Below we shall be taking the limit u 0→ π which causes cosu 0 → -1. Going ahead
with this limit, and using (1.2.2) that ρ = a shξ/(chξ - cosu0) = a shξ/(chξ +1) one finds,
a
2 - ρ2 = a2[ 1 - sh2ξ / (chξ+1)2] = a2[ (chξ+1)2 - sh2ξ ] / (chξ+1)2 = 2a2/ (chξ + 1) . (4.3.3)
Then the hoped-for disk limit is the following,
σ(ξ) = (V/aπ
2) (1/ 2 )chξ+1 . // sum of both sides (4.3.4)
40 Visually, the red bowl in Fig (4.2.6) deflates like a soap bubble until it becomes a red disk between the
two focal points ±a, see Fig (1.1.2a).
As is clear from (4.3.2), the disk charge density blows up at the disk edge as ρ→a, and takes the finite
value (V/ π2a) at disk center. The same behavior is seen in (4.3.4): At the disk edge, very tiny ξ circles
intersect the region of the disk edge, and tiny means ξ → ∞ so (4.3.4) blows up as well. At disk center
only ξ circles with ξ ≈ 0 intersect the central disk region so we find σ(ξ) = (V/aπ2) (1/ 2 )1+1 =
(V/aπ2), the same constant value.
Now that we have established (4.3.4) as our desired result, we take the u 0 → π limit of (4.1.22) to see
if we obtain that result. To have a visible limit, we set u 0 = π-ε and then we later take ε → 0. In this limit,
cos(u 0) → - 1 u 0 = π-ε
cos(u 0/2) = cos( π/2-ε/2) = sin(ε /2) ≈ ε/2
sin(u 0) = sin(π-ε) = + sin(ε ) ≈ ε . (4.3.5)
We must replace 1/R = sinu
0/a ≈ ε/a since R is going to infinity. Then starting with (4.1.22),
σin = V0
4π2R { chξ-cosu0
2 cos(u0/2) – tan-1 [chξ-cosu0
2 cos(u0/2) ] } (4.1.22)
≈ V0ε
4π2a { chξ+1
ε/2 – tan-1 [chξ+1
ε/2 ] } ≈ V0ε
4π2a { chξ+1
ε/2 – π /2 }
= V0
4π2a { 2 chξ+1 - επ/2 } ≈ V0
4π2a ( 2 chξ+1 )
= V0
22 π2a chξ+ 1 . ( 4 . 3 . 6 )
Notice that σ in is the surface charge on the lower side of the disk. On the upper side (4.1.15) says σout =
σin + (V0/4πR), but since R →∞ we get σout = σin, as symmetry requires. Then,
σ = 2σin = V0
2 π2a chξ+1 // both sides (4.3.7)
and this agrees with our expectation (4.3.4).
4.4 Bowl capacitance
The bowl capacitance wa
s inadvertently obtained in (2.5.17) in taking the large-r limit of the bowl
potential (2.4.14) expressed in elementary functions. Here we repeat this calculation working directly
with the Mehler integral form of the potential (2.4.13),
V(ξ ,u) = V0 2 chξ - cosu ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(chξ) ch[(π –u0)τ] ch[(π+u0-u)τ] / ch2(πτ) . (4.4.1)
41
To find the capacitance of the bowl, we study the po tential "far away". From (1.2.9) we know that the
large-r region corresponds to ξ << 1 and u = 2 π+ε with |ε| << 1. In this region, since P iτ-1/2(1) = 1 from
(H.7.2), the above integral becomes,
∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(chξ) ch[(π –u0)τ] ch[(π+u0-u)τ] / ch2(πτ)
≈ ∫0 ∞ dτ ch[(π–u0)τ] ch[(π+u0-2π)τ] / ch2(πτ) = ∫0 ∞ dτ ch2[(π–u0)τ] / ch2(πτ)
= (1/2 π) 2 ∫0 ∞ dx ch2[(1–u0/π)x]/ch2(x) . // x = πτ, dx = πdτ (4.4.2)
The following integral is evaluated in Appendix H.3,
2
∫0 ∞ dx ch2(bx)/ch2(x) = [πb/sin(πb) + 1] . 0 < |b| < 1 (H.3.1)
Apply this with b = (1-u 0/π) to find,
2 ∫0 ∞ dx ch2[(1–u0/π)x]/ch2(x) = π (1-u0/π) /sin(π (1-u0/π) ) + 1 = ( π-u0)/sin(π-u0) + 1
= ( π-u0)/sinu0 + 1 . ( 4 . 4 . 3 )
Therefore the integral in (4.4.1) has the following very simple evaluation,
∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(chξ) ch[(π –u0)τ] ch[(π+u0-u)τ]/ ch2(πτ) ≈ (1/2π) [(π-u0)/sinu0 + 1]
= ( 1 / 2 π) [ (π -u0) + sinu0 ] / sinu0 . ( 4 . 4 . 4 )
Meanwhile, from (1.2.11), (1.2.14) and (1.2.15) we know that in the large r region,
2 chξ - cosu ≈ 2 (ξ2+ε2)/2 = ξ2 +ε2 = 1+ρ2/z2 ε ≈ 2a/r . (4.4.5)
Therefore (4.4.1) with (4.4.4) may be written,
V(ξ ,u) = V
0 2 chξ - cosu ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(chξ) ch[(π –u0)τ] ch[(π+u0-u)τ]/ ch2(πτ)
≈ V0 (2a/r) (1/2π ) [ (π -u0) + sinu0 ] / sinu0
= V
0 (a/rsinu 0) (1/π ) [ (π -u0) + sinu0 ] . (4.4.6)
42
But from (1.2.6) one has R = a/|sinu 0| so then, assuming 0 ≤ u0 ≤ π,
V(ξ,u) = V
0 (R/r) (1/ π) [(π-u0) + sinu0 ]
= (V 0/r) (R/π) [ (π -u0) + sinu0 ] . (4.4.7)
Far away the bowl looks like a point charge Q = CV 0 with potential V = Q/r. Thus
V = Q/r = (CV
0)/r = (V 0/ r ) C . ( 4 . 4 . 8 )
Comparing the last two equations one reads off that
C = (R/π ) [ (π-u
0) + sinu0 ] . // capacitance of bowl u 0 (4.4.9)
Defining β = π-u
0 as the "bowl angle" from base to lip as in Fig (1.2.1), one has sin β = sinu0 so
C = (R/π ) ( β + sinβ ) // SI units: C = 4 ε
0R(β + sinβ) (4.4.10)
This result agrees with (2.5.17) and the SI un it version agrees with Smythe p 204 Prob. 41.
Disk limit : Replace R = a/sinu 0 in (4.4.9) to get
C = (a/ π) [ (π-u0) + sinu0) ] / sinu 0
= (a/ π)[ (π-u0)/sin(π-u0) + 1 ] . ( 4 . 4 . 1 1 )
The disk is the limit of the bowl as u
0 → π as is clear from the left side of Fig (1.1.2). As u 0→ π the bowl
deflates and ends up being a disk in the mouth of the former bowl. In this limit the first term in (4.4.11) is
sinx/x → 1 and the result is
Cdisk = (2a/π ) . ( 4 . 4 . 1 2 )
This agrees with green Jackson page 92.
Full sphere limit
: Again as shown in Fig (1.1.2), the full bowl is a "big bowl" as u 0 → 0 and one finds
from (4.4.9) that
Csphere = (R/π) [ (π-u0) + sinu0 ] = (R/π) [ (π -0) + 0 ] = R (4.4.13)
which is the correct result for the capacitance of a sphere of radius R in cgs units.
43 5. Plots of the toroidal coordinates u( ρ,z ) and ξ(ρ,z)
The u coordinate
Recall from box (1.2.17) the equation
u = tan-1[ 2az/(ρ2+z2- a2) ] . ( 5 . 1 )
This is a misleading equation because it implies that u lies on the principle branch of the function tan-1
which then gives - π/2 < u < π /2. One should in fact interpret the a bove equation in this operational sense,
using other equations in box (1.2.17):
1. Compute ξ = tanh-1[2aρ/(ρ2+ z2 +a2)]
2. Compute cosu = ch ξ - (a/ρ)shξ // from ρ = a shξ/(chξ - cosu)
3. Compute sinu = (z/ ρ)shξ
4. Compute u = arctan2Pi(cosu,sinu) // arctanPi(x,y) ~ tan-1(y/x) (5.2)
where arctan2Pi(x,y) is a function of two argum ents which returns an angle in the range (0,2 π). The
Maple code for this function is shown in (9.2) below.
Here then is a plot of the function u( ρ,z) for u in the standard range 0 ≤ u ≤ 2π :
(5.3)
44
The black curve shows the locus in the ( ρ,z) plane of a particular value u = u 0 = π/4. Near this black locus
the plotted surface is very smooth. On the other hand, there are vertical cliffs on the z = 0 axis for ρ > 1
and ρ < -1.
The red arrow shows a hiking path from the lower level u = 0 to the upper level u = 2 π. This path
corresponds to the red path in the ρ-z plane below, where we have now combined the two parts of Fig
(1.1.2),
(5.4)
The vertical cliffs in (5.3) correspond to the discontinuities in (5.4).
In the treatment of a bowl of label u 0, we use the range u 0 ≤ u ≤ u0 + 2π, and compute this as follows in
the get(u) function of (9.4), u = arctan2Pi(cosu,sinu); // the old u( ρ,z)
if u < u
0 then u := u+2 π; // the new u( ρ,z) (5.5)
Here then is a plot of this new u( ρ,z) where we select u 0 = π/4 :
45
(5.6)
The same black u 0 = π/4 locus is shown, but now it represents the circular edge of Niagara Falls. The new
function u( ρ,z) has a discontinuity: it has value u = π/4 at the foot of the falls and a value u = π /4+2π at
the top of the falls. In terms of the bowl, u has a value of π/4 on its inner surface and π/4+2π on its outer
surface. The red arrow in Fig (5.6) shows a new hiking path from the lower level u = π/4 to the upper
level u = π/4+2π.
As a reminder, here is Fig (1.2.1) showing the range (u
0, u0+2π) in the (ρ,z) plane:
(5.7)
The red hiking path in (5.6) corresponds roughly to the red path in (5.7).
46
To make the connection between Fig (5.3) and Fig (1 .1.2) showing curves of constant u, we recall Fig
(5.3) on the left below, then display that in "contour style" on the right.
(5.8)
The ξ coordinate
Recall from box (1.2.17) the equation
ξ = tanh
-1[ 2aρ/(ρ2+ z2 +a2) ] . ( 5 . 9 )
Here is a plot of ξ (ρ,z) for the same argument ranges used above,
(5.10)
47 The peaks at the two focal points are infinite, though this plot cannot display that fact. The contour plot
on the right appears as Fig (1.1.3 ) when viewed from the top.
A plot of | ξ| better reveals that fact that ξ = 0 along the line ρ = 0:
(5.11)
Spherical Coordinates r and θ
The plots (5.8) for u(ρ ,z) and (5.10) for ξ(ρ,z) seem a bit strange. These plots show surfaces constructed
by stacking the level curves of the 2D bipolar coordina te system. In each "stack", the height of the level
curve is the label attached to that level curve. In the case of u, the vertical headwall of (5.8) or the
waterfall of (5.6) show areas of discontinuity of u.
A more familiar situation arises with spherical coordinates (r,θ ,φ) generated by rotating 2D polar
coordinates (r, θ). Here we show the bipolar level curves on the left, and the polar ones on the right. In
each case, any locus of discontinuity in a coordinate is shown in black.
(5.12)
48 In each case, rotation about the vertical z axis genera tes a 3D coordinate system, toroidal on the left and
spherical on the right. The level surfaces on the left ar e bowls and tori, while on the right they are spheres
and cones. For spherical coordinates we can plot r( ρ,z) and θ(r,z) as follows:
(5.13)
(5.14)
Again, in each case the surface on the le ft is formed by stacking the le vel curves on the right, where the
height of each level curve equals th e label of that curve. The headwall (cliff) in (5.14) results from the
black discontinuity in (5.12).
49 6. A selection of charged bowl potential plots
For a graph of the surfa
ce z = f(x,y) the gradient ∇2Df = (∂xf, ∂yf) points in a 2D direction in the (x,y)
plane which directs one locally uphill on the surface. This is so because df = ∇ 2Df • dr2D is a maximum
when one's displacement d r2D is aligned with ∇2Df.
Applying this to the potential function surface V = V( ρ,z), one concludes that the electric field E = - ∇
2DV
is a 2D vector in the ( ρ,z) plane which directs one downhill on th e surface. The steeper the downhill slope
at any point, the larger the 2D electric field : E = (E ρ,Ez) = (-∂ρV,-∂zV). Since the bowl is azimuthally
symmetric, there is no E field in the φ^ direction.
Thus, in the following graphs, one can regard the elect ric field as pointing in the 2D direction which is the
projection of the 3D downhill surface vector onto the ρ,z plane. So generally the E field points away from
the bowl, as one would expect for a positively charged bowl with V 0 > 0. The field is strongest where the
surface slope is largest. Not surprisingly, the slope is steepest right at the bowl surface.
Here then are plots of V( ρ,z) for several values of the bowl parameter u 0. Recall the rubber sheet
comment below (2.4.15). The second plot (u 0 = π/8) shows the nature of the potential for a sphere with a
relatively small hole.
50
____________________________________________________________________________
u0 = .01π/8: (basically, u 0 = 0)
____________________________________________________________________________
u0 = π/8: a bowl that is almost a complete sphere u 0 = 2π/8:
____________________________________________________________________________
u0 = 3π/8: u 0 = 4π/8, the hemispherical bowl
51 ____________________________________________________________________________
u0= 5π/ 8 u 0= 6π/8
____________________________________________________________________________ u
0 = 7π/8, a very shallow bowl u 0 = π, potential of a disk
____________________________________________________________________________
When u
0 = π, the bowl slice becomes the line between the two foci, and the bowl becomes a perfect disk
of radius a. So built into this problem solution is an exact plot of the disk potential.
52 7. Mehler integrals
7.1 List of useful Mehler integrals
Mehler integration is the
seamy underside of using to roidal coordinates in the Mehler function atomic
forms (2.2.3) (2), and is worth some comment. The general form of a "Mehler integral" is this,
g(y) = ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y) f(τ) . y≥1 (2.4.1)
About the best we can do for P iτ-1/2 is a form like
P
ν(chξ) = eξνF(ν,1/2;1; 1 - e-2ξ) // Bateman (28) [ EH I p 128 ]
so P
iτ-1/2 (chξ) = e-(1/2)ξ eiξτ F(1/2-iτ, 1/2; 1; 1 - e-2ξ)
which at least isolates the variable τ into just one of the hypergeometr ic function's parameter arguments.
But even so, there is very little literature available on such integrals, so changing from P to F really buys
little. There are some integrals of P iτ-1/2(y) f(τ ) appearing in the literature (s ee below), but one often has
to do one's own integrals.
The starting point for doing a Mehler integral is to el evate P into some integral representation, such as
P
iτ-1/2(chα) = ( 2 /π) ∫0 α dx cos(τ x) / chα - chx (L.1.2)
Piτ-1/2(y) = ( 2 /π) ch(πτ ) ∫0 ∞ dx cos(τ x) / y + c h x (L.3.5)
which exposes a simple τ dependence. The τ integration can then usually be done, and one is faced with
the final x integration which can hopefully be looked up somewhere. The following Mehler integrals are
derived in Appendix L :
∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y) = 1
2 1
y-1 ( 7 . 1 . 1 )
∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y) cos(aτ) = 1
2 1
y-cha Heaviside(y-cha) (7.1.2)
∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y) cos(aτ) / ch(πτ) = 1
2 1
y+cha ( 7 . 1 . 3 )
∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y) cos(aτ) / ch2(πτ) = 2
π 1
y-cha tan-1[ y-cha
1+cha ] (7.1.4)
53 ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y) ch(bτ) / ch2(πτ) = 2
π 1
y-cosb cot-1[1+cosb
y-cosb ] (7.1.5)
∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y) sh(bτ) sh(πτ ) / ch2(πτ) = 2
π 1
y+cosb tan-1 (1-cosb
y+cosb ) . (7.1.6)
This set of integrals includes all those needed to obtain results given earlier in this monograph.
One can replace cot-1(x/y) = tan-1(y/x) in (7.1.5) to make it look more like (7.1.4) but we have
chosen cot-1 since it puts 1 ± cosb in the numerator and since 1 ± cosb = 0 for certain values of b.
In the last two integrals one sees the expressions 1+cosb and 1-cosb . If these are properly treated
as analytic functions of b, then as b sweeps along th e real axis, these functions change sign at odd
multiples of π. This fact is more obvious when one writes these functions as 2 cos(b/2) and 2 sin(b/2).
See Appendix M.
7.2 Evaluation of the integral X appearing in (4.1.10)
As a Mehler i
ntegral example, the in tegral (4.1.10) above has this form
X = ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y) ch(bτ) τ sh(πτ) / ch2(πτ) // y = ch ξ and b = π-u0 (7.2.1)
which has an unpleasant τ factor in the integrand. This integral can be done as X = ∂bY where
Y = ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y) sh(bτ) sh(πτ) / ch2(πτ) . ( 7 . 2 . 2 )
We know how to evaluate Y from (7.1.6),
∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y) sh(bτ) sh(πτ )/ch2(πτ) = ( 2 /π ) 1
y+cosb tan-1 (1-cosb
y+cosb ) (7.1.6)
so we compute X as,
X = ∂
bY = ∂b{ ( 2 /π ) 1
y+cosb tan-1 (1-cosb
y+cosb ) } . (7.2.3)
Maple computes ∂b with this result,
54
We manually rewrite this last result as
X = 1
π
2 1
y+cosb sinb
1-cosb { 1 + 1-cosb
y+cosb tan-1(1-cosb
y+cosb ) }
= 1
π2 1
y+cosb sinb
2 sin(b/2) { 1 + 2 sin(b/2)
y+cosb tan-1(2 sin(b/2)
y+cosb ) } .
= 1
π
2 1
y+cosb 2sin(b/2)cos(b/2)
2 sin(b/2) { 1 + 2 sin(b/2)
y+cosb tan-1(2 sin(b/2)
y+cosb ) } .
= 1
π
cos(b/2)
y+cosb { 1 + 2 sin(b/2)
y+cosb tan-1(2 sin(b/2)
y+cosb ) } . (7.2.4)
Setting y = ch ξ and b = π-u0 one finds
sin(b/2) = sin( π/2-u
0/2) = cos(u 0/2)
cos(b/2) = cos( π/2-u0/2) = sin(u 0/2)
cos(b) = -cos(u 0)
sin(b) = sin( π-u0) = sin(u 0) ( 7 . 2 . 5 )
so then
X = 1
π sin(u0/2)
chξ-cosu0 { 1 + 2 cos(u0/2)
chξ-cosu0 tan-1(2 cos(u0/2)
chξ-cosu0 ) } (7.2.6)
and therefore we have shown that our X in tegral (4.1.10) has this evaluation:
X = ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(chξ) ch[(π-u0)τ] τ sh(πτ) / ch2(πτ)
= 1
π sin(u0/2)
chξ-cosu0 [ 1 + 2 cos(u0/2)
chξ-cosu0 tan-1(2 cos(u0/2)
chξ-cosu0 ) ] (7.2.7)
55
= 1
π sin(u0/2)
chξ-cosu0 [ 1 + A
B tan-1(A
B ) ] . A = 2 cos(u0/2), B = chξ-cosu0 (7.2.8)
With u0 → β0 and ξ → α , this result agrees with Lebedev et al. Problem 501 p 239,
(7.2.9)
7.3 Where to find Mehler integrals (some errata noted)
The largest s
ource of such integrals known to the author is an extremely obscure 1961 Boeing Report
#246 written by no less than Professor Fritz Oberhetti nger and coworker Theodore Higgins. It contains
over 100 Mehler integrals involving P iτ-1/2(y) and P iτ-1/2m(y) ("generalized" Mehler integrals), along
with integrals against K ix(y) known as Lebedev transforms.
Integral (7.1.6) appears for example as page 20 #3. Integral (7.1.4) above appears as page 20 #5 for y > cha, but the corresponding log form for y<cha
has a typo in that the leading f actor should be 1/2 instead of 1/
2 .
Integral (7.1.5) appears as page 20 #6 expressed as tan-1 but the upper right exponent should be -1/2
instead of +1/2. That same erroneous exponent also appears in PBM mentioned next (this is from PBM
volume 3 on Special Functions (2003), Russian page 181, integral 2.17.24.6),
// wrong
Using cot
-1 = π/2 - tan-1 for the principle branch of the arc trig functions, our (7.1.5) above becomes
∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y) ch(bτ) sech2(πτ)
= 1
2 1
y-cosb – 2
π 1
y-cosb tan-1[1+cosb
y-cosb ] (7.1.5a)
which shows the correct placement of the radicals. The second largest source is the just-mentioned volume 3 of the special functions series of PBM which
has about 20 integrals of P
iτ-1/2(y) against elementary functions and many more against special
functions.
56
Bateman ET II has a handful of Mehler integrals (p 329-30), and GR7 has somewhat more (Section 7.21,
all taken from ET II). Perhaps there is some recent co llection of Mehler integrals unknown to the author.
7.4 Mehler Functions: hypergeometric forms and plots
As noted in (2.2.3), the M
ehler functions P iτ-1/2m(chξ) and Qiτ-1/2m(chξ) are oscillatory for ξ in (0,∞).
Here we shall demonstrate this fact with a few plots for the m=0 functions.
Maple V has built-in LegendreP and LegendreQ functions with an ability to adjust the cut locations. However, these provided functions don't always eval uate where we need them. For example (I = i),
// meaning: does not compute
Since we don't own Maple 2015, we cannot check whethe r this problem has been remedied. We therefore
roll our own Legendre functions, using specific hypergeo metric representations that are geared toward
evaluation in the range z = ch ξ > 1 :
P
ν(z) = zν F(-ν/2, 1/2-ν/2; 1; 1-1/z2) / / B a t e m a n ( 2 4 )
P(ν,ξ) ≡ P
ν(chξ) = (chξ)ν F(-ν /2, 1/2-ν/2; 1; th2ξ) ( 7 . 4 . 1 )
Qν(z) = π Γ(1+ν) (z+ z2-1 )-1-ν (Γ(ν+3/2))-1 F(1/2, 1+ν; 3/2+ν; z-z2-1
z+z2-1 ) // Bateman (45)
Qν(chξ) = π Γ(1+ν) (eξ)-1-ν (Γ(ν+3/2))-1 F(1/2, 1+ν; 3/2+ν; e-2ξ) . (7.4.2)
These are from a Bateman EH I table, pages 129 and 136. Our application will then use ν = iτ-1/2,
P
iτ-1/2(chξ) = P(iτ -1/2,ξ)
Qiτ-1/2(chξ) = Q(iτ -1/2,ξ) . ( 7 . 4 . 3 )
We have found that Bateman (45) works better th an Bateman (36) for the Q function over all our
computations in this document. (45) seems more co nvergent and faster than (36). See Comment below.
We first enter and test these new P and Q functions :
57
( 7 . 4 . 4 )
Here we plot P
iτ-1/2(chξ) [red] and Q iτ-1/2(chξ) [black] for ξ = 0.2 and for τ in range (0,100):
(7.4.5)
The evaluation produces spurious tiny imaginary part s which we filter out usin g the Maple Re() operator.
At τ = 0 the Mehler functions have these forms,
P
-1/2(chξ) = (2/π) K(th[ξ /2])/ch(ξ/2) K(0) = π/2 // NIST (14.5.25) and (19.6.1)
Q-1/2(chξ) = (2/ π )e-ξ/2 K(e-ξ) K(1) = ∞ // NIST (14.5.27) and (19.6.1)
( 7 . 4 . 6 )
58 where K is the first-kind complete elliptic integral. Evaluating at ξ = 0 one then finds
P-1/2(1) = (2/π)(π/2)/1 = 1 // as expected
Q-1/2(1) = (2/ π ) 1 K(1) = ∞ // blows up at τ = 0 and ξ = 0 . (7.4.7)
Here then is a 3D plot showing P
iτ-1/2(chξ) for τ in (0,100) and ξ in (0.0,0.5),
(7.4.8)
Slices at xi = ξ = constant produce curves like the red one above in (7.4.5) for ξ = 0.2. As noted in (7.4.7),
the function takes the value 1 when τ = 0 and ξ = 0.
Here is a similar plot showing Q iτ-1/2(chξ) for τ in (0.01,80) and ξ in (0.0,0.5),
59
(7.4.9)
Slices at xi = constant produce curves like the black one above in (7.4.5) for ξ = 0.2. As noted in (7.4.7),
the function is infinite when τ = 0 and ξ = 0 (our plot starts at ξ = .01).
Comment on the hypergeometric function
. We use the Bateman forms (7.4.1) and (7.4.2) for P and Q.
The basic hypergeometric function (series) F(a,b;c;z) is analytic for |z| < 1 and has a branch point at z = 1
which limits that circle of convergence. Ther e are many other hypergeometric forms for P ν(z) and Q ν(z)
listed in Bateman EH I pp 124-139 (K ummer's solutions p 105), and each has its own region of analyticity
in the z-plane. Wherever two forms have overlappi ng analytic regions, they agree. One can think of
moving from form to form as if one were navigati ng the Northwest Passage (sailing = doing analytic
continuation),
(7.4.10)
There are always at least two "forms" that are analy tic (blue water) in a region of interest. In a given
region, the series of one form might converge more rapidly that that of another form.
The convergence regions are not always disks. He re are two examples showing the Bateman table
form numbers for P and Q. On the top regions are disk and iris, but on the bottom we have a bowtie
boundary separating two regions of convergence. The bowtie and disk have some overlap.
60
( 7 . 4 . 1 1 )
61 8. The bowl potential in elementary functions
Start with the bowl potent
ial derived above in (2.4.13),
V(ξ ,u) = V0 2 chξ - cosu ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(chξ) ch[(π–u0)τ] ch[(π+u0-u)τ]
ch2(πτ) . (2.4.13) (8.1)
Recall the identity, 2ch[(x+y)/2]ch[(x-y)/2] = ch(x) + ch(y) . (8.2)
Set x = (2 π-u)τ and y = (2u
0-u)τ ⇒ (x+y)/2 = (2 π-u+2u0-u)τ/2 = (π +u0- u)τ
⇒ (x-y)/2 = (2 π-u-2u0+u)τ/2 = (π -u0)τ . (8.3)
Therefore (8.2) reads,
2 ch[( π+u0- u)τ]ch[(π-u0)τ] = ch[(2π-u)τ] + ch[ (2u 0-u)τ] . (8.4)
Use this to break (8.1) into two terms,
V(ξ ,u) = V0 2 chξ - cosu ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(chξ) ch[(2π-u)τ] + ch[ (2u 0-u)τ]
2ch2(πτ)
= (V0 /2 ) chξ - cosu { ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(chξ) ch[(2π-u)τ]
ch2(πτ) + ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(chξ) ch[ (2u0-u)τ]
ch2(πτ) } .
( 8 . 5 )
Recall integral (7.1.5) with y = ch ξ and 1+cosb = 2 cos(b/2),
∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(chξ) ch(bτ)
ch2(πτ) = ( 2 /π ) 1
chξ-cosb cot-1[2 cos(b/2)
chξ-cosb ] . (8.6)
Use this integral twice in (8.5): the first term has b 1 = (2π-u) and the second has b 2 = (2u0- u),
V(ξ,u) = (V 0 /2 ) chξ - cosu * ( 2 /π )
{ 1
chξ-cos(2π-u) cot-1[2 cos(π-u/2)
chξ-cos(2π-u) ] + 1
chξ-cos(2u0- u) cot-1[2 cos(u0-u/2)
chξ-cos(2u0- u) ] } .
Making the obvious simplifications,
V(ξ,u) = (V0/π) { cot-1[2 cos(π-u/2)
chξ-cosu ] + chξ - cosu
chξ-cos(2u0- u) cot-1[2 cos(u0-u/2)
chξ-cos(2u0- u) ] } . (8.7)
Finally, replace cos( π-u/2) = - cos(u/2) and then use cot-1(-x) = π - cot(x) to get these final forms
62
V(ξ,u) = (V0/π) { cot-1[ - 2 cos(u/2)
chξ-cosu ] + chξ - cosu
chξ-cos(2u0- u) cot-1[2 cos(u0-u/2)
chξ-cos(2u0- u) ] } (a)
( 8 . 8 )
V(ξ,u) = (V0/π) { π - cot-1[ 2 cos(u/2)
chξ-cosu ] + chξ - cosu
chξ-cos(2u0- u) cot-1[2 cos(u0-u/2)
chξ-cos(2u0- u) ] } (b)
u0 in (0,2π )
u in (u 0, 2π+u0) ch ξ in (1,∞ ) . // potential of bowl u 0
Convergence of (8.6)
Does the integral (8.6) converge for our two values of parameter b ?
∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(chξ) ch(bτ)
ch2(πτ) = ( 2 /π ) 1
chξ-cosb cot-1[2 cos(b/2)
chξ-cosb ] . (8.6)
For large τ one finds that |P iτ-1/2(y)| ~ τ-1/2 (see (H.5.7) with n = i τ-1/2). On the other hand,
ch(bτ)
ch2(πτ) → e|b|τ/2
(eπτ/2)2 = 2 e(|b|-2π)τ as τ→∞ . (8.9)
Therefore the integral converges for sure if |b| < 2 π. At |b| = 2 π it also converges as shown in (7.1.1).
Are we respecting this requirement that |b| ≤ 2π?
Above we use, b
1 = (2π-u)
b2 = (2u0- u)
u0 ≤ u ≤ u0 + 2π where 0 ≤ u0 ≤ 2π. ( 8 . 1 0 )
Therefore, for fixed u
0 we find
b
1min = min(2π-u) = 2π - max(u) = 2 π -(u0+2π) = -u0
b 1max = max(2π-u) = 2π - min(u) = 2 π - u0
b
2min = min(2u 0-u) = 2u0 - max(u) = 2u 0- (u0+2π) = u0 - 2π
b 2max = max(2u 0-u) = 2u0 - min(u) = 2u 0- u0 = u0 ( 8 . 1 1 )
If we now consider all possible values of u
0, our ranges increase:
63 b 1min = min(-u 0) = - max(u 0) = -2π
b 1max = max( 2π - u0) = 2π - min(u0) = 2π
b 2min = min(u 0 - 2π) = min(u 0) - 2π = -2π
b 2max = max(u 0) = 2π ( 8 . 1 2 )
In all cases we have |b| ≤ 2π so the integral (8.6) is convergent for our application.
64 9. Using Maple to plot the bowl potential
We use old
Maple V because we have it; any computer algebra system will do, though the syntax changes
slightly. The code text is given in Appendix A, here we use screen clips. The first order of business is to
enter the bowl potential from (8.8b) and set a few parameter values: V 0 = 1 , a = 1, u 0 = π/4 .
(9.1)
Next, we need a special routine which takes a point (x,y) on a circle and returns a tan-1 angle which lies
in the range (0,2 π), where the angle is measured CCW away from the x axis. Maple has an internal
function that does something like this, but we want to see what is happening. The basic Maple arctan
function used below returns values in (-π /2,π/2) which is the principle branch.
(9.2)
The type functions relate to an obscure eval uation quirk of Maple and should be ignored.
65 The following routine uses the box (1.2.17) inverse equation for u,
u = tan-1[ 2az/(ρ2+z2- a2)] = tan-1(y/x) = arctan2Pi(x,y) = arctan2Pi( ρ2+z2- a2, 2az) (9.3)
then adjusts the result to be in the proper range (u
0, u0+ 2π) :
(9.4)
We used this getu function to plot the surfaces of u shown in Fig (5.6) (you may have to stare at this
picture for awhile, it is a camera shot from below the plane)
(9.5)
Finally, here is the code to plot the potential surface:
66
( 9 . 6 )
67 10. Potential and capacitance of a charged torus
The charged torus pr
oblem provides an interesting contrast to the bowl problem. In particular, the
spectrum of the eigenvalues appearing in the atomic fo rms is discrete instead of continuous, so solutions
are sums instead of integrals.
10.1 The potential of a charged torus
Looking back at the two toroidal atom
ic forms in (2.2.3), one can see that for problems involving a torus
as boundary ( ξ = ξ0) one must be oscillatory in the other two coordinates u and φ. Thus we select
expo osc osc
(1)
chξ - cosu [P n-1/2m(chξ), Qn-1/2m(chξ) ] [ sin(nu),cos(nu)] [ sin(m φ),cos(mφ)] (10.1.1)
We take the range for u to be the normal unadjusted (0,2 π),
(10.1.2)
Unlike the situation with the bowl problem, the red path of u values around the grey torus tube is
unobstructed so the potential must be periodic in u with period 2 π, and this fact causes quantization to
integers of the parameter n appearing in the atomic form. Furthermore, V( ξ,u) = V(ξ,2π-u) by symmetry
in the z=0 plane. Since cos(n(2 π-u)) = cos(nu) whereas sin(n(2 π-u)) = - sin(nu), only the cos(nu) atoms
can contribute. Thus we quickly arrive at the following Smythian form for the potential of a charged torus,
V(ξ,u) =
chξ - cosu Σn=0∞ Pn-1/2 (chξ) An cos(nu) (10.1.3)
where A n are coefficients to be determined. A possible Q n-1/2 (chξ) term is rejected for the exact same
reason described below (2.3.1): the potential must be smooth on the z axis (which is ξ = 0), but Q ν(chξ) is
log singular at ξ = 0, as shown in (H.7.5).
From (10.1.3) the boundary condition of constant potential V 0 on the torus of label ξ0 is this
V0/chξ0 - cosu = Σn=0∞ Pn-1/2 (chξ0) An cos(nu) . (10.1.4)
Unlike the bowl situation, here we have a singl e boundary condition because the torus has only a single
surface "exposed to the outside world". The inside of the torus is completely separated from the outside,
and the Smythian form (10.1.4) only applies to the outside region. Inside the torus the potential is V = V 0,
since this is the constant potential of the closed bounding toroidal surface.
68 To solve (10.1.4) fo r the coefficients A n, apply ∫0 π du cos(mu) to both sides to get
V0 ∫0 π du cos(mu) (1/ chξ0 - cosu ) = Σn=0∞ Pn-1/2 (chξ0) An ∫0 π du cos(mu) cos(nu) . (10.1.5)
On the right side, make use of this well-known orthogonality relation (see (J.2.8) line 3),
∫0 π du cos(nu)cos(mu) = (π /εn) δn,m , εn = 2-δn,0 = "Neumann's Factor" (10.1.6)
to get
V
0 ∫0 π du cos(mu) (1/ chξ0 - cosu ) = ( π/εm) Pm-1/2 (chξ0) Am . (10.1.7)
Next, make use of the second equation of the followi ng nameless transform, derived in (J.3.8),
1/ a - b cos(x) = (1/ π) 2/b Σn=0∞ εn Qn-1/2 (a/b) cos(nx) // expansion (10.1.8a)
∫0 π dx cos(nx)/ a - b cos(x) = 2/b Qn-1/2 (a/b) // projection (10.1.8b)
with a = ch ξ0 and b = 1 to write (10.1.7) as,
V02 Qm-1/2 (chξ0) = (π/εm)Pm-1/2 (chξ0) Am . (10.1.9)
The coefficients are therefore
An = V0 (2 εn/π)[Qn-1/2 (chξ0)/ Pn-1/2 (chξ0)] . (10.1.10)
Inserting this A n into our Smythian form (10.1.3) gives the following potential for a torus of label ξ0,
V(ξ,u) = V0 2
π chξ - cosu Σn=0∞ εn Pn-1/2 (chξ) Qn-1/2 (chξ0)
Pn-1/2 (chξ0) cos(nu) . (10.1.11)
This can be compared with Morse and Feshbach p 1304 ( ξ = μ and u = η )
// wrong
69
where the εn factor has been erroneously omitted. In May 2010 I asked Mark Feshbach if he knew of an
errata collection for the massive 2000 page masterwo rk coauthored by his father, but he did not. The
source of the missing εn factor is tracked down a bit in (J.3.9). The correct result (10.1.11) appears as
(8.11.7) in Lebedev's Special Functions , where ξ = α , ξ0 = α0 and u = β,
10.2 How many terms should one keep in the potential series?
To study
the series (10.1.11) we write it in terms of coefficients A n (new An) as follows,
V(ξ,u) = V0 2
π chξ - cosu Σn=0∞εnAn cos(nu)
A n ≡ Pn-1/2 (chξ) Qn-1/2 (chξ0)
Pn-1/2 (chξ0) . (10.2.1)
For this discussion, we consider only the range 0 ≤ ξ ≤ ξ0 which corresponds to the region outside the
torus of Fig (10.1.2). For any pair of values ( ξ0,ξ) that meet this condition, the A n are positive and
exponentially decreasing with n. Here is an illustration for ξ0 = 1 and ξ = 0.1 (red), 0.7 and 1.0 (blue) :
(10.2.2)
The upper blue curve with ξ = ξ0 shows the worst convergence with n. Maple of course interpolates
smoothly between our integer n values.
In (H.5.10) we show that the asymptotic limit of A
n for large n is,
70 An ≡ Pn-1/2 (chξ) Qn-1/2 (chξ0)
Pn-1/2 (chξ0) → π
2nshξ e-n(2ξ0-ξ) . as n→∞ (10.2.3)
Here An decreases exponentially for very large n, and the least convergence occurs when ξ = ξ0. We just
showed that both these claims are valid (approximately) for small n as well.
Therefore, in trying to determine the number of terms needed in the series (10.2.1) to get a given amount
of accuracy, we shall makes the worst-case assumption that ξ = ξ
0. But in this situation the two P
functions in A n cancel leaving just
A
n = Qn-1/2 (chξ0) , ξ = ξ0 (10.2.4)
and then the potential series becomes (now evaluated at the toroidal surface),
V(ξ0,u) = V0 2
π chξ0 - cosu Σn=0∞ εn Qn-1/2 (chξ0) cos(nu) . (10.2.5)
Although this equation is an identity according to (10.1. 8a), we still use it to evaluate sum convergence.
We ignore εn= 1 - δn,0 in the following convergence discussion. We also assume the worst case situation
u = 0 or 2 π so that cos(nu) = 1 so there is no convergence assistance from cos(nu).
To see how many terms in (10.2.5) give a reasonable result, a brute force method is to add up the series
with a variable number of terms and see at what n the sum stabilizes. For example, for ξ
0 = 1,
(10.2.6)
In this case about 10 terms gives a stable result. On the right we show a torus cross section for ξ0 = 1.
71 It turns out that as ξ0 is decreased, the number of terms required increases. We repeat the above plot now
for the case ξ0 = 0.2 which makes the hole in the torus very small (close to a degenerate torus),
(10.2.7)
In this case one might regard 40 terms as a reasonable number of terms to keep in the series (10.2.5) and
therefore in (10.2.1).
10.3 Using Maple to plot the torus potential
The
method is similar to that used to plot the bow l potential in Section 9. The Legendre functions are
those of (7.4.1) and (7.4.2) while the arctan2Pi function is shown in (9.2). The u coordinate is unaltered so
there is no getu routine, but there is now a getxi routine which pins the potential at V 0 whenever a
location inside the torus is detected ( ξ = tanh-1[2aρ/(ρ2+ z2 +a2)] from (1.2.5) ) ,
(10.3.1)
// to generate εn (10.3.2)
Here then is the plotting code using (10.1.11) for V( ξ,u).
V(ξ,u) = V0 2
π chξ - cosu Σn=0∞ εn Pn-1/2 (chξ) Qn-1/2 (chξ0)
Pn-1/2 (chξ0) cos(nu) . (10.1.11)
72 V0 = 10 to allow for a "constrained" plot where all ax es have the same scale (otherwise the torus cross
section is not round), and ξ0 = 1 :
( 1 0 . 3 . 3 )
(10.3.4)
A close-in shot is more interesting, showing how the potential drops a bit in the center of the ξ0 = 1 torus,
73
(10.3.5)
For a thinner torus (larger ξ0) the potential drops more in the toroid center. Here V 0 = 5 :
ξ 0 = 2 ξ 0 = 3 (10.3.6)
These are plots of the potential of a charged conducting torus taken on any 2D azimuthal slice.
74 10.4 Capacitance of a torus
Recall fro
m the text below (1.2.8) that large r means ξ→0 and u→0 in toroidal coordinates. We can
therefore set P n-1/2 (chξ) = 1 [see (H.7.2)] and cos(nu) = 1 in (10.1.11) to get
V(ξ,u) ≈ V0 2
π chξ - cosu Σn=0∞ εn Qn-1/2 (chξ0)
Pn-1/2 (chξ0) . // large r (10.4.1)
As in the bowl problem, we know from (1.2.16) that chξ - cosu ≈ 2 a/r for large r, so
V(ξ,u) ≈ V0 2
π (2 a / r) Σ n=0∞ εn Qn-1/2 (chξ0)
Pn-1/2 (chξ0) . (10.4.2)
Thinking of this as V = Q/r and using Q = CV 0 so that V( ξ,u) = V0C/r we find that the capacitance of a
torus of label ξ0 is given by
C = 2a
π Σn=0∞ εn Qn-1/2 (chξ0)
Pn-1/2 (chξ0) εn = 2-δn,0 . (10.4.3)
Sometimes this result is expressed in terms of R and ρc shown below (R is the tube radius, ρc is the torus
radius to the center line of the tube),
(10.4.4)
From box (1.2.17) or (1.2.7) we know that
ρ
c = a cothξ0 R = a /sh ξ0 => ρc2 - R2 = a , ρc/R = chξ0 (10.4.5)
so that the C formula can be written (remi nder: this is cgs units, multiply by 4 πε0 to get SI units),
C = (2/π ) ρc2 - R2 Σn=0∞ εn Qn-1/2 (ρc/R)
Pn-1/2 (ρc/R) εn = 2-δn,0 . (10.4.6)
Were we to define ε'n ≡ εn/2 we could write,
75
C = (4/π ) ρc2 - R2 Σn=0∞ ε'n Qn-1/2 (ρc/R)
Pn-1/2 (ρc/R) , ε'n = 1/2 if n=0, else ε'n = 1 . (10.4.7)
This is in agreement with the 1954 result of Snow, for whom our ρc and R are his A and a :
(10.4.8)
This Chester Snow result appears on page 9 of a fascinating 1954 "Circular 544" he wrote for the National Bureau of Standards which contains ma ny unusual capacitance and inductance calculations.
The series (10.4.6) is exponentially convergent, and (H.5.9) shows that,
B
n ≡ Qn-1/2 (chξ0)
Pn-1/2 (chξ0) → π e-2nξ0 as n→ ∞ . (H.5.9)
Using the Legendre functions P( ν,ξ) = Pν(chξ) and Q(ν ,ξ) = Qν(chξ) described in (7.4.1) and (7.4.2),
Maple plots the torus capacitance C in (10.4.6) as a function of R/ ρc where we set ρc = 1. The first 20
terms give a stable plot -- adding more terms does not visibly change the curve.
(10.4.9)
76 R/ρc = 1 describes a degenerate torus where the hole just disappears (upper right of plot), and R →0 gives
a limiting thin wire ring (lower left of plot). Both these limits are quite fascinating and are discussed in
some detail in Appendix I. The degenerate torus limit R=1 gives the mysterious value C ≈ 1.7414. The author would love to
know if this number is a simple function of π, small integers and simple roots (see Appendix I.3).
A comparison of this degenerate torus to a sphere which just encloses it (r=2R),
(10.4.10)
reveals these facts :
Ctoroid = 1.7414 R // mystery number
Csphere = 2.0000 R ratio sphere/torus = 2.0000/1.741 = 1.149
( 1 0 . 4 . 1 1 )
AREA toroid = 4π2R2 / / a r e a = 4 π2Rρc
AREA sphere = 16πR2 ratio sphere/torus = 4/ π = 1.273 // area = 4 π(2R)2 .
So the sphere has 27% more area and 15% more cap acitance than the enclosed degenerate torus. We
expect the sphere to have more capacitance since it is the optimal shape for k eeping the charges apart.
That is to say, the energy stored in the electric field, (1/2)CV
02 = (1/2)Q2/C, is the work needed to
assemble the charge Q from r = ∞. Since this work is less for a sphere than for the enclosed toroid, the
sphere has a larger C than the enclosed toroid.
In (I.1.7) it is shown that for R < 10
-3 (the thin-wire limit), the torus capacitance is given by
C(R) ≈ π / ln(8/R) ≡ C0(R) . // ρc = 1 (I.1.7) (10.4.12)
Here is a plot of C
0(R) versus logR,
77
(I.1.9)
If we go from R/ ρc = 10-3 to R/ρc = 10-63, capacitance drops only by a factor of 10, so one might say
that a wire ring "holds its capacitance quite well" as the wire gets thinner and thinner. Ultimately the
capacitance goes to 0 as the wire vanishes out of existe nce. This can be compared to the capacitance of a
metal sphere which is shrunk to a point, in which case C = R → 0 in a more reasonable fashion.
If a metal sphere carrying fixed charge Q is gradua lly shrunk to a point, work must be done to get the
charges closer together which raises the sphere's potential V relative to infinity ( E = CV2/2 = QV/2). The
charges are all piled on top of each other in the limit, so C = Q/V goes to 0 quickly. In the torus case, the
charges can stay away from each other to some extent by being spread out around the wire ring, so V rises
more slowly as the ring is made thinner.
10.5 Surface charge density on a torus
The torus surface charge d
ensity may be obtained from the potential in this manner,
σ = + (1/4π) (1/hξ0) [∂ξV(ξ,u)]|ξ=ξ0 1/hξ0 = (chξ0 - cosu)/a . (10.5.1)
An explanation is given below (4.1.2 ), and the sign here is + because ξ decreases moving outward from
the torus surface. The torus potentia l was found in (10.1.11) to be
V(ξ,u) = V0 2
π chξ - cosu Σn=0∞ εn Pn-1/2 (chξ) Qn-1/2 (chξ0)
Pn-1/2 (chξ0) cos(nu) (10.1.11) (10.5.2)
= V
0 2
π Σn=0∞ εn Qn-1/2 (chξ0)
Pn-1/2 (chξ0) cos(nu) [ chξ - cosu P n-1/2 (chξ) ] .
Therefore (10.5.1) reads,
σ = + 1
4π V0 2
π Σn=0∞εn Qn-1/2 (chξ0)
Pn-1/2 (chξ0) cos(nu) * 1
hξ0 ∂ξ [ chξ - cosu P n-1/2 (chξ) ] |ξ=ξ0 .(10.5.3)
78 We need then to compute,
∂ξ [ chξ - cosu P n-1/2 (chξ) ]
= chξ - cosu [ P' n-1/2 (chξ) shξ ] + [(1/2) (1/ chξ - cosu ) * sh ξ ] Pn-1/2 (chξ)
= shξ [ chξ - cosu P' n-1/2 (chξ) + (1/2) (1/ chξ - cosu ) P n-1/2 (chξ) ] |ξ=ξ0
= shξ0 [ chξ0 - cosu P' n-1/2 (chξ0) + (1/2)(1/ chξ0 - cosu ) P n-1/2 (chξ0) ] , (10.5.4)
where P' ν(z) means ∂zPν(z). Then using 1/h ξ0 = (chξ0 - cosu)/a ,
(1/h ξ0) ∂ξ [ chξ - cosu P n-1/2 (chξ) ] |ξ=ξ0
= (sh ξ0/a) (chξ0 - cosu) [ chξ0 - cosu P' n-1/2 (chξ0) + (1/2)(1/ chξ0 - cosu )P n-1/2 (chξ0) ] .
= (shξ
0/a) [ (chξ0 - cosu)3/2 P'n-1/2 (chξ0) + (1/2) chξ0 - cosu P n-1/2 (chξ0) ] . (10.5.5)
Inserting this into (10.5.3) gives, using sh ξ0/a = 1/R from (1.2.7), this preliminary result,
σ = + 1
4πR V0 2
π Σn=0∞ εn Qn-1/2 (chξ0)
Pn-1/2 (chξ0) cos(nu)
[ ( c h ξ0 - cosu)3/2 P'n-1/2 (chξ0) + (1/2) chξ0 - cosu P n-1/2 (chξ0) ] . (10.5.6)
We now write this as the sum of the two terms σ = σ1 + σ2 where
σ1 = + 1
4πR V0 2
π Σn=0∞ εn Qn-1/2 (chξ0)
Pn-1/2 (chξ0) cos(nu) * (ch ξ0 - cosu)3/2 P'n-1/2 (chξ0)
σ
2 = 1
4πR V0 2
π Σn=0∞ εn Qn-1/2 (chξ0)
Pn-1/2 (chξ0) cos(nu) * chξ0 - cosu * 1
2 Pn-1/2 (chξ0) ]
which we then reorganize to get
σ
1 = 1
4πR V0 2
π (chξ0 - cosu)3/2 Σn=0∞ εn P'n-1/2 (chξ0) Qn-1/2 (chξ0)
Pn-1/2 (chξ0) cos(nu)
σ2 = 1
4πR V0 2
π chξ0 - cosu 1
2 Σn=0∞ εn Qn-1/2 (chξ0) cos(nu) . (10.5.7)
Recall (10.1.8a) with a = ch ξ0 and b = 1 and x = u,
79
1 = chξ0 - cosu 2
π Σn=0∞ εn Qn-1/2 (chξ0) cos(nu) . (10.5.8)
This "sum rule" greatly simplifies σ2 so that now,
σ2 = 1
4πR V0 1
2 = 1
4πR V0 2
π { π
22 } . (10.5.9)
Reconstruct the sum σ = σ2 + σ1 to get
σ(u; ξ0) = 1
4πR V0 2
π
{ π
22 + (chξ0 - cosu)3/2 Σn=0∞ εn P'n-1/2 (chξ0) Qn-1/2 (chξ0)
Pn-1/2 (chξ0) cos(nu) } .
Next, extract a factor π/2 from {...} and replace (sh ξ0/a) = 1/R from (1.2.7) to get,
σ(u; ξ0) = V0
4πR [ 1
2 + 2
π (chξ0 - cosu)3/2 Σn=0∞ εn P'n-1/2 (chξ0) Qn-1/2 (chξ0)
Pn-1/2 (chξ0) cos(nu) ] .
( 1 0 . 5 . 1 0 )
This is our final result for the surface charge density on a torus having label ξ0 and tube radius R held at
potential V 0. We have scanned all our known sources, but ca nnot find verification of this result, so we
shall be extra attentive in doing "checks". First Check: The thin-wire torus limit
In the thin wire limit the parameter ξ0 gets large as shown in Fig (1.1.3). The distance ρ c to the tube
center line approaches a, and the tube radius R approaches 0. Since ch ξ0 gets large, we invoke the large-x
limits of the P and Q functions from Appendix H.
Consider first the terms in the sum in (10.5.10) which have n > 0. With x = chξ 0, one finds
P'
n-1/2 (x) → xn-3/2 x →∞ (H.6.3)
Qn-1/2 (x)
Pn-1/2 (x) → x-2n (H.6.7)
(chξ0 - cosu)3/2 → x3/2 .
Therefore, the n
th sum term goes as
80 x3/2 xn-3/2 x-2n = x-n . (10.5.11)
For large x, these terms all decay away, relative to the constant term 1/2 appearing in (10.5.10).
The n = 0 term has different behavior. Again from Appendix H,
P'
-1/2(x) → 2
π x-3/2 [ 1 - (1/2)ln(8x)] x →∞ (H.6.16)
Q-1/2(x)
P-1/2(x) → = (π2/ 2 ) 1 / l n ( 8 x ) (H.6.15)
(chξ0 - cosu)3/2 → x3/2 .
For large x = ch ξ0 the n = 0 term in (10.5.1) is then
2
π * x3/2 * 1 * 2
π x-3/2 [ 1 - (1/2)ln(8x)] * ( π2/2) 1/ln(8x)
= [ 1 - (1/2)ln(8x)] (1/ln(8x)) = 1/ln(8x) - 1/2 (10.5.12) This -1/2 cancels the +1/2 appearing in (10.5.10) and we end up with
σ(u; ξ
0) ≈ V0
4πR 1
ln(8x) . (10.5.13)
We keep in mind that R → 0 in our limit, but we maintain R for a while longer. Meanwhile,
x = ch ξ0 ≈ shξ0 = a/R // (1.2.7)
so
ln(8x) = ln(8a/R) = ln(a) + ln(8/R) ≈ ln(8/R) as R → 0
Then we find
σ(u; ξ
0) ≈ V0
4πR 1
ln(8/R) . (10.5.14)
This charge density is uniform in u, as one would expect since a piece of the thin ring thinks it is a piece
of straight wire with uniform σ. The curvature radius ρc = a is huge compared to the wire radius R. Thus,
to find the total charge on the torus, we multiply σ by the area of a torus,
A= 4π2Rρc // torus area
to get
81 Q = σA = V0
4πR 1
ln(8/R) 4π2Rρc = V0 πρc 1
ln(8/R) = CV0
Setting ρc = 1 as in Section 10.4 below, one gets
C = π
ln(8/R) ( 1 0 . 5 . 1 5 )
which agrees with (10.4.12) as the capacitance of the to rus in the thin-wire limit. We therefore regard our
σ result (10.5.10) as being correct in the thin-wire limit.
Second Check: Integrating the surface charge
This task is anything but simple and is carried out in Appendix K with support from other Appendices.
The integration of course is performed directly in toroidal coordinates. We outline the main steps here.
1. Start with the charge density (10.5.10),
σ(u; ξ
0) = V0
4πR [ 1
2 + 2
π (chξ0 - cos u)3/2 Σn=0∞ εn P'n-1/2 (chξ0) Qn-1/2 (chξ0)
Pn-1/2 (chξ0) cos(nu ) ] .
(K.2.1)
2. Integrate over the toroidal su rface to get the total charge Q,
Q = V0
2R a2 shξ0 { π (chξ0)(1/sh3ξ0) + 4
π Σn=0∞ εn P'n-1/2 (chξ0) [Qn-1/2 (chξ0)]2
Pn-1/2 (chξ0) } . (K.2.6)
3. Use the Wronskian (H.8.2), 1/(1-z2) = Pν(z) Q'ν(z) - P' ν(z) Qν(z), to rewrite the above sum as
Σn=0∞ εn P'n-1/2 (chξ0) [Qn-1/2 (chξ0)]2
Pn-1/2 (chξ0) = (1/sh ξ0)2 Σn=0∞ εn Qn-1/2 (chξ0)
Pn-1/2 (chξ0) (K.2.9)
+ Σn=0∞ εn Qn-1/2 (chξ0) Q'n-1/2 (chξ0) . (K.2.10)
4. Evaluate the second sum using these two facts, where the second is the derivative of the first,
Σ
n=0∞ εn [Qn-1/2 (z)]2 = (π2/2)1
z2-1 (J.4.1)
Σn=0∞ εn Qn-1/2 (z) Q'n-1/2 (z) = -(π2/4) z (z2-1)-3/2 . (J.4.2)
The QQ' sum term in item 3 exactly cancels the fi rst term in item 2 above, giving this result
Q = V 0 2a
π Σn=0∞ εn Qn-1/2 (chξ0)
Pn-1/2 (chξ0) (10.5.16)
82
which implies that the torus has capacitance
C = 2a
π Σn=0∞ εn Qn-1/2 (chξ0)
Pn-1/2 (chξ0) . (10.5.17)
This agrees with the result (10.4.3) which was found completely independently by taking the far-away
limit of the potential (10.1.11).
10.6 Using Maple to plot the torus surface charge density
We wish the
plot the surface charge not against toro idal coordinate u, but against the "circle angle" θ
illustrated in this drawing of a torus cross section,
(10.6.1)
To do this, we write an expression for the total charge dQ in a patch of area dA on the torus,
dQ = σ dA = σ (hudu)(hφdφ) = σ huhφdudφ = σ huhφ du
dθ dθdφ . (10.6.2)
In Bipolar we derive a set of relations between θ and (ξ,u) which we quote here,
Relations between θ and (ξ,u) du
dθ = shξ
chξ + cosθ (7.10)'
sinθ = |shξ| sinu
chξ - cosu sinu = |shξ| sinθ
chξ + cosθ ch ξ - cosu = sh2ξ
chξ + cosθ
cosθ = chξ cosu -1
chξ-cosu cosu = chξ cosθ+1
chξ + cosθ 1
chξ - cosu = chξ + cosθ
sh2ξ
tanθ = |shξ| sinu
chξ cosu - 1 tanu = |shξ| sinθ
chξcosθ+1 h = a
chξ - cosu = a chξ + cosθ
sh2ξ
( 1 0 . 6 . 3 )
Then, from (1.2.17) and the bottom right equation in the above box,
83 huhφ = shξ hu2 = shξ h2 = shξ a2 (chξ+cosθ)2/sh4ξ = a2 (chξ+cosθ)2/sh3ξ . (10.6.4)
Using du
dθ = shξ
chξ + cosθ also from the above box we get, now setting ξ = ξ0 (torus label),
dQ
θ = σ huhφ du
dθ dθdφ = σ a2 (chξ0+cosθ)2/sh3ξ0 * shξ0 / (chξ0+cosθ) * dθdφ
= σ a2 (chξ0+cosθ)/sh2ξ0 * dθdφ
= σ R2 (chξ0+cosθ) dθdφ . // using R = a/sh ξ0 from box (1.2.17) (10.6.5)
The quantity we want to plot is then
"dQ
θ" ≡ dQθ/(dθdφ) = σ(u(θ); ξ0) R2 (chξ0+cosθ) . (10.6.6)
Letting N being the number of terms to sum, the charge density σ from (10.5.10) is
σ(N) = V0
4πR [ 1
2 + 2
π (chξ0 - cosu)3/2 Σn=0N εn P'n-1/2 (chξ0) Qn-1/2 (chξ0)
Pn-1/2 (chξ0) cos(nu) ] .
= V0
4πR [ 1
2 + 2
π (chξ0 - cosu)3/2 * sum1(N) ]
where
s u m 1 ( N ) = Σn=0N εn P'n-1/2 (chξ0) Qn-1/2 (chξ0)
Pn-1/2 (chξ0) cos(nu) . (10.6.7)
Expressions for dQ θ, σ = sigma and sum1 are duly entered,
( 1 0 . 6 . 8 )
84 It is easy to replace the (ch ξ0 - cosu)3/2 factor in σ by a function of u and θ using the box (10.6.3), but it
is not easy to write cos(nu) as a simple function of θ. We shall avoid this issue by having Maple compute
u from θ as needed, again using expressions in the above box,
(10.6.9)
Much of the other Maple code has been displayed earlier: the P and Q functions in (7.4.4), arctan2Pi in (9.2) and eps in (10.3.2). The P' function is computed as follows,
P'
ν(chξ) = dPν(chξ)
d(chξ) = dPν(chξ)
(shξ)dξ = (1/shξ) ∂ξ Pν(chξ) = (1/sh ξ) ∂ξ P(ν,ξ) ≡ dP(ν,ξ)
P(ν,ξ) ≡ Pν(chξ) = (chξ)ν F(-ν /2, 1/2-ν/2; 1; th2ξ) (7.4.1)
∂
zF(a,b;c;z) = (ab/c)F(a+1,b+1;c+1;z) (10.6.10)
Maple is happy to compute dP( ν,ξ) = P'
ν(chξ) with a little prodding,
( 1 0 . 6 . 1 1 )
Here the "unapply" command causes the te mp1 expression to be a function dP( ν,ξ) of ν and ξ .
85 Finally, we make plots of "dQ θ" versus θ for a selection of ξ0 values. These plots are normalized so
dQθ(0) = 1, which is a location on the outer equator of the torus.
( 1 0 . 6 . 1 2 )
The main idea in the dQ( θ) sum is that near θ = 0 (u=0) the terms are add itive since cos(nu) ~ 1, whereas
in the "backward direction" especially near θ = π (u = π) there is term interference from cos(nu) ~ (-1)n,
causing the charge to concentrate on the outer toroidal surface just as one would expect. This situation is
akin to the forward peak in a scattering amplitude in partial wave analysis.
For ξ0 = 8 the torus is close to the thin-wire limit, so dQ is practically uniform in θ as indicated by the top
red curve above. Once again, the thin wire thinks it is an isolated infinite straight wire which naturally has
uniform σ. As the tori get fatter, the dQ distribution becomes more peaked at θ = 0. In all cases the peak
of dQ occurs on the outside equator θ = 0, as one would expect. For ξ0 < 0.1 the plot cannot be
distinguished from the ξ0 = 0.1 plot, though more terms must be added in the sum. Thus one can regard
the bottom red curve above as the "f at toroid limit" and the top curve as the "thin toroid limit".
The torus charge density is finite and smooth everywhere, unlike the bowl σ, because a torus has no sharp
edges. In general, the torus σ drops monotonically from its maximum value on the outer equator to some
finite value on the inner equator. The charge de nsity on the inside surface of the toroid is 0.
86 Appendix A. Maple code text for plotting the bowl and torus potentials
The following code can be
copied from this PDF doc ument and pasted into the Maple V Release 5 (5.00)
"classic" white worksheet window (beware PDF page bou ndaries). It then runs when you hit the enter key
and plots should appear (we have verified this). See author's Maple User's Guid e for how to break code
into separate execution groups. For more recent versions of Maple, one will likely need to "migrate" the code from our classic .mws file format to the standard .mw format. For example, Maple 2015 contains an "assistant" to do this, as indicated in the Maple 2015 User Manual:
Code to Plot Bowl Potential
restart;
# Construct the charged bowl potential in toroidal coordinates using (8.8b) A := sqrt(cosh(xi)-cos(u)): B := sqrt(2)*cos(u/2): C := sqrt(cosh(xi)-cos(2*u0-u)): E := sqrt(2)*cos(u0-u/2): V := (V0/Pi)*(Pi-arccot(B/A)+(A/C)*arccot(E/C)); V0 := 1: a := 1: u0 := evalf(Pi/4);
# Routine arctan2Pi # Given (x,y) somewhere on a circle, return the angle in (0,2Pi) measured CCW from the # axis. Warning: returned result may include unevaluated multiples of Pi arctan2Pi := proc(x,y) local q; if type(x,numeric) and type(y,numeric) then if x = 0 and y = 0 then print("arctan2Pi(0,0) error." ); RETURN(0) fi; if x = 0 and y > 0 then RETURN(Pi/2) fi; if x = 0 and y < 0 then RETURN(3*Pi/2) fi; if x > 0 and y = 0 then RETURN(0) fi;
if x < 0 and y = 0 then RETURN(Pi) fi;
if x > 0 and y > 0 then q := 0 fi; if x < 0 and y > 0 then q := Pi fi; if x < 0 and y < 0 then q := Pi fi; if x > 0 and y < 0 then q := 2*Pi fi; RETURN(arctan(y/x)+q); else 'arctan2Pi(x,y)'; fi; end: # Routine getu
# Given a,u0,rho,z, compute toroidal bowl-label parameter u in range (u0,u0+2Pi)
getu := proc(rho,z) global a,u0; local u; if type(rho,numeric) and type(z,numeric) then u := arctan2Pi(rho^2+z^2-a^2,2*a*z);
87 if u < u0 then u := u + evalf(2*Pi) fi; # get in range
RETURN(u); else 'getu(rho,z)'; fi; end:
# Plot the potential of the charged bowl(an azimuthal slice) xi := arctanh(2*a*abs(rho)/(a^2+rho^2+z^2)): u := getu(rho,z): plot3d(V, rho = -2..2, z = -2..3,numpoints=2000,axes=BOXED, view=0..1);
Code to Plot Torus Potential
restart; #For P, we select Bateman (24) which says this P := (nu,xi) -> evalf(cosh(xi)^nu*hypergeom([-nu/2,1/2-nu/2],[1],tanh(xi)^2));
#Show this agrees with Maple internal P function at some point
evalf(P(3,0.5)); evalf(LegendreP(3,cosh(0.5))); #For Q, we select Bateman (45) which says this Q := (nu,xi) -> evalf(sqrt(Pi)*(GAMMA(1+nu)/GAMMA(3/2+nu))*exp(-(1+nu)*xi)*hypergeom([1/2,1+nu],[3/2+nu],exp(-2*xi))); #Show this agrees with Maple internal Q function at some point evalf(Q(1,1)); evalf(LegendreQ(1,cosh(1)));
#Routine arctan2Pi
#Given (x,y) somewhere on a circle, return the angle in (0,2Pi) measured CCW from the x axis. Warning: returned result may include unevaluated multiples of Pi arctan2Pi := proc(x,y) local q; if type(x,numeric) and type(y,numeric) then if x = 0 and y = 0 then print("arctan2Pi(0,0) error." ); RETURN(0) fi; if x = 0 and y > 0 then RETURN(Pi/2) fi; if x = 0 and y < 0 then RETURN(3*Pi/2) fi; if x > 0 and y = 0 then RETURN(0) fi; if x < 0 and y = 0 then RETURN(Pi) fi; if x > 0 and y > 0 then q := 0 fi;
if x < 0 and y > 0 then q := Pi fi;
if x < 0 and y < 0 then q := Pi fi; if x > 0 and y < 0 then q := 2*Pi fi; RETURN(arctan(y/x)+q); else 'arctan2Pi(x,y)'; fi; end: #Routine eps eps := proc(n) if type(n,numeric) then if n=0 then RETURN(1) else RETURN(2) fi;
else 'eps(n)'; fi end:
#Routine getxi getxi := proc(rho,z)
88 global a,xi0; local xi;
if type(rho,numeric) and type(z,numeric) then xi := arctanh(2*a*abs(rho)/(a^2+rho^2+z^2)); if xi > xi0 then xi := xi0 fi; # pin at torus if xi < -xi0 then xi := -xi0 fi; # pin at torus RETURN(xi);
else
'getxi(rho,z)'; fi; end: #Plot the potential of the torus using (10.1.11) V := (V0*sqrt(2)/Pi)*sqrt(cosh(xi)-cos(u))*sum(term(n),n=0..N); term := (n) -> eps(n)*(Q(n-1/2,xi0)/P(n-1/2,xi0))*P(n-1/2,xi)*cos(n*u); V0 := 10: a := 1: xi0 := 1.0: N := 10: u:= arctan2Pi(rho^2+z^2-a^2,2*a*z); xi := getxi(rho,z); plot3d(Re(V),rho = -2.3..2.3, z = -1.1..1.1, grid = [50,50], axes = boxed, scaling =
constrained);
89 Appendix B : Converting expressions from toroidal to cylindrical coordinates
B.1 The conversions
At first this sounds li
ke a task that requires no effort. After all, we know from (1.2.2) that
x = a cos φ shξ/(chξ - cosu) ρ = a shξ/(chξ - cosu) = x2+y2
y = a sin φ shξ/(chξ - cosu) z/ρ = sinu/sh ξ
z = a sinu/(ch ξ - cosu) 0 ≤ ξ ≤ ∞ , 0 ≤ u ≤ 4π . (1.2.2) (B.1.1)
The issue is how to convert expressions like ch ξ - cosu to cylindrical coordinates, and there are a few
subtleties involved. The following th ree positive quantities will be useful:
A ≡ z2 + (ρ+a)2 B ≡ z2 + (ρ-a)2 Q ≡ 1
AB = 1
z2 + (ρ+a)2 z2 + (ρ-a)2 . (B.1.2)
A and B are the distances to the focal points as shown in Bipolar Fig (6.1), modified here,
(B.1.3)
90 For the ξ coordinate, we invoke Maple, then translate below what it says:
( B . 1 . 4 )
The equations above are
thξ = 2aρ/(a2+ρ2+z2) // as appears in (1.2.5)
ch2ξ = (a2+ρ2+z2)2/(A2B2) = [(a2+ρ2+z2)Q]2
sh2ξ = 4a2ρ2/ (A2B2) = [2aρQ]2 . (B.1.5)
Since chξ and shξ are always positive (range of ξ is (0,∞)) one has,
chξ = (a2+ρ2+z2)Q
shξ = 2aρQ . ( B . 1 . 6 )
Notice that
e
ξ = chξ + shξ = (a2+ρ2+z2)Q + 2aρQ = [(a+ρ)2 + z2]Q = [A2]/(AB) = A/B
and therefore
ξ = ln(A/B) = ln [ z2 + (ρ+a)2
z2 + (ρ-a)2 ] . (B.1.7)
as shown in Fig (B.1.3).
91 We now repeat the above for coordinate u :
( B . 1 . 8 )
The equations above are tanu = 2az/( ρ
2+z2- a2)
cos2u = [ (ρ2+z2- a2)/AB ]2 = [ (ρ2+z2- a2)Q ]2
sin
2u = [ 2az/AB ]2 = [ 2azQ ]2 . (B.1.9)
Since u has full range, we don't immediately know the signs to use, so we write for the moment,
cosu = ± (ρ
2+z2- a2)Q
s i n u = ± 2 a z Q .
It turns out that both signs are determined and are not free. As discussed below (9.1) and as shown in
(9.4) the meaning of the tan
-1u operation is really this
u = arctan2Pi(X,Y) = arctan2Pi(run,rise) = arctan2Pi( ρ
2+z2-a2,2az) (B.1.10)
where the arctan2Pi function returns an angle u in the full range (0,2 π) with full knowledge of the
quadrant of the argument pair. In particular, we can make this table showing the signs of cosu and sinu that arise in the four regions (quadrants) of the arguments X= ρ
2+z2-a2and Y=2az :
c o s u
sinu
ρ2+z2-a2 > 0 2az > 0 1Q + +
ρ2+z2-a2 < 0 2az > 0 2Q - +
ρ2+z2-a2 < 0 2az < 0 3Q - -
ρ2+z2-a2 > 0 2az < 0 4Q + - (B.1.11)
The arctan2Pi function is calibrated so that a point at z = +ε and large ρ will have u = 0, consistent with
Fig (1.1.2) (a). Notice from the table that
92 sign(cosu) = sign(ρ2+z2-a2)
sign(sinu) = sign(z) . (B.1.12)
This last result is consistent with z/ ρ = sinu/sh ξ in (B.1.1). Therefore, the ± signs shown above are both +
and we have
cosu = (ρ
2+z2- a2)Q
s i n u = 2 a z Q . ( B . 1 . 1 3 )
The ever-popular factor ch ξ - cosu is then obtained from (B.1.6) and (B.1.13),
chξ - cosu = (a
2+ρ2+z2)Q - (ρ2+z2- a2)Q = 2a2Q . (B.1.14)
Half-Angle Expressions
Here are some half-"angle" results for ξ ,
2ch
2(ξ/2) = chξ + 1 = (a2+ρ2+z2)Q + 1
2sh2(ξ/2) = chξ - 1 = (a2+ρ2+z2)Q - 1
2 ch(ξ/2) = (a2+ρ2+z2)Q + 1
2 sh(ξ/2) = (a2+ρ2+z2) Q - 1 , ( B . 1 . 1 5 )
and here are the corresponding results for u,
2cos
2(u/2) = 1+cosu = 1 + ( ρ2+z2- a2)Q
2sin2(u/2) = 1-cosu = 1 - ( ρ2+z2- a2)Q .
Taking square roots,
2 cos(u/2) = σc 1 + (ρ2+z2- a2)Q
2 sin(u/2) = σs 1 - (ρ2+z2- a2) Q ( B . 1 . 1 6 )
The signs σc and σs are determined from these plots of the two functions (or the table) :
(B.1.17)
93
We may now summarize the above expression conversions:
thξ = 2aρ/(a2+ρ2+z2) A ≡ z2 + (ρ+a)2 B ≡ z2 + (ρ-a)2 (B.1.18)
chξ = (a2+ρ2+z2)Q Q ≡ 1
AB = 1
z2 + (ρ+a)2 z2 + (ρ-a)2
shξ = 2aρQ ρ = x2+y2 to convert to Cartesian coordinates
tanu = 2az/( ρ2+z2- a2) // principle branch; u = arctan2Pi( ρ2+z2-a2,2az) gives u in (0,2 π)
cosu = (ρ2+z2- a2)Q
sinu = 2azQ
chξ - cosu = 2a2Q ξ = ln(A/B)
2 ch(ξ/2) = (a2+ρ2+z2)Q + 1 Converting expressions from
2 sh(ξ/2) = (a2+ρ2+z2)Q - 1 toroidal to cylindrical coordinates.
2 cos(u/2) = σc 1 + (ρ2+z2- a2)Q
2 sin(u/2) = σs 1 - (ρ2+z2- a2)Q
B.2 Application: The Disk Potential
The flat disk
potential was found in (2.5.4) to be
Vdisk(ξ,u) = (2V 0/π) cot-1[-2 cos(u/2)
chξ-cosu ] // ξ > 0, u0 = π, π ≤ u ≤3π . (B.2.1)
Based on the angle range, we set σ c = -1 using table (B.1.17). Notice that the bipolar parameter a in the
disk limit u = π is equal to the disk radius.
To convert (B.2.1) to cylindrical coordi nates, we look up the pieces in box (B.1.18) above,
-
2 cos(u/2)
chξ-cosu = -σc1 + (ρ2+z2- a2)Q
2a2Q = 1 + (ρ2+z2- a2)Q
2a2Q
= 2Q-1 + 2(ρ2+z2-a2)
4a2 = 2AB + 2(ρ2+z2-a2)
2a . (B.2.2)
94 Now compute,
A2+B2 = z2+(ρ+a)2 + z2+(ρ-a)2 = 2(ρ2+z2+a2) = 2(ρ2+z2-a2) + 4a2
⇒ 2(ρ2+z2-a2) = A2+B2 - 4a2 . ( B . 2 . 3 )
Then
θ ≡ cot-1[-2 cos(u/2)
chξ-cosu ] = cot-1 ( 2AB + A2+B2 - 4a2
2a ) = cot-1 ( (A+B)2 - 4a2
2a ) . (B.2.4)
Now we conjure up a right triangle whose angle θ has the cotangent shown,
( B . 2 . 5 )
Therefore
r2 = [(A+B)2 - 4a2] + [4a2] = (A+B)2 ⇒ r = A+B (B.2.6)
and so
sinθ = 2a
r = 2a
A+B
θ = cot-1[-2 cos(u/2)
chξ-cosu ] = sin-1( 2a
A+B ) . (B.2.7)
The disk potential has then been converted to cylindrical coordinates :
V
disk(ξ,u) = (2V 0/π) cot-1[-2 cos(u/2)
chξ-cosu ]
= (2V 0/π) sin-1( 2a
A+B )
= (2V
0/π) sin-1( 2a
z2+ (ρ+a)2 +z2+ (ρ-a)2 ) . // a = disk radius (B.2.8)
This result appears in green Jackson p 92 (3.1.78). Th e Jackson equation should have q/a in place of q,
and then q/a = (2V/ π) by an earlier equation on the same page.
95 General Case
It would be possible to convert the full bowl potential to cylindrical coordinates. Recall (2.4.14a) ,
V(ξ,u) = (V
0/π) { cot-1[- 2 cos(u/2)
chξ-cosu ] + chξ - cosu
chξ-cos(2u0- u) cot-1[2 cos(u0-u/2)
chξ-cos(2u0- u) ] } (B.2.9)
ξ > 0 u 0 ≤ u ≤ u0 + 2π
We have already evaluated the first term above
cot-1[- 2 cos(u/2)
chξ-cosu ] = - σc sin-1( 2a
A+B ) . ( B . 2 . 1 0 )
One would then need various unpleasant computed quantities:
cos(u
0-u/2) = cosu 0cos(u/2) + sinu 0sin(u/2)
= [ c o s u 0σc1 + (ρ2+z2- a2)Q + sinu 0σs1 - (ρ2+z2- a2)Q ]/ 2
cos(2u 0 - u) = cos(2u 0) cosu +sin(2u 0) sinu
= cos(2u
0)(ρ2+z2- a2)Q +sin(2u 0) 2azQ
= [ c o s ( 2 u
0)(ρ2+z2- a2) +sin(2u 0) 2az]Q
chξ - cos(2u
0 - u) = 2a2Q - [cos(2u 0)(ρ2+z2- a2) + sin(2u 0) 2az]Q
= [ 2 a
2 - cos(2u 0)(ρ2+z2- a2) - sin(2u 0) 2az] Q (B.2.11)
It does not seem useful to pursue this path, although on e could perhaps arrive at a reasonably stated result.
In any event, the reader will appreciate that, altho ugh the bowl potential looks complicated in toroidal
coordinates ξ,u, it is very much more complicated in cylindrical coordinates ρ,z. Results quoted at the end
of Appendix D concerning a disk and iris provide a good example of what "more complicated" looks like.
96 Appendix C: Kelvin's approach to the charged bowl problem
Lord Kelvin (William Thomson, 1824-
1907) published his ow n Collected Works on "electrostatics and
mathematically allied subjects" in 1872 and again in 1884, and the latter is available on the web as a
Microsoft digitized document. The Contents gives section numbers, not page numbers. There are 42
Articles with 673 sections filling some 600 pages, and the section numbers just increment through all the
collected papers.
In the first collected paper (page 1, the ellipso id paper, "On the Uniform Motion of Heat...", 14p,
1842) Kelvin derives the potential of and charge di stribution on a charged conduc ting ellipsoid and gets
the correct result (2.1.2) above. He bases his work on a certain geometric distance p which turns out to be
proportional to σ on the ellipsoid: p = 1/ x2/a4 + y2/b4+ z2/c4 and σ = Qp/(4πabc) where a,b,c are the
semimajor axes and Q is the total charge on the ellip soid (see McDonald). His method is very unusual,
there is no formal ellipsoidal coordinate system here, but at age 18 he did the whole thing by brute force. He wanders around between the heat, gravitational and electrostatic manifestations of potential theory,
but is mostly concerned with heat. This brings us then to his bowl paper (Article XV, page 178, sections 231-248, "Determination of the distribution...", 14p, 1869). He opens by quoting the above σ = Qp/(4πabc) formula (he refers to σ by the
symbol ρ) and then specializes it first to an elliptical plate then to a circular disk, noting the disk
capacitance C = 2a/ π. He finds that σ
disk(ρ) = [Q/(4πa)] (1/ a2-ρ2 ) on each side, where ρ is our modern-
day cylindrical coordinate and a the disk radius (i n agreement with half our (4.3.2) with V = Q/C =
Qπ/2a). This is the key result upon which his bowl theo ry is built. Kelvin notes retrospectively that
George Green obtained this σdisk(ρ) result in 1832.
Kelvin then applies the theory of inversion to relate the disk to the bowl. Since this is crucial to his
approach, we pause here for a quick review of this subject.
Inversion Theory in a Nutshell.
Consider a set of point charges q i at positions ri = (ri,θi,φi) in spherical
coordinates relative to some origin O. Assume the resulting potential is φ(r,θ,φ). Call this Problem P.
Put an imaginary sphere of radius a around origin O. For each point r = (r,θ,φ) define an "image
point" r' = (r',θ',φ') = (a2/r,θ,φ). Points r and r' lie on opposite sides of the sphere of radius a along the
same ray. It turns out that this 3D mapping r → r' maps spheres into spheres, somewhat analogous to the
fact that linear fractional transformations map circle s into circles in the 2D conformal mapping world.
The mapping r → r' could map a sphere into a plane (a sphere of infinite radius).
Now consider Problem P' where all the charges of Problem P are moved to their image points ri'
relative to this imaginary sphere of radius a, and are scaled as well to be q i' = qi (a/ri). The claim is that
the potential φ' for Problem P' is related to the potential φ for Problem P in this way,
φ'(r,θ,φ) = (a/r) φ(a
2/r,θ,φ) . relation between potentials in Problems P and P' (C.1)
More generally, allowing for continuous charge distributions, one finds that
q' = (a/r) q point charges
σ'(r,θ,φ) = (a/r)
3 σ(a2/r,θ,φ) surface charges
ρ'(r,θ,φ) = (a/r)5 ρ(a2/r,θ,φ) volume charges (C.2)
For more detail on this subject, see green Jackson 2.6 (this topic was dropped in Jackson's later editions).
97
Deviating slightly from Kelvin's order of presenta tion, we tack sideways and ponder the inversion
relationship between a charged disk with an added constant potential offset, and a grounded bowl in the
presence of a certain point charge. Using the inversio n theory, one first finds a inversion mapping using
an inversion sphere of radius a wh ich maps the bowl sphere into a pl ane. This same mapping then maps
the bowl into a disk as shown here (the inversion circ le is not shown, it lies between the bowl and disk),
(C.3)
The bowl and the disk are shown in the same picture, but each inhabits a separate "problem": the disk
problem (Problem P) exists in disk space, while the bowl problem (Problem P') exists in bowl space. In
the bowl problem, the bowl is assumed to be grounded ( φ' = 0 on the bowl). Suppose the disk is a charged
disk with potential V 0 and charge Q = C diskV0 and potential φdisk(r,θ,φ) relative to the origin on the
left. We can lower the disk potential to 0 by adding a constant potential -V 0 in disk space. From the
theory of inversion described above, this causes a point charge q = -aV 0 to appear at the origin in bowl
space, since φ' = (a/r)φ = (a/r)(-V 0). The new situation is disk space with a potential φ(r) = φdisk(r) - V0
(φ = 0 on the disk) and a Green's Function situation in bowl space, where we now have a point charge and
a grounded bowl ( φ' = 0 on the bowl). One can th en apply the (C.1) result that φ'(r) = (a/r) φ (r') to deduce
the potential φ' for the complicated bowl Green's function pr oblem from the relatively simple disk space
potential φ(r') = φdisk(r') - V0. Notice that the equation φ'(r) = (a/r) φ(r') is compatible with both the
bowl and disk being at zero potential.
By shifting the charged disk off the symmetry axis as shown in Fig (C.3), Kelvin can cause the point
charge to appear at any desired point on the bowl' s cap. Since Kelvin knows the disk's charge density
σdisk(ρ) stated above, he knows from (C.2) the σ' on the bowl. He does not mention the disk's potential,
but that maps into the bowl potential by (C.1). So in the bowl space, we have the grounded bowl with a
point charge on the cap, and we know σ' on the bowl. Since σdisk is the same on both sides of the disk, σ'
is the same on both sides of the bowl! Basically, the bowl potential is the Green's Function for the bowl
with a restricted placement of the Green's point charge. Kelvin then does two superpositions. He first superposes an infinite number these Green's Function situations to obtain a target uniform
charge density - σ
0 on the bowl's cap. In doing this the point charge has to be properly scaled for each
point in the integration as it is made to wa nder over the cap region. The corresponding bowl σ 's are also
being superposed in this process. One then ends up with the final σ on the bowl (let's call it σ2,same on
both surfaces) as a superposition integral which can be ev aluated into trig and inverse trig functions. One
can interpret this σ2 as the charge induced on each surface of a grounded bowl due to the presence of
uniform -σ 0 on the cap. This induced charge on the bowl is brought in from infinity on the traditional
"infinitesimally thin wire" grounding the bow l to The Great Metal Sphere At Infinity.
This cap of charge density - σ0 is what we call "sticky charge". It is an infinitely thin layer of charge
that is magically glued in place so it cannot move, ju st as the point charge in a Green's function problem
is glued to its location and cannot move.
98 In a second superposition, Kelvin superposes Problem A and Problem B to get Problem C:
(C.4)
Problem A is the grounded conducting black bowl of radius R in the presence of a red cap of uniform
sticky charge -σ 0 as just described. The bowl is at V = 0 and has σ2 on each surface.
Problem B is the same conducting bowl carefully prepared to have a uniform free charge density + σ0
on its outer surface along with a cap of sticky charge also of + σ0. Since we have then a full sphere of
uniform σ0, the potential on and inside the entire bowl sphere is V 0 = Q/R = ( σ04πR2)/R = 4πRσ0 =
constant. By the same argument used for a full conducting sphere, this bowl must have σ = 0 on its inner
surface. One might prepare this Problem B by firs t wrapping a neutral conducting bowl's sphere with a
full shell of sticky σ0. One then unglues the sticky charge covering just the bowl part of the sphere. The
released charges don't move because there is no tangential E field to make them move.
Each of these two problems represents a valid so lution to the Laplace equation in the presence of the
same conductor. Kelvin forms a third solution by su perposing these two problems as Problem C. In this
superposed Problem C one has: (1) V = 0 + V 0 = 4πRσ0 on the bowl ; (2) σin ≡ σ2 + 0 = σ2 on the bowl's
inner surface; (3) σ out ≡ σ2 + σ0 on the bowl's outer surface; (4) exact cancellation of the sticky charge on
the cap. Notice that σ out – σin = σ0 = V0/(4πR) = a constant.
But Problem C is recognized as exactly our "c harged bowl problem" for a bowl with potential V 0,
and we have just shown that σout – σin = σ0 = V/(4πR) = constant, which is the famous result. And of
course we know σ in = σ2 which came with Problem A. The underlyi ng fact is that a Laplace solution is
unique, so if you find something that works, that is the answer. Kelvin's result for σin = σ2 is stated in our
(4.2.4) and σout is then found from (4.1.21).
Kelvin, qua engineer, uses his hard-won formulas to compute σin and σout at several locations on
spherical bowls of various shapes. He does this to 5 decimal places and shows the results in a full page
graphic, p 186. Had he stopped he re, he would have had a great paper, but he had more to say.
Kelvin now knows all about "the charged bowl" problem . Just as he started with a "charged disk" and
obtained by inversion the restricted Green's function for a bowl, he now starts with the "charged bowl"
and inverts it into either another bowl or a disk, and this time the "inversion-generated point charge at the
99 origin" can be made to appear anywhere relative to that bowl or disk. Here are his drawings for these two
cases (p 187) with our notations added in red (Kelvin photo wiki),
( C . 5 ) The inversion sphere is shown dashed, and the point char ge is at the inversion origin Q. Thus Kelvin has
obtained (in theory) the fully general Green's Function for a bowl or a disk. His paper only discusses the
charge densities, but the method applies as well to the potential. One can start with the known disk
potential (2.5.5),
V
disk(ξ,u) = (2V 0/π) sin-1 [2a
(ρ-a)2+z2 + (ρ+a)2+z2 ] (2V 0/π) = (Q/a) (C.6)
and process it through all of Kelvin's steps above.
100 Appendix D: Smythe's approach to t he charged bowl problem
In the Kelvin discussion above we saw an inversion of the on-cap bowl Green's Function problem to an off-axis charged disk problem, Fig (C.3). If the bowl and its on-cap point charge are rotated together so the bowl surface touches the inversion origin, the same bowl Green's Function problem (with the same
inversion origin and inversion sphe re) can be inverted into an iris Green's Function problem with the
point charge in the hole of the iris ("iris" bei ng an infinite grounded conducting plane containing a
circular hole). With the bowl in this position, the bowl 's cap maps into the hole in the iris and a point
charge on the cap maps into a point charge in the hole of the iris:
(D.1)
If one could somehow solve this iris Green's Functi on problem, one could thereby gain full knowledge of
the point-charge-on-cap bowl Green's Function problem, and one could then carry out Kelvin's two superpositions described in Appendix C and thereby obtain the potential and charge densities for the
charged bowl problem. This is the approach taken by Smythe in an intriguing sequence of Problems (38
through 42 starting on page 203 of his 2nd Edition book) which we now summarize. Smythe's Problem Sequence
The starting point is to figure out the Green's Function for a conducting iris with point charge in the hole,
and that can be done by inverting the charged disk us ing the planar inversion arrangement pictured below.
The iris hole has radius B while the disk has radius R < B. The inversion sphere's cross section is the red
circle, and a point charge q
1 is at the center of the red circle marked by the red crosshairs. This location is
distance S from the center of the iris hole. The plane of paper is z' = 0.
(D.2)
101 If the iris space has primed cylindrical coordinates r' = (ρ',θ',z'), the solution to this inversion problem,
starting with the charged-disk potential quoted in (C.6) above, is as follows:
V'( r') = 2q1/(πr1) cos-1 [ 2 B r1 / { m + (B2-S2) [ (ρ'-B)2+z'2] [ (ρ'+B)2+z'2] } ] (D.3)
where
m = ( ρ'2+z'2)(S2-B2) + B2(B2- S2 + 2r12)
r 12 = ρ'2 + S2 - 2Sρ 'cosθ' + z'2 θ' = 0 in direction of the point charge
σ'(r') = - [ q 1 / (2π2r12) ] B2-S2 / ρ'2-B2 // either side of the iris, z'=0 in r 1 (D.4)
These expressions give the potential at all points in space and the charge density induced on the iris, both
caused by the presence of a point charge q 1 located distance S from the center of an iris hole of radius B.
The expression for σ' here is remarkably simple and only appe ars after considerable brute-force Maple
algebra which blindly implements all of Kelvin's many geometry theorems.
In Problem 38 (p 203) Smythe asks his reader to come up with σ' as shown in (D.4) (a=B, b=S, c= ρ').
In Problem 39 he asks the reader to integrate the point charge problem around a circle, to obtain the
charge density induced on the iris by a circular ring of charge (radius S) centered within the hole. That
result is still amazingly simple:
σ
2(ρ) = - (q/2 π2) (B2-S2 / ρ2 - B2 ) / (ρ2-S2) // either side (D.5)
where now we remove the primes, and q is the total charge on the ring in the hole. In Problem 40 we are instructed to invert this grounded iris + ring charge in hole into a grounded
bowl + ring charge on the cap. Fig (D.1) above shows one point on such a ring. Then in Problem 42 we do a weighted integral of this bow l-cum-ring situation to obtain a uniform
charge density on the cap set to the target amount - σ
0. This corresponds to Kelvin's first superposition
described in Appendix C. We then do Kelvin's second superposition and out pop all the charged bowl
results.
Going back now, in Problem 40 Smythe tells his reader to use "Green's Reciprocation Theorem" to find
the potential V( θ) anywhere on the cap of a charged bowl of potential V
0. This theorem concerns the
charges and potentials on a set of conductors in two "situations", one primed and one unprimed, and states
ΣiViQi' = Σi Vi' Qi . ( D . 6 )
In our application there are only two conductors, one is the bowl, the other is an imagined fine wire in the
location of the ring of charge on the bowl's cap. One situation is a charged bowl, the other is the bowl +
ring-on-cap Green's function. One quickly finds the potential on the cap to be,
V(θ) = V
0(2/π)sin-1[cos(α/2)/cos(θ/ 2 ) ] , ( D . 7 )
where θ, α are θ, u0 shown in our Fig (4.2.6).
102 This result has great significance which is brought out in Problem 41 . One now knows that V = V 0
on the bowl, and V = V( θ) on the cap, so one has a fully prescribed Dirichlet problem and one can then
obtain the potential everywhere by assuming an appropr iate Smythian form and inverting to find the
coefficients. For the exterior proble m that atomic superposition is V(r, θ) = Σn=0∞ an r-n-1Pn(cosθ) and
the usual Legendre inversion gives
an = Rn+1 (2n+1)(1/2) ∫0π Pn(cosθ) sinθ V(R,θ,φ) dθ
= V 0 Rn+1 (2n+1)(1/2) *
{ ( 2 / π) ∫0α dθ sinθ Pn(cosθ) sin-1 [ cos(α/2) /cos(θ/2) ] + ∫απ dθ sinθ Pn(cosθ) } (D.8)
where R is the radius of the bowl's sphere. For n = 0 after some work evaluating the first integral one
finds that a 0 = V0(R/2) { [ 1 - cos α - (2/π )α + (2/π)sinα ] + [1 + cos( α) ] } = V 0(R/π) {π - α + sinα }.
For large r, we then have V → a0/r so a0 is in fact the total charge on the bowl as seen from far away, and
we find that the bowl capacitance is C = R (1/ π) {π - α + sinα }, in agreement with (4.4.9) above with α =
u0.
Comparing the Disk and Iris Green's Function solutions
We close this appendix with a remark on a related problem which is the Green's Function problem for a
disk with the point charge in the plane of (and outsi de) the disk. One can solve this disk Green's function
problem using the following inversion picture,
(D.9)
where R' space contains an isolated charged disk, and R space holds our desired Green's function problem for the disk with point charge at the marked origin. Note that the point charge is distance c from the center of the grounded disk. When this problem is solved, one finds a striking resemblance between its solution
and solution (D.3) of the grounded iris with point char ge in the hole. We now compare these two Green's
function problem solutions :
103
the disk problem the iris problem (D.10)
Vdisk(ρ,θ,z) = q1 (2/πr1) cos-1 { 2 R r1 / m + (c2-R2) [ (R-ρ)2 + z2] [ (R+ρ)2 + z2] }
m = ( ρ2+z2)(c2-R2) + R2(R2- c2 + 2r12)
r 12 = ( ρ2 + c2 + z2 - 2cρ cosθ ) ( D . 1 1 )
σdisk(ρ,θ) = - q 1(1/(2π2r12) c2-R2 /R2-ρ2 // each side
r 12 = ( ρ2 + c2 - 2cρ cosθ ) ( D . 1 2 )
total charge induced on the disk = - q
1 (2/π) tan-1(R/ c2-R2 )
Viris(ρ,θ,z) = q1(2/πr1) cos-1 [ ( 2 Rr1 / m + (R2- c2) [ (ρ-R)2+z2] [ (ρ+R)2+z2] ]
m = ( ρ2+z2)(c2-R2) + R2(R2- c2 + 2r12)
r 12 = ( ρ2 + c2 + z2 - 2cρ cosθ ) ( D . 1 3 )
σiris(ρ,θ) = -q1[ 1/(2π2r12)] R2-c2 / ρ2 - R2 // each side
r 12 = ( ρ2 + c2 - 2cρ cosθ ) ( D . 1 4 )
total charge induced on the iris = -q 1 .
It turns out that the two problems are relate d by analytic continuation of the variable ρ from ρ < R for the
disk problem to ρ > R for the iris problem. The path going directly through ρ = R is blocked by a branch
cut of f(ρ) = (ρ-R)2 + z2 = (ρ - a+)( ρ - a-) = ρ - a+ ρ - a– joining the points a ± = R ± iz, so one
must continue around either of the branch points with the result that (ρ-R)2 + z2 → – (R-ρ)2 + z2 ,
and this is the only difference in the disk and iris solution sets shown above. Using the iris Green's Function potential (D.13), one can compute an electric field line by computing
n^ = ∇V and tracking it in space. In this Maple plot, starting points on the iris were selected by a random
number generator, and all field lines dutifully end up at the Green's point charge in the hole:
104
( D . 1 5 )
As expected, each field line launches itself at right angles to the iris surface.
105 Appendix E: Dual equations and their connection to the charged bowl problem
Sneddon
uses the term "dual relations" to cover both dua l integral equations and dual series equations, but
we shall just call them "dual equa tions". We can represent a pair of dual equations this way:
AΨ = f f = (f
1, f2) presented as [A Ψ]1 = f1 on I1
BΨ = g g = (g 1, g2) presented as [B Ψ]2 = g2 on I2 . (E.1)
Here A and B are invertible linear operators (perhaps Hankel Transform integral operators) and the other
symbols stand for functions of a real variable x. Th e range I of the variable x is partitioned into two
regions I
1 and I2 so the full interval of interest is I = I 1∪I2. The notation f = (f 1, f2) means that f(x) =
f1(x) on I 1 and f(x) = f 2(x) on I 2. The dual equation problem is easily stated: given the prescribed
functions f 1 and g2, find the partner functions f 2 and g1 (so that you then know f and g on all of I), and
also find the solution function Ψ(x) on all of I.
Although A and B are invertible operators, neither dual equation can be inverted because information is missing. For example, we could write Ψ = A
-1f, but we don't know f, we only know f 1. The same is
true for the second equation: we can write Ψ = B-1g, but we only know g 2. Only by considering both
equations of the dual pair can a solution be found. In electrostatics problems, one might have a Dirichlet
boundary condition on interval I 1 and a Neumann boundary condition on I 2, so a dual equation can
represent a mixed boundary value problem. Here is the formal trick used to solve the problem. Although A and B are operators, it is useful to think of them as matrices. It is useful further to think of these matrices as consisting of submatrices so
that the row and column spaces are partitioned in the sense of I = I
1∪I2 . Then for example we could say
AΨ = f ↔ ⎝⎛
⎠⎞ A11 A12
A21 A22 ⎝⎛
⎠⎞ Ψ1
Ψ2 = ⎝⎛
⎠⎞ f1
f2
BΨ = g ↔ ⎝⎛
⎠⎞ B11 B12
B21 B22 ⎝⎛
⎠⎞ Ψ1
Ψ2 = ⎝⎛
⎠⎞ g1
g2 . (E.2)
The game is to find invertible lower and upper triangular matrices (really operators) L and U such that
LA = UB. It might seem at first that the existence of such L and U would be unlikely, but an analysis of
matrix decomposition theorems shows that in general such L and U do exist. If one applies L to the first
equation in (E.1) and U to the second equation, and if one defines
S ≡ L A = U B , ( E . 3 )
(which S will also be invertible), then equations (E.1) become SΨ = Lf
SΨ = U g . ( E . 4 )
We now examine the right sides of these two equations in our matrix language,
106 Lf = ⎝⎛
⎠⎞ L11 0
L21 L22 ⎝⎛
⎠⎞ f1
f2 = ⎝⎛
⎠⎞L11f1
L21f1+ L22f2 L = ⎝⎛
⎠⎞ L11 0
L21 L22
Ug = ⎝⎛
⎠⎞ U11 U12
0 U22 ⎝⎛
⎠⎞ g1
g2 = ⎝⎛
⎠⎞U11g1+ U12g2
U22g2 U = ⎝⎛
⎠⎞ U11 U12
0 U22 . (E.5)
Therefore, since both left hand sides are S Ψ, one has
Lf = Ug = ⎝⎛
⎠⎞L11f1
U22g2 . ( E . 6 )
Recall that we know L and U, and we know f1 and g2 since they are the prescribed functions (the driving
terms on the RHS of the dual equations (E.1), often one of these is 0 ). The solution to the problem is then
obtained as follows. First take either S Ψ equation in (E.4) (say the first one) and invert to get
Ψ = S-1 (Lf) ↔ ⎝⎛
⎠⎞ Ψ1
Ψ2 = ⎝⎛
⎠⎞ S-1
11 S-1
12
S-1
21 S-1
22 ⎝⎛
⎠⎞L11f1
U22g2 . (E.7)
Since we know L,U,S,f 1,g2, we have solved the problem for Ψ. To obtain the unknown partner functions
use the original equations:
AΨ = f ↔ ⎝⎛
⎠⎞ A11 A12
A21 A22 ⎝⎛
⎠⎞ Ψ1
Ψ2 = ⎝⎛
⎠⎞ f1
f2 so f 2 = A21Ψ1 + A22Ψ2
BΨ = g ↔ ⎝⎛
⎠⎞ B11 B12
B21 B22 ⎝⎛
⎠⎞ Ψ1
Ψ2 = ⎝⎛
⎠⎞ g1
g2 so g 1 = B11Ψ1 + B12Ψ2 . (E.8)
Hopefully we have clarified the "basic idea" with this little matrix viewpoint summary. In practice there is of course a lot of fine detail. An illustration of the nature of this detail appears in Appendix G below.
It might be noted that Sneddon also considers Triple Equations and the above analysis then involves
3x3 matrices since the variable range is partitioned into I = I
1∪I2∪I3. An example of such a problem is
the "charged barrel problem" where barrel means a spherical shell with two polar caps removed.
As examples of dual equations, we take a quick look at two famous problems.
The Beltrami disk problem . (Beltrami's 1881 work is reviewed by Sneddon.) An appropriate Smythian
form for the charged disk potential can be constructed from cylindrical atoms:
V(ρ,z) = ∫0 ∞ e-k|z| J0(kρ) [k-1 a(k) ] dk . (E.9)
The prescribed potential on the disk is f 1(ρ), and the prescribed charge density is σ ~ ∂zV = 0 outside the
disk in the z=0 plane. Again, this is a "mixed boundary value problem". The dual equations are then
107 ∫0 ∞ k-1J0(kρ)a(k)dk = f 1(ρ) ρ<1 [A Ψ]1 = f1
∫0 ∞ J0(kρ)a(k)dk = 0 ρ>1 [B Ψ]2 = g2 = 0 . (E.10)
Here Ψ(k) = a(k), the function to be solved for. A is an integral operator with kernel K( ρ,k) = k-1J0(kρ)
while B has kernel J 0(kρ). The matrix sense of A is A ρ,k = K(ρ,k) where both indices of A are continuous
real numbers, and similarly for B. Both A and B ca n be regarded as modified Hankel transforms. The
formal matrix method above gives us a(k) which we insert into the Smythian form (E.9) to find solution V(ρ,z). The partner functions are f
2 which is the potential outside the disk in the z=0 plane, and g 1 which
is the charge density on the disk (sum of both sides).
The appropriate L and U operators for this prob lem turn out to be gussied-up Abel transform
operators (called I and K by Sneddon) known as Erdélyi-Kober operators. These operators can be
interpreted as fractional integral ope rators (fractional meaning α is continued off the integers; the disk
problem uses α = 1/2),
R(x) = R α{ f(t); x } = (1/ Γ(α)) ∫0 x dt' f(t') (x-t')α-1 // matrix: R = If = Lf (E.11a)
Riemann-Liouville 1850
W(x) = Wα{ f(t); x } = (1/ Γ(α) ∫x ∞ dt' f(t') (t'-x)α-1 // matrix: W = Kf = Uf (E.11b)
Weyl 1917
but the fact is that these are really just genera lized Abel transforms with fancy names. Like any
respectable transform, the Abel transform is invertible (see Appendix F). The disk problem is then solved as outlined above using the Abel transforms L and U and the Hankel transforms A and B.
Setting f
1(ρ) = V0 = 1 of course gives the "charged conducting disk problem".
Bateman ET 2 Chapter 13 contains a fairly large co llection of specific (E.11) Abel transforms. The
Riemann-Liouville ones are in Section 13.1 p 18 5, and the Weyl ones in Section 13.2 p 201.
How is it that the operators L and U in (E.11) are upper and lower triangular? Consider these two integral equations, where θ is the Heaviside function,
r(x) =
∫0 x k(x,y)f(y)dy = ∫0 ∞ [ k(x,y) θ(x-y)]f(y)dy ≡ ∫0 ∞ [ L(x,y) ]f(y)dy // r = Lf
w(x) = ∫x ∞ k(x,y)f(y)dy = ∫0 ∞ [ k(x,y) θ(y-x)]f(y)dy ≡ ∫0 ∞ [ U(x,y) ]f(y)dy // w = Uf
L ( x , y ) ≡ k(x,y) θ( x - y ) = 0 w h e n y > x ( E . 1 2 )
U ( x , y ) ≡ k(x,y) θ ( y - x ) = 0 w h e n x > y ,
and consider these graphs showing where the kernels L and U vanish
108
(E.13)
In the matrix interpretation of the integral equations, x is the row index and y the column index. Fig (E.13) then shows that L is a lower triangular matrix while U is upper triangular, matching (E.5). Equations like (E.12) where x appears as an in tegration endpoint are called Volterra equations.
The Corresponding Bowl Problem.
An appropriate Smythian form for the unit-radius bowl potential,
inside and outside the bowl, can be constructed from spherical atoms,
Vi(r,θ) = Σn=0∞ an rn Pn(cosθ)
Vo(r,θ) = Σn=0∞ an r-n-1Pn(cosθ) . ( E . 1 4 )
The angle here called θ is called η in our Fig (4.2.6). The (E.14) θ is measured from sphere center and θ =
0 at the base of the bowl. The bowl then corresponds to 0 ≤ θ ≤ θ0 and the empty cap to θ0 ≤ θ ≤ π. The
lip of the bowl is at θ = θ0 which in Fig (4.2.6) is called π-u0, so the connection is θ0 = π - u0.
The prescribed potential is f 1(θ) on the bowl, and the prescribed charge density is σ ~ ∂rV = 0 on the cap.
The dual equations (dual series equations now) are these:
Σn=0∞ Pn(cosθ) an = f1(θ) 0 ≤ θ ≤ θ0 [AΨ]1 = f1
Σn=0∞ (2n+1) P n(cosθ) an = 0 θ0 ≤ θ ≤ π [BΨ]2 = g2 = 0 . (E.15)
Now we have Ψn = an and the matrix sense of A is A θ,n = Pn(cosθ) where θ is a continuous angle index
and n is a discrete index. As in the previous problem, A is an ∞ x ∞ matrix.
Vinogradov et al. show (Section 1.4.3, "Noble's method") that for our bowl problem the appropriate
L,U operators are,
L h(θ) = (1/ 2 ) ∂θ ∫0 θ dφ sinφ h(φ) /cosφ-cosθ // = K 1 h(θ)
U h(θ ) = (1/ 2 ) ∫θ π dφ sinφ h(φ) /cosφ-cosθ // = K 2 h(θ) (E.16)
where we note that the Volterra θ endpoints cause these operators to ha ve triangular matrices as kernels.
If we apply L to the first equation of (E.15) a nd U to the second, we get (after some work)
Σn=0∞ cos[(n+1/2) θ] an = L f 1(θ) θ < θ0 or SΨ = Lf on I 1
Σn=0∞ cos[(n+1/2) θ] an = 0 θ > θ0 or SΨ = Ug = 0 on I 2 (E.17)
109
where both left hand sides are now of the form S Ψ as discussed above in (E.4). In the case of the charged
bowl, f1(θ) = V0 = 1, we find that L f 1(θ) = L 1 = cos( θ/2) (Maple). Then using (G.4),
∫0 π dθ cos([n+1/2] θ) cos([m+1/2] θ) = δn,m (π/ 2 ) , ( E . 1 8 )
one can trivially invert the equations (E.17) treated as a single equation on (0, π) to get Ψ = S-1 Lf , or,
an = (2/π) ∫0 θ0 dθ cos([n+1/2] θ) cos(θ/2) = (1/π) ( sin(nθ0)
n + sin[(n+1)θ 0]
n+1 ) (E.19)
which is the known result Sneddon (8.7.1). Inserting these a n coefficients into (E.14) gives the potential
of the charged unit-radius, unit-potential bowl both inside and outside the bowl. For a bowl of radius R and potential V
0 we then have
Vinside (r,θ) = V0
π Σn=0∞ ( sin(nθ0)
n + sin[(n+1)θ 0]
n+1 ) (r/R)n Pn(cosθ)
Voutside (r,θ) = V0
π Σn=0∞ ( sin(nθ0)
n + sin[(n+1)θ 0]
n+1 ) (r/R)-n-1Pn(cosθ) . (E.20)
This may be compared to the result (2.4.14a) for the potential of a charged bowl of label u 0 = π-θ0 ,
V(ξ,u) = V0
π { cot-1[- 2 cos(u/2)
chξ-cosu ] + chξ - cosu
chξ-cos(2u0- u) cot-1[2 cos(u0-u/2)
chξ-cos(2u0- u) ] } (E.21)
where the potential both inside and outside the bowl is given by the same unified expression. Moreover, the expression contains no sums or integrals, just elementary functions. (E.21) can be converted from toroidal to cylindrical and then spherical c oordinates using the methods of Appendix B.
110 Appendix F: The Abel Transform in various forms
Here
we state the generalized Abel Transform in three different ways. The historical Abel transform
problem (tautochrone) involves α = 1/2, while "generalized" allows 0 < α < 1. The Abel transform can be
expressed for α outside this range by doing one parts integration for each integer step of shift required
(Sneddon). A derivation of the Abel Transform is gi ven in Sneddon Section 2.3 and Vinogradov Section
1.5 in terms of a generic monotonic speed func tion h(u) where denominators are [h(x) - h(t)]α .
In the S1 forms below, the upper endpoint is the variab le x, while in the S2 forms x is the lower endpoint.
For the linear forms (only) we have explicitly done the ∂
t derivatives on the third line of each transform
based on the following easily derived facts,
g(x) = ∫a x dt k(x-t)f(t) => ∂x g(x) = f(a) k(x-a) + ∫a x dt k(x-t) f '(t)
g(x) = ∫x b dt k(t-x)f(t) => ∂x g(x) = – f(b) k(b-x) + ∫x b dt k(t-x) f '(t) , (F.0)
where one does a parts integration with ∂xk(t-x) = - ∂tk(t-x), and where one notices that x appears twice
in each g(x).
Linear Form of the Generalized Abel Transform:
S1: ∫a x dt f(t) / [x - t]α = g(x)
=> f(t) = (1/π )sin(πα ) ∂t { ∫a t du g(u) / [t - u]1-α } (F.1)
= (1/ π)sin(πα ) { g(a) / [t -a]1-α + ∫a t du g'(u) / [t - u]1-α }
S2: ∫x b dt f(t)/ [t - x]α = g(x)
=> f(t) = – (1/ π) sin(πα) ∂t { ∫t b du g(u) / [u - t]1-α } (F.2)
= – (1/ π) sin(πα) { - g(b) / [b - t]1-α + ∫t b du g'(u) / [u - t]1-α }
Quadratic Form of the Generalized Abel Transform:
S1: ∫a x dt f(t) / [x2 - t2]α = g ( x )
=> f(t) = (2/π )sin(πα ) ∂t { ∫a t du u g(u) / [t2- u2]1-α } (F.3)
S2: ∫x b dt f(t) / [t2 - x2]α = g ( x )
=> f(t) = – (2/ π) sin(πα) ∂t { ∫t b du u g(u) / [u2- t2]1-α } (F.4)
111
Trig Form of the Generalized Abel Transform:
S1: ∫a x dt f(t) / [cos(t) - cos(x)]α = g(x)
=> f(t) = π-1sin(πα) ∂t { ∫a t du sin(u)g(u) / [cos(u) - cos(t)]1-α } (F.5)
S2:
∫x b dt f(t) / [cos(x) - cos(t)]α = g(x)
=> f(t) = – π-1sin(πα) ∂t { ∫t b du sin(u)g(u) / [cos(t) - cos(u)]1-α } (F.6)
and this last case we write again with α = 1/2
S1: ∫a x dt f(t) / cost - cosx = g(x)
=> f(t) = π-1 ∂t { ∫a t du sinu g(u) / cosu - cost } // Sneddon (2.3.5) (F.7)
S2: ∫x b dt f(t) / cosx - cost = g(x)
=> f(t) = – π-1 ∂t { ∫t b du sinu g(u) / cost - cosu } // Sneddon (2.3.6) (F.8)
When α = 1/2, the trig form always involves factors of the form 1/ cosa-cosb . There is doubtless a
deeper (perhaps group theoretic) explanation, but due to the following integral representations of the P
function
P n(cosθ) = ( 2 /π) ∫0 θ dφ cos[(n+1/2) φ] / cosφ-cosθ // GR7 8.823 (F.9)
P n(cosθ) = ( 2 /π) ∫θ π dφ sin[(n+1/2) φ] / cosθ-cosφ // θ→π -θ, φ→π -φ
there is an close connection between Legendre functi ons and Abel transforms in the solution of dual
series equations of the type discussed in Appendix E. The integrals (F.9) are called the Mehler-Dirichlet
integrals for P n and they are derived in Section 15.231 of Whittaker and Watson.
Corresponding Bessel J 0 representations also expose this Abel tr ansform connection (though in the Abel
quadratic form)
J 0(kρ) = (1/π) ∫0 ρ dx cos(kx) / ρ2-x2 // Vinogradov 1.156
J 0(kρ) = (1/π) ∫ρ ∞ dx cos(kx) / x2-ρ2 . // Vinogradov 1.157 (F.10)
112 Here are two interesting expansions which in certain circumstances a llow for the solution of dual equation
problems by the use of two sequential Abel transforms. The first operates in the Legendre world, the
second in the Bessel world:
Σn=0∞ Pn(cosθ) Pn(cosθ') = (1/π) ∫0 min(θ ,θ') dφ 1 / [ cosφ-cosθ cosφ-cosθ' ] (F.11)
∫0 ∞ Jn(rx) Jn(r'x) dx = (2/ π) (rr')-n ∫0 min(r,r') ds s2n / [ r2-s2 r'2-s2 ] . (F.12)
The main idea is that on the RHS the variables of interest appear in factorized Abel-transform-ready form.
The first appears as Vinogradov 1.107 and the second as 2.169. Vinogradov et al. have much to say about
Abel transforms in the context of dual equations. We shall derive (F.11) in Appendix G, and then use it.
Since ours is mainly a document about the toroidal charged bowl problem, we note this alternate evaluation of the above double Bessel integral ( GR7 p696 6.612.3 ),
∫0 ∞ Jn(rx) Jn(r'x) dx = (1/ π) (rr')-1/2 Qn-1/2 [ (r2+r'2)/(2rr')] ) . (F.13)
So in the midst of a cylindrical and spherical coordinates discussion, we are somewhat surprised to find ourselves staring at a toroidal Q function as seen in the toroidal atomic forms (2.2.3) (1).
113 Appendix G: Solving the charged bowl problem using a double Abel transform
The steps given in this length
y and tedious Appendix are typical of what one encounters in a dual
equations problem. In particular, one often encounters painful integrals. Sometimes there are "easy ways"
to do integrals, but when the easy ways are not known, one must resort to brute force, as done below. This
Appendix closely follows Section 1.4.1 of Vinogradov et al. They in turn are presenting 1964 work of
W.E. Williams. Unlike Vinogradov, we try to show all of the waypoints of the calculation.
In Appendix E we outlined a matrix method for solving dual equations in this framework
AΨ = f f = (f
1, f2) presented as [A Ψ]1 = f1 on I1
BΨ = g g = (g 1, g2) presented as [B Ψ]2 = g2 on I2 (E.1)
where the problem is to solve for the "potential" Ψ and the partner functions f
2 and g1 if one is given A
and B and the driving functions f 1 and g2. We placed the V 0=1 R=1 charged bowl problem into this
framework according to
Σn=0∞ Pn(cosθ) an = 1 θ in (0,θ0) [A Ψ]1 = f1(θ) = 1
Σn=0∞ (2n+1) P n(cosθ) an = 0 θ in (θ0,π) [B Ψ]2 = g2(θ) = 0 . (E.15)
In the matrix method, one formally finds Ψ first, and then from that gets the partner functions f 2 and g1.
As one quickly learns from reading Sneddon's reviews, there are many variations of this general method.
Sometimes the batting order is to first find the partner function g 1 and then from it obtain Ψ and f2. That
is exactly what we are going to do below.
G.1 Find g 1
The starting point is B Ψ = g = (g 1,g2) where g 2 = 0 since there is no charge density on the cap of a
charged bowl. The unknown partner function g 1 is proportional to the total charge density on the bowl.
We have
g1(θ) = Σn=0∞ (2n+1) P n(cosθ) an = ∂rVi - ∂rVo = 4π [σi(θ)+σo(θ)] θ in (0,θ0)
from Gauss's Law where σ is expressed in cgs units. For a bowl of radius R,
g1 = 4πR(σi+σo) . ( G . 0 )
The second equation of (E.15) above may be written as ( z = cos θ in all that follows )
Σn=0∞ (2n+1) P n(z) an = g(θ) = ⎩⎨⎧ g1(θ) θ in (0,θ0)
0 θ in (θ0,π) . (G.1)
Applying ∫-1 1 dz Pn'(z) to both sides and using ∫-1 1 dz Pn(z)Pn'(z) = δn,n'2/(2n+1) one finds that
114
an = (1/2) ∫-1 1 dz Pn(z) g(θ) = (1/2) ∫0 θ0 dθ sinθ Pn(z) g1(θ) . (G.2)
If we install this a n into our first dual equation of (E.15), Σn=0∞ Pn(z') an = V0 = 1, we get
Σn=0∞ Pn(z') [ (1/2) ∫-1 1 dz Pn(z) g(θ)] = 1
or
∫-1 1 dz g(θ) [ (1/2) Σ n=0∞ Pn(z) Pn(z') ] = 1
or
∫-1 1 dz g(θ) K(θ,θ') = 1 where K( θ,θ') ≡ (1/2) Σn=0∞ Pn(z) Pn(z') . (G.3)
Thus, K(θ,θ') is the kernel of an integral equation we want to solve for g.
Digressing momentarily, if one considers the "s tring problem with the left end offset "
u"(θ) = -n
2u(θ) u(0) = 1 u(π ) = 0
one finds that the eigenfunctions cos([n+1/2] θ) form a complete set with completeness
Σn=0∞ cos([n+1/2]x) cos([n+1/2]x') = ( π/2) δ(x-x') (G.4)
and if the right end instead is offset, one gets the same result with cos → sin.
Now, using the integral representation (F.9) for each P function in (G.3) along with (G,4), we get
K(θ,θ') = (1/2π)
∫0 min(θ ,θ') dφ { 1/ cosφ-cosθ 1/ cosφ-cosθ' } . (G.5)
which was quoted as (F.11) in Appendix F. Equation (G.3) then says
1 = ∫0 θ0 dθ' [sinθ' g1(θ')] (1/2π) ∫0 min(θ ,θ') dφ { 1/ cosφ-cosθ 1/ cosφ-cosθ' } (G.6)
where we have used that fact that g( θ) = 0 on (θ 0,π). Pondering the region of the double integration
115
(G.7)
we can swap the integration order to obtain
2π =
∫0 θ dφ 1/cosφ-cosθ ∫φ θ0 dθ' [sinθ' g1(θ')] 1/ cosφ-cosθ' θ ≤ θ0 . (G.8)
The plan is now to solve this equation for g 1 using a double Abel transform. We can break (G.8) into two
pieces, each an Abel transform, in this way
2π =
∫0 θ dφ h(φ)/cosφ-cosθ φ ≤ θ ≤ θ0 (G.9)
h(φ) ≡ ∫φ θ0 dθ' [sinθ' g1(θ')] 1/ cosφ-cosθ' . ( G . 1 0 )
Using Abel transform (F.7) applied to (G.9) we find that
h(φ) = 2 sinφ/
1-cosφ φ in (0,θ0) . (G.11)
Using this for the left side of (G.10) we apply Abel transform (F.8) to get
[ s i n θ g
1(θ)] = - (2/π) ∂θI ( G . 1 2 )
where
I ( θ) = ∫θ θ0 du sin2u [1/ 1-cosu ] [1 / cosθ - cosu ] . (G.13)
This integral can be transformed into a simpler form which can be evaluated,
I(θ ) = ∫θ θ0 du sin2u [1/ 1-cosu ] [1 / cosθ - cosu ]
= ∫a b [ dx/ 1-x2 ] (1-x2) / [ 1-x cosθ - x ] // x = cosu, a=cos θ0, b= cosθ
= ∫a b dx 1+x / b - x
116 = ∫0 c dy d-y / y // y = b-x, c = b-a, d = b+1 , d-c = a+1
= 2 ∫0 c dx d-x2 // y = x2 c = cosθ - cosθ0
= c d-c + d sin-1(c /d ) . // Maple d = cos θ + 1 (G.14)
Then using ∂θ = -sinθ (∂c+ ∂d) we can rewrite (G.12) as
[sinθ g1(θ)] = - (2/π) ∂θI = (2/π) sinθ(∂c+ ∂d) I
so that
g
1(θ) = (2/π) (∂c+ ∂d) I = (2/π) { d-c / c + sin-1(c /d ) }
= (2/π ) { a+1 / b-a + sin-1(b-a / b+1 ) } .
Using the fact that sin-1 (b - a / b+1 ) = π/2 – sin-1[1+a / 1+b ] we find
g
1(θ) = (2/π ) {1+a / b-a + π /2 – sin-1[1+a / 1+b ] }
= (2/ π) {
2 cos(θ0/2)/ cosθ - cosθ0 + π/2 – sin-1[ cos(θ0/2) / cos(θ/2)] }
= 2
π { 2 cos(θ0/2)
cosθ - cosθ0 + π
2 – sin-1 ( cos(θ0/2)
cos(θ/2) ) } .
This is our corrected version of Vinogradov equation (1.111),
// wrong
where they seem to have 2 ↔2 . So the final result for g 1(θ) can be stated,
g1(θ) = 2
π { 2 cos(θ0/2)
cosθ - cosθ0 + π
2 – sin-1 ( cos(θ0/2)
cos(θ/2) ) }
= 2
π { 2 cos(θ0/2)
cosθ - cosθ0 + cos-1 ( cos(θ0/2)
cos(θ/2) ) } . θ ≤ θ0 (G.15)
where on the last line we use π /2 - sin-1(x) = cos-1(x).
To summarize: using a double Abel transform, we have solved our dual equation problem for the
partner function g 1, the total charge density on the bowl (sum of both sides).
117 G.2 Run a check on g 1
As a check on (G.15), since g 1 = 4πR(σi+σo) from (G.0) and since σo+σi = 2σi+ (V0/4πR) from (4.1.21),
we can use the Kelvin result (4.2.3) for σi (with α = u0) to claim,
σo+σi = (V0/2π2R) { 1-cosα / cosα - cosθ – tan-1 [1-cosα /cosα - cosθ ] } + V0/(4πR)
= V 0/(2π2R) { 1-cosα / cosα - cosθ – tan-1 [1-cosα /cosα - cosθ ] + π /2 } .
But for comparison we have to flip the z axis which takes all cos → -cos (recall that θ0 = π-u0) to get,
σo+σi = V0/(2π2R) { 1+cosθ0 / cosθ - cosθ0 – tan-1 [1+cosθ0 /cosθ - cosθ0 ] + π /2 } .
Finally we use the fact that (draw a small triangle)
tan
-1 [1+cosθ0 /cosθ - cosθ0 ] = sin-1[1+cosθ0 /1+cosθ ] = sin-1[ cos(θ0/2) / cos(θ/2)]
to get
σ
o+σi = V0/(2π2R) { 2 cos(θ0/2) / cosθ - cosθ0 + π/2 – sin-1[ cos(θ0/2) / cos(θ/2)] } .
Setting V 0 = 1 and R = 1 one then has
g1 = 4π(σi+σo) = (2/π) { 2 cos(θ0/2) / cosθ - cosθ0 + π/2 – sin-1[ cos(θ0/2) / cos(θ/2)] }
in agreement with (G.15).
G.3 Find a n
The next step is to determine coefficients a n by inserting (G.15) for g 1(θ) into (G.2). This gives
an = (1/π) ∫0 θ0 dθ sinθ Pn(cosθ) {1+cosθ0 /cosθ-cosθ0 + cos-1[1+cosθ0 /1+cosθ ] } , (G.16)
another unruly integral. The first term can be evaluated using GR7 p 790 7.225.2 (ignore the P-1/2 typo)
∫cosθ0 1 dz Pn(z) / z-cosθ0 = (n+1/2)-1 (1-cosθ0)-1/2 [ Tn(cosθ0) – Tn+1(cosθ0)]
= (n+1/2)-1 (1-cosθ0)-1/2 [ cos(nθ0) – cos[(n+1) θ0 ] (G.17)
(Chebyshev T n) so that
an(1st term) = (2/ π) cot(θ0/2) [ cos(n θ0) – cos[(n+1) θ0] / (2n+1)
= ( 2 / π) cot(θ0/2) [2 sin[(n+1/2) θ0] sin(θ0/2)] / (2n+1)
118 = ( 4 / π) cos(θ0/2) sin[(n+1/2) θ0] / (2n+1)
= ( 2 / π) {sin(nθ0) + sin[(n+1) θ0] } / (2n+1) . (G.18)
The second term integral
a
n(2nd term) = (1/π ) ∫0 θ0 dθ sinθ Pn(cosθ) cos-1[1+cosθ0 /1+cosθ ] (G.19)
is an indefinite integral of P n times an inverse trig function of an algebraic argument, making this integral
a bit difficult to look up in a table. This is where brute force comes in. We put P n into its integral
representation (F.9), and then reve rse the integration order using ∫0 θ0 dθ ∫0 θ dφ = ∫0 θ0 dφ ∫φ θ0 dθ
(draw a picture) to get
a n(2nd term) = ( 2 /π2) ∫0 a dφ cos[(n+1/2) φ] R
where
R ≡ ∫φ θ0 dθ sinθ/cosφ-cosθ * cos-1[1+cosθ0 /1+cosθ ] . (G.20)
R may be evaluated by setting x = ch( θ/2), a = cos( φ/2) and b = cos( θ0/2) to get
R = (2 2 ) ∫b a dx x / a2-x2 * sec-1(x/b)
= –(2 2 ) ∫b a dx ∂x (a2-x2)1/2 sec-1(x/b) // set up for parts
= (2 2 ) ∫b a dx (a2-x2)1/2 ∂x sec-1(x/b) // the "parts" vanish
= (2 2 b) ∫b a dx x-1 (a2-x2)1/2 (x2-b2)-1/2 // arc trig function is now gone
= ( 2 b) ∫β α dy/(y) (α-y)1/2 (y-β)-1/2 // x2 = y ,a2 = α , b2 = β
= ( 2 b) (c-1) ∫0 ∞ dz z / [(z+1)(z+c)] // z = ( α-y)/(y-β ) c = α/β = a2/b2
= ( 2 b) π(c -1) // regulated partial fractions, ∞→Λ→∞
= ( 2 b) π ( (a/b) - 1) = ( 2 π) (a - b)
= 2 π (cos(φ/2) - cos(θ0/ 2 ) ) . ( G . 2 1 )
After this saga, we are left with
119 an(2nd term) = (2/π ) ∫0 θ0 dφ cos[(n+1/2) φ] [cos(φ/2) - cos(θ0/2) ]
= ( 1 / π) [ (n+1-n cos θ0)sin(nθ0) - nsinθ0cos(nθ0) ] / [ n(n+1)(2n+1)]
= ( 1 / π) { [ sin(n θ0)/n - sin[(n+1) θ0]/(n+1) } / (2n+1) . (G.22)
At this point then we have shown that
an(1st term) = (1/π ) { 2sin(n θ0) + 2sin[(n+1) θ0] } / (2n+1)
an(2nd term) = (1/π ) { sin(n θ0)/n - sin[(n+1)θ 0]/(n+1) } / (2n+1) . (G.23)
Adding we find
a
n = (1/π) { [2+1/n] sin(n θ0) + [2-1/(n+1)] sin[(n+1)θ 0] } / (2n+1)
= ( 1 / π) { (2n+1)/n * sin(n θ0) + (2n+1)/(n+1)* sin[(n+1) θ0] } / (2n+1)
= ( 1 / π) { sin(nθ0)/n + sin[(n+1) θ0] /(n+1) } (G.24)
which agrees with the result found in (E.19).
G.4 Find Ψ and f
2
For the unit-radius bowl the potential is given by (E.14) with (G.24),
V
i(r,θ) = (1/π ) Σn=0∞ { sin(nθ0)/n + sin[(n+1) θ0] /(n+1) } rn Pn(cosθ)
Vo(r,θ) = (1/π ) Σn=0∞ { sin(nθ0)/n + sin[(n+1) θ0] /(n+1) } r-n-1Pn(cosθ) . (G.25)
Finally, looking at (E.15), the other partner function f 2 is the potential on the cap, θ0 < θ < π,
f2(θ) = (1/π) Σn=0∞{ sin(nθ0)/n + sin[(n+1) θ0] /(n+1) } P n(cosθ)
= ( 2 / π)sin-1[sin(θ0/2)
sin(θ/2) ] . ( G . 2 6 )
To get this last result, we assume the foll owing obscure Legendre polynomial expansion,
Σn=0∞ { sin(nθ0)
n + sin[(n+1)θ 0]
n+1 } Pn(cosθ) = 2sin-1[sin(θ0/2)
sin(θ/2) ] θ0≤θ≤π . (G.27)
We crudely verify (G.27) with a quick Maple test plot using 20 terms of the series so one can see the
difference between the two curves,
120
(G.28)
We cannot find series (G.27) in any source, but we know it has to be true for the following reason.
Making contact with our previous work, imagine that the angle θ appearing in our Fig (4.2.6) is θ. Then
we can say, θ = π - θ
θ
0 = π - u0 and set u 0 = α . ( G . 2 9 )
Then
sin(θ
0/2)
sin(θ/2) = sin([π -u0]/2)
sin([π -θ]/2) = cos(u0/2)
cos(θ/2) = cos(α/2)
cos(θ/2)
so
f2(θ) = (2/π )sin-1[cos(α/2)
cos(θ/2) ] . ( G . 3 0 )
This agrees with the Smythe potential on the cap result (D.7) with V 0 = 1,
V(θ) = V0(2/π)sin-1[cos(α/2)
cos(θ/2) ] . (D.7)
121
Appendix H: Support
H.1 Solving for A( τ) and B(τ) in (2.4.10) and dou ble-bowl support
Our first task is to solve equations (2.4.10) for A( τ) and B(τ),
[ A(τ)ch(u0τ) + B(τ )sh(u0τ) ] = V 0 2 ch[(u0-π)τ] / ch(πτ) u' 0 ≡ u0 + 2π
[ A(τ)ch(u0'τ) + B(τ)sh(u0'τ) ] = V0 2 ch[(u0-π)τ] / ch(πτ) (2.4.10) . (H.1.1)
Normally we would have Maple solve these equations, but our Maple V is not too smart with the hyperbolic function identities and produces a messy solution of exponentials. Therefore we solve the
problem by hand and use Maple to verify the solution. Since both equations have the same right side, the left sides are also equal,
[ A(τ)ch([u
0 + 2π]τ) + B(τ)sh([u0 + 2π]τ) ] = [ A( τ)ch(u0τ) + B(τ )sh(u0τ) ]
or A(τ) [ ch[(u
0+2π)τ] – ch(u 0τ) ] = - B( τ) [ sh[(u0+2π)τ] – sh(u 0τ) ] . (H.1.2)
Use the identities
ch(a+x) - ch(x) = 2 sh(a/2+x) sh(a/2) sh(a+x) - sh(x) = 2 ch(a/2+x ) sh(a/2) (H.1.3)
with x = u
0τ, a = 2πτ, a/2+x = ( π+u0)τ to get
ch[(u
0+2π)τ] – ch(u 0τ) = 2 sh[( π+u0)τ]sh(πτ)
sh[(u 0+2π)τ] – sh(u 0τ) = 2 ch[( π+u0)τ]sh(πτ) . (H.1.4)
Then (H.1.2) becomes,
A(τ) [ sh[(π+u0)τ]sh(πτ) ] = - B(τ ) [ ch[(π+u0)τ]sh(πτ) ] .
so that
B(τ) = – A(τ) th[(π +u
0)τ] ( H . 1 . 5 )
providing a simple relationship between B( τ) and A(τ ).
Insert this expression for B( τ) into the first equation of (H.1.1) to get
[ A(τ)ch(u
0τ) – A(τ) th[(π +u0)τ]sh(u0τ) ] = V 0 2 ch[τ(u0-π)] / ch(πτ)
or ch(πτ) A(τ) {ch(u
0τ) – th[(π+u0)τ] sh(u0τ) } = V0 2 ch[τ(u0-π)]
122 or
ch(πτ) A(τ) {ch[(π+u0)τ]ch(u0τ) –sh[(π+u0)τ] sh(u0τ) } = V0 2 ch[τ(u0-π)] ch[(π+u0)τ] . (H.1.6)
Now use identity
chx chy - shx shy = ch(x-y) (H.1.7)
with x = [( π+u
0)τ] and y = (u 0τ) to get
ch[(π+u
0)τ]ch(u0τ) –sh[(π+u0)τ] sh(u0τ) = ch(πτ ) . (H.1.8)
Then (H.1.6) may be written
ch
2(πτ) A(τ) = V0 2 ch[τ(u0-π)] ch[(π+u0)τ] ( H . 1 . 9 )
giving
A(τ) = V
0 2 ch[τ(u0-π)] ch[(π+u0)τ]/ ch2(πτ) . (H.1.10)
Then from (H.1.5) that B( τ) = – A(τ) th[(π +u0)τ] ,
B(τ) = – V0 2 ch[τ(u0-π)] sh[(π+u0)τ]/ ch2(πτ) ( H . 1 . 1 1 )
so the solution is then
A(τ) = V
0 2 ch[(π-u0)τ] ch[(π+u0)τ] / ch2(πτ)
B(τ) = – V0 2 ch[(π-u0)τ] sh[(π+u0)τ] / ch2(πτ) . (H.1.12)
We then use Maple to verify that (H.1.12) really is the solution to (H.1.1). Here f and g are the left sides
of (H.1.1), h is the right side, and u0p means u 0'. We want to show that f-h = 0 and g-h = 0.
( % refers to the last calculated object)
123
(H.1.13)
Double bowl support
The boundary conditions stated in (3.5) are
[ A(τ)ch(u
1τ) + B(τ )sh(u1τ) ] = V 1 2 ch[τ(u1-π)] / ch(πτ)
[ A(τ)ch(u0'τ) + B(τ)sh(u0'τ) ] = V0 2 ch[τ(u0-π)] / ch(πτ) . (3.5) (H.1.14)
Divide the second equation by the first,
A(τ)ch(u
0'τ) + B(τ)sh(u0'τ)
A(τ)ch(u1τ) + B(τ)sh(u1τ) = V0 ch[τ(π-u0)]
V1 ch[τ(π-u1)] . (H.1.15)
Multiply out and isolate factors A( τ) and B(τ) to find that
A ( τ) P = B(τ ) Q ( H . 1 . 1 6 )
w h e r e
P ≡ { V
1 ch(u0'τ) ch[τ(π-u1)] – V0ch(u1τ) ch[τ(π-u0)] }
Q ≡ { V0sh(u1τ) ch[τ(π-u0)] – V1sh(u0'τ) ch[τ(π-u1)] } .
Multiply the second equation of (H.1.14) by Q
[ A(τ)Qch(u0'τ) + B(τ)Qsh(u0'τ) ] ch(πτ ) = V0 2 Q ch[τ(u0-π)] . (H.1.17)
Replace B(τ )Q by A(τ)P in (H.1.17) and solve for A( τ) to get
ch(πτ)A(τ) = V0 2 Qch[τ(π-u0)] / [Qch(u 0'τ) + P sh(u 0'τ) ] . (H.1.18)
124 Replace A( τ)P by B(τ )Q by in (H.1.17) and solve for B( τ) to get
ch(πτ) B(τ ) = V0 2 Pch[τ(π-u0)] / [Qch(u 0'τ) + P sh(u 0'τ) ] . (H.1.19)
The coefficients are then
A ( τ) = V0 2 Q ch[τ(π-u0)]
[Q ch(u0'τ) + P sh(u 0'τ) ]ch(πτ)
B ( τ) = V0 2 P ch[τ(π-u0)]
[Q ch(u0'τ) + P sh(u 0'τ) ]ch(πτ)
w h e r e ( H . 1 . 2 0 )
P = { V 1 ch(u0'τ) ch[τ(π-u1)] – V0ch(u1τ) ch[τ(π-u0)] }
Q = { V 0 sh(u1τ) ch[τ(π-u0)] – V1sh(u0'τ) ch[τ(π-u1)] } .
We then use Maple to verify that (H.1.20) is the solution to (H.1.14),
( H . 1 . 2 1 ) Next, in order so show that (3.2) equals (3.7 ) for the double bowl, we have to show this:
[ A(τ)ch(uτ) + B(τ)sh(uτ) ] = V
0 2 ch[(π-u0)τ] sh[(u-u 1)τ] + ch[(π-u1)τ] sh[(2π+u0-u)τ]
ch(πτ) sh[(2π+u0-u1)τ] . (H.1.22)
This requires a boatload of algebra which would be painful to re plicate here, so instead of deriving the
above equation, we shall verify that it is in fact co rrect. We first multiple both sides of (H.1.22) by the
denominator of the right side to get
ch(πτ) sh[(2π+u
0-u1)τ] [ A(τ)ch(uτ) + B(τ)sh(uτ) ] // LHS = RHS
= V 0 2 (ch[(π-u0)τ] sh[(u-u 1)τ] + ch[(π-u1)τ] sh[(2π+u0-u)τ] ) . (H.1.23)
125 To assist Maple (which does not like messy fractions), we shall multiply both sides by
F = [Q ch(u 0'τ) + P sh(u 0'τ) ]ch(πτ) . ( H . 1 . 2 4 )
which clears the denominators of A and B visible in (H.1.20). So we then want to prove that
F*(LHS-RHS) = 0 where
LHS = ch( πτ) sh[(2π+u
0-u1)τ] [ A(τ)ch(uτ ) + B(τ)sh(uτ) ]
R H S = V 0 2 (ch[(π-u0)τ] sh[(u-u 1)τ] + ch[(π-u1)τ] sh[(2π+u0-u)τ] )
F = [ Q c h ( u 0'τ) + P sh(u 0'τ) ]ch(πτ) . ( H . 1 . 2 5 )
This is a problem Maple can handle. Continuing the code (H.1.21), we enter the last three expressions,
( H . 1 . 2 6 )
For the double bowl we set u
0' ≡ u0 + 2π and V1 = V0 as noted below (3.6). Here then is Maple's
demonstration that F*(LHS-RHS) = 0 :
( H . 1 . 2 7 ) Next, to verify the claim made below (3.7) we need to show that in the limit u
1→u0, the double bowl
potential
V(ξ,u) = V
0 2 chξ - cosu ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(chξ) ch[(π-u0)τ] sh[(u-u 1)τ] + ch[(π-u1)τ] sh[(2π+u0-u)τ]
ch(πτ) sh[(2π+u0-u1)τ]
(3.7)
becomes the single bowl potential
V(ξ ,u) = V0 2 chξ - cosu ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(chξ) ch[(π–u0)τ] ch[(π+u0-u)τ]
ch2(πτ) . (2.4.13)
126 This requires showing that, as u 1→u0,
ch[(π-u0)τ] sh[(u-u 1)τ] + ch[(π-u1)τ] sh[(2π+u0-u)τ]
ch(πτ) sh[(2π+u0-u1)τ] = ch[(π–u0)τ] ch[(π+u0-u)τ]
ch2(πτ)
or
ch[(π-u0)τ] sh[(u-u 0)τ] + ch[(π-u0)τ] sh[(2π+u0-u)τ]
sh[(2π)τ] = ch[(π–u0)τ] ch[(π+u0-u)τ]
ch(πτ)
or
ch(πτ)( sh[(u-u 0)τ] + sh[(2π+u0-u)τ] ) = sh(2 πτ) ch[(π+u0-u)τ] . (H.1.28)
Maple rises to the occasion:
(H.1.29)
Thus the limit u 1→u0 of the double bowl potential is the single bowl potential.
Finally, we want to verify the claim made in (3.16) that
ch[θτ] sh[(u-π-θ)τ] + ch[θτ] sh[(3π -θ-u)τ]
ch(πτ) sh[(2π-2θ)τ]
= ch(θτ) ch[(2π-u)τ]
ch(πτ) ch[(π-θ)τ]
or sh[(u-π-θ)τ] + sh[(3π -θ-u)τ]
sh[(2π-2θ)τ]
= ch[(2π-u)τ]
ch[(π-θ)τ]
or
( sh[(u- π-θ)τ] + sh[(3π -θ-u)τ] ) ch[(π-θ)τ] = sh[(2 π-2θ)τ] ch[(2π-u)τ] . (H.1.30)
Another job for Maple:
127
( H . 1 . 3 1 )
H.2 Computation of the integral in (2.4.7)
Derive the following integr
al:
∫1 ∞ dx Piτ-1/2(x) / x - cosu0 = 2 ch[τ(u0-π)] / (τ sh(πτ)) 0 ≤ u0 ≤ 2π . (H.2.1)
Start with the left hand side (LHS) and expand part of the integrand using (10.1.8a) with a=x and b=1
1/ x - cosu0 = (1/π ) 2 Σn=0∞ εn Qn-1/2 (x) cos(nu 0) (10.1.8a) (H.2.2)
so that
LHS = ( 2 /π) Σn=0∞ εn cos(nu0) ∫1 ∞ dx Piτ-1/2(x) Qn-1/2 (x) . (H.2.3)
Using GR7 page 770 7.114.1 with ν = iτ-1/2 and σ = n-1/2,
we find (σ-ν) = n-iτ and (σ+ν+1) = n+i τ so our PQ integral is just 1/(n2+τ2). Then,
LHS = ( 2 /π) Σn=0∞ εn cos(nu0) /(n2+τ2) . ( H . 2 . 4 )
Then use GR7 page 47 1.445.2,
which can be rewritten with k = n, α = τ, x = u0, and εn= 2-δn,0 ,
Σn=0∞ εn cos(nu0)
(n2+τ2) = (π/τ) ch[τ(π- u0)]/sh(τπ) 0 ≤ u0 ≤ 2π (H.2.5)
128 to conclude that
LHS = 2 ch[τ (π- u0)]/ [ τ sh(τπ) ] ( H . 2 . 6 )
and therefore (H.2.1) is validated
H.3 Computation of the integral in (4.4.2)
Derive the following integr
al:
∫0 ∞ dx ch2(bx)/ch2(x) = [πb/sin(πb) + 1]/2 0 < |b| < 1 . (H.3.1)
Start with twice the left hand side,
2 ∫0 ∞ dx ch2(bx)/ch2( x )
= ∫0 ∞ dx [ ch(2bx)+1]/ch2(x)
= ∫0 ∞ dx ch(2bx)/ch2(x) + ∫0 ∞ dx/ch2(x)
= ∫0 ∞ dx ch(2bx)/ch2(x) + 1 . // GR7 3.5.11(8) or Maple for second integral (H.3.2)
To evaluate the first integral use this integral from GR7 3.512.1,
with β = b and ν = 1 and a = 1.
We pause to check the conditions. Requirement β > 0 indicates that β is real, so Re( β) = β , as is our ν. So
Re(ν±β) > 0 ⇒ ν±β > 0 ⇒ 1 ± b > 0 ⇒ ± b > -1 ⇒ b > -1 and b < 1 so: -1 < b < 1
But condition β > 0 says b> 0. So only condition is this
0 < b < 1 . ( H . 3 . 3 ) Applying the above GR7 integral one gets,
129 ∫0 ∞ dx ch(2bx)/ch2(x) = B(1+b, 1-b) // B(x,y) ≡ Γ(x)Γ(y)/Γ(x+y)
= Γ(1+b)Γ(1-b)/Γ (2) = Γ (1+b)Γ(1-b) (H.3.4)
Maple informs us that
so the first term in (H.3.2) is
∫0 ∞ dx ch(2bx)/ch2(x) = -πb/sin[π(1+b)] = - πb/sin(πb+π) = + πb/sin(πb) . (H.3.5)
The integral appearing in (H.3.1) is then
∫0 ∞ dx ch2(bx)/ch2(x) = [πb/sin(πb) + 1]/2 . 0 < b < 1 (H.3.6)
Replacing b by |b| we get
∫0 ∞ dx ch2( |b|x)/ch2(x) = [π |b|/sin(π |b|) + 1]/2 0 < |b| < 1
or
∫0 ∞ dx ch2(bx)/ch2(x) = [πb/sin(πb) + 1]/2 0 < |b| < 1 (H.3.7)
H.4 Computation of two integrals used in Appendix J and K
(a) Derive the following i
ntegral:
∫0 π dx cos(nx) 1
b+cosx = (sign b)n+1 π
b2-1 (b2-1 - |b| )n . b > 1 or b < - 1 (H.4.1)
That is, compute the Fourier Cosine Series Transform of the function 1/(b+cosx). Start with this integral from GR7 3.613.1,
( H . 4 . 2 )
130 Call the above integral J(a) and let b = 1/a. Then
J(a) = ∫0 π dx cos(nx) 1
1+acosx b
b = b ∫0 π dx cos(nx) 1
b+cosx
π
1-a2 b
b = b π
b2-1
1-a2 -1
a b
b = ( b2-1 - b) . (H.4.3)
Then
b ∫0 π dx cos(nx) 1
b+cosx = b π
b2-1 (b2-1 - b)n
so we find
I(b) ≡ ∫0 π dx cos(nx) 1
b+cosx = b π
b2-1 (b2-1 - b)n b > 1, -b = -|b| . (H.4.4)
For b < - 1, the correct analytic continuation is to take b2-1 → - b2-1 (as verified below) so in this
case one finds
I(b) ≡ ∫0 π dx cos(nx) 1
b+cosx = - π
b2-1 (- b2-1 - b)n b < -1, b = - |b|
= (-1)n+1 π
b2-1 (b2-1 + b)n b < -1 . (H.4.5)
Combining these results,
I(b) = ∫0 π dx cos(nx) 1
b+cosx = (sign b)n+1 π
b2-1 (b2-1 - |b| )n (H.4.6)
and so (H.4.1) has been derived.
Maple numerical integration verification for several cases:
131
(H.4.7)
(b) Derive the following integral:
∫0 π dx cos(nx) 1
(b+cos)2 = (sign b)n π (|b| + n b2-1 )( b2-1 -|b|)n 1
(b2-1)3/2 b > 1 or b < - 1
( H . 4 . 8 )
That is, compute the Fourier Cosine Series Transform of the function 1/(b+cosx)2.
Start with (H.4.4) for b > 1
I(b) = ∫0 π dx cos(nx) 1
b+cosx = b π
b2-1 (b2-1 - b)n . (H.4.4)
Apply ∂b = d/db to get
∂bI(b) = - ∫0 π dx cos(nx)(b+cosx)-2 = ∂b [π
b2-1 (b2-1 - b)n ] . (H.4.9)
Maple does the derivative,
(H.4.10)
Thus,
∫0 π dx cos(nx) 1
(b+cos)2 = π (b + n b2-1 )( b2-1 - b)n 1
(b2-1)3/2 b > 1 , |b| = b . (H.4.11)
132
For b < - 1, the correct analytic continuation is to take b2-1 → - b2-1 (as verified below) so in this
case one finds,
∫0 π dx cos(nx) 1
(b+cos)2 = π (b - n b2-1 )(- b2-1 - b)n [ - 1
(b2-1)3/2 ]
= π (-b + n b2-1 )(- b2-1 - b)n 1
(b2-1)3/2
= (-1)
n π (-b + n b2-1 )( b2-1 + b)n 1
(b2-1)3/2 b < -1, -b = |b| .
( H . 4 . 1 2 )
Combining these results one gets,
∫0 π dx cos(nx) 1
(b+cos)2 = (sign b)n π (|b| + n b2-1 )( b2-1 -|b|)n (b2-1)-3/2 (H.4.13)
and so (H.4.8) has been derived.
Maple numerical integration verification for several cases:
( H . 4 . 1 4 )
133 H.5 Limits of toroidal functions (and combinations) as n →∞
Results below assu
me ξ ≥ 0 and ξ0 ≥ 0.
From NIST p 366 and p 354 we find that, for large ν,
(H.5.1)
Our Q function of interest is the unbolded one. Therefore,
Pν(chξ) → ξ
shξ I0[(ν+1/2)ξ]
Qν(chξ) → ξ
shξ K0[(ν+1/2)ξ] ν→∞ ( H . 5 . 2 )
so for the toroidal functions
Pn-1/2 (chξ) → ξ
shξ I0(nξ)
Qn-1/2 (chξ) → ξ
shξ K0(nξ) . n →∞ ( H . 5 . 3 )
Here I0 and K0 are modified Bessel functions. From the same source the large z behaviors of I 0 and K0
are given by,
with
. (H.5.4)
134 Therefore,
I0(z) → 1
2πz ez
K0(z) → π
2z e-z z →∞ ( H . 5 . 5 )
so I
0(nξ) → 1
2πnξ enξ
K0(nξ) → π
2nξ e-nξ . n →∞ ( H . 5 . 6 )
Putting the pieces together, we find that
P
n-1/2 (chξ0) → ξ0
shξ0 1
2πnξ0 enξ0 = 1
shξ0 1
2πn enξ0
Qn-1/2 (chξ0) → ξ0
shξ0 π
2nξ0 e-nξ0 = 1
shξ0 π
2n e-nξ0 . n→∞ (H.5.7)
so Pn-1/2 (chξ0) diverges exponentially as n → ∞, whereas Q n-1/2 (chξ0) converges exponentially. We are
interested in several special combinations of functions. First,
Pn-1/2 (chξ0)Qn-1/2 (chξ0) → 1
shξ0 1
2n n →∞ (H.5.8)
which is only mildly convergent as n → ∞. Next,
Qn-1/2 (chξ0)
Pn-1/2 (chξ0) → π e-2nξ0 n →∞ (H.5.9)
which is exponentially convergent. Finally,
P
n-1/2 (chξ) Qn-1/2 (chξ0)
Pn-1/2 (chξ0) → 1
shξ π
2n e-n(2ξ0-ξ) n →∞ (H.5.10)
which is exponentially convergent for ξ < 2ξ0.
135 H.6 Limits of toroidal functions (and combinations) as z →∞
(a) The cases
n = 1,2,3....
We start with this x → ∞ form from NIST,
(H.6.1)
Setting μ = 0 we find that
Pν(x) → (1/π )[Γ(ν+1/2)/Γ (ν+1)] (2x)ν ν > -1/2 x → ∞ . (H.6.2)
Setting ν = n-1/2 for n = 1,2... one finds,
Pn-1/2 (x) → (1/π )[Γ(n)/Γ (n+1/2)] (2x)n-1/2 n > 0 x → ∞ . (H.6.3)
For the Q functions one has instead, again from NIST,
(H.6.4)
Then
Q
ν(x) → π [Γ(ν+1)/Γ (ν+3/2)] (2x)-ν-1 . (H.6.5)
Setting ν = n-1/2 for n = 0,1,2...
Qn-1/2 (x) → π [Γ(n+1/2)/Γ (n+1)] (2x)-n-1/2 n = 0,1,2... x →∞ . (H.6.6)
A ratio of interest is this,
Q
n-1/2 (x)
Pn-1/2 (x) → π [Γ(n+1/2)/Γ (n+1)] (2x)-n-1/2
(1/π )[Γ(n)/Γ (n+1/2)] (2x)n-1/2 = π Γ(n+1/2)/Γ (n+1)
Γ(n)/Γ (n+1/2) (2x)-2n
= π Γ2(n+1/2)
Γ(n)Γ(n+1) (2x)-2n n = 1,2.... x →∞ . (H.6.7)
136 (b) The case n = 0
For Q-1/2(x) we use (H.6.6) with n = 0 above to get
Q-1/2(x) → π [Γ(1/2)/Γ (1)] (2x)-1/2 = (π/2 ) x-1/2 . (H.6.8)
The P-1/2(x) function requires much more work, it is a special case. We start with NIST,
(H.6.9)
which relates P -1/2(x) to the complete elliptical integral K(z). As ξ→∞, tanh(ξ/2) → 1 so we need the
behavior of K(z) for z near 1. GR7 8.113.3 gives this expansion of K(k) near k = 1 (small k'),
w h e r e ( H . 6 . 1 0 )
Keeping only the leading term,
K(k) ≈ ln(4/k') = ln(4/
1-k2 ) . ( H . 6 . 1 1 )
Now if k = th( ξ/2), then k' =
1-k2 = sech(ξ/2) so,
K( th( ξ/2) ) ≈ ln(4 ch(ξ/2)) = (1/2) ln(16 ch2(ξ/2)] = (1/2)ln[ 8 (chξ +1)] . (H.6.12)
Therefore,
P-1/2(chξ) = 2
π 1
ch(ξ/2) K(th(ξ/2)) ≈ 2
π 2
chξ+1 (1/2) ln[ 8 (1+ch ξ)]
≈ 2
π 1
chξ ln(8chξ) large ξ ( H . 6 . 1 3 )
which is more simply stated as
P-1/2(x) ≈ 2
π x-1/2 ln(8x) . large x (H.6.14)
We then compute our special n = 0 case Q/P ratio from (H.6.8) and (H.6.14) to be
137
Q-1/2(x)
P-1/2(x) → (π/2 ) x-1/2
(2 /π) x-1/2 ln(8x) = (π2/2) 1/ln(8x) x→∞ . (H.6.15)
One could argue that ln(8x) = ln(8) + ln(x) ≈ ln(x) for large x, but that would require very large x indeed.
For example, if ln(x) > 20 ln(8), then x > 820 ~ 1017. So we keep the 8.
Taking the first derivative of (H.6.14) we find
P'
-1/2(x) ≈ 2
π ∂x[x-1/2 ln(8x)] = 2
π [ x-1/2 (1/x) - (1/2)x-3/2 ln(8x) ]
≈ 2
π x-3/2 [ 1 - (1/2)ln(8x)] . (H.6.16)
H.7 Limits of toroidal functions as z →1
From
NIST as x → 1 from above we have
(H.7.1)
Thus we conclude that
P
ν(x) → 1 x → 1 ( H . 7 . 2 )
which is a well known result. The Q function is more complicated. From NIST,
(H.7.3)
so the standard Q ν(x) function has this behavior
Qν(x) = -(1/2) ln(x-1) + [ (1/2)ln2 - γ - ψ(ν+1) ] x → 1+ . (H.7.4)
The first term shows logarithmic divergence as x → 1. The second term is a constant where γ is "Euler's
constant" (0.557) and ψ(x) ≡ ∂xlnΓ(x) is the psi function (the digamma function).
138
Setting ν = n-1/2 we find that
Pn-1/2 (x) → 1 x → 1
Qn-1/2 (x) → - 1
2 ln(x-1) + [ 1
2 ln2 - γ - ψ(n+1/2)] x → 1 . (H.7.5)
To obtain the behavior of P n-1/2 (x) near x = 1, we use (7.4.1)
P(ν,ξ) ≡ Pν(chξ) = (chξ)ν F(-ν /2, 1/2-ν/2; 1; th2ξ) (7.4.1)
where x = ch ξ. For small ξ we find, using F(a,b;c;z) ≈ 1 + (ab/c) z + O(z
2) and thξ ≈ ξ,
P(ν,ξ) ≈ (1 + ξ
2/2)ν [ 1 + (-ν/2)(1/2-ν/2) ξ2 ]
= (1 + νξ2/2)( 1 + (ν/2)(ν/2-1/2) ξ2
= 1 + [(1/2) ν + (1/4)ν(ν-1)]ξ2 = 1 + (1/4)[2 ν +ν(ν-1) ]ξ2 = 1 + (1/4)[ ν2+ν]ξ2
= 1 + (1/4) ν(ν+1)ξ
2 . ( H . 7 . 6 )
Then
Pn-1/2 (chξ) ≈ 1 + (1/4)(n-1/2)(n+1/2) ξ2
≈ 1 + (1/4) [n2 - 1/4]ξ2 ξ→ 0 . (H.7.7)
Setting z = ch ξ ≈ 1+ξ2/2 we have ξ2 ≈ 2(z-1) so then
P
n-1/2 (z) ≈ 1 + (1/2) [n2 - 1/4](z-1) . // z just above 1 (H.7.8)
Except for n = 0 the correction term is positive, therefore
P
n-1/2 (z) ≥ 1 as z → 1+ for n = 1,2...∞ ( H . 7 . 9 )
Application : Consider
T(z) ≡ z2 - 1 Σn=0∞ εn [Qn-1/2 (z) / Pn-1/2 (z)]
= z2 - 1 * 2 * [Q -1/2(z) / P-1/2(z)] + z2 - 1 Σn=1∞ εn [Qn-1/2 (z) / Pn-1/2 (z)] .
For z very close to 1 we install P -1/2(z) = 1 to get
T(z) ≈ z2 - 1 * 2 * Q -1/2(z) + z2 - 1 Σn=1∞ εn [Qn-1/2 (z) / Pn-1/2 (z)] .
139 But for n > 0 we know from (H.7.9) that P n-1/2 (z) ≥ 1, so [1/ P n-1/2 (z)] ≤ 1. Therefore,
T(z) ≤ z2 - 1 * 2 * Q -1/2(z) + z2 - 1 Σn=1∞ εn [Qn-1/2 (z) ]
or T(1) ≤ lim
z→1+ ( z2 - 1 Σn=0∞ εn [Qn-1/2 (z)] )
or
T(1) ≤ 2 limz→1+ ( z-1 Σn=0∞ εn [Qn-1/2 (z)] ) . (H.7.10)
In (I.2.17) it is shown that
Σn=0∞ εn z -1 Qn-1/2 (z) = (π /2 ) (I.2.17)
and therefore we may conclude that T(1) ≤ π . ( H . 7 . 1 1 )
In (I.3.14) we find that T(1) ≈ 2.74 which meets this inequality.
H.8 Alternate series for T(z) near z = 1
From
NIST the Wronskian of the P and Q soluti ons of the Legendre equation is given by.
(H.8.1)
so that
W{P ν(z),Qν(z)} = 1/(1-z2) = Pν(z) Q 'ν(z) - P' ν(z) Qν(z) . (H.8.2)
Now consider the series
T(z) ≡ z2 - 1 Σn=0∞ εn [Qn-1/2 (z) / Pn-1/2 (z)]
=
z2 - 1 f(z) f(z) ≡ Σn=0∞ εn [Qn-1/2 (z) / Pn-1/2 (z)] . (H.8.3)
The derivative of f(z) is given by,
f '(z) = Σ
n=0∞ εn [Pn-1/2 (z) Q'n-1/2 (z) - Qn-1/2 (z) P'n-1/2 (z)] / [ P n-1/2 (z)]2
= Σ
n=0∞ εn [ 1/(1-z2) ] / [ Pn-1/2 (z)]2 // (H.8.2)
= - (z
2-1)-1 Σn=0∞ εn 1/ [ Pn-1/2 (z)]2 . (H.8.4)
140 Then
T'(z) = ( z2 - 1 )' f(z) + z2 - 1 f '(z)
= ( z /
z2 - 1 ) f(z) + z2 - 1 ( - (z2-1)-1 Σn=0∞ εn 1/ [ Pn-1/2 (z)]2 )
= ( 1 /
z2 - 1 ) [ z f(z) - Σn=0∞ εn 1/ [ Pn-1/2 (z)]2 ] (H.8.5)
so that
z2 - 1 T'(z) = z f(z) - Σn=0∞ εn 1/ [ Pn-1/2 (z)]2 . (H.8.6)
In the limit z →1, assuming T'(z) is not infinite, this says
0 = f(z) - Σn=0∞ εn 1/ [ Pn-1/2 (z)]2
or f(z) = Σ
n=0∞ εn 1/ [ Pn-1/2 (z)]2 . // for z very close to 1 (H.8.7)
Then from (H.8.3),
T(z) =
z2 - 1 f(z) = z2 - 1 Σn=0∞ εn 1
[Pn-1/2 (z)]2 for z very close to 1 . (H.8.8)
141 Appendix I. Capacitance in the thin-wire and horn torus limits
I.1 The torus thin wire limit R →0
Below we sh
all study the following abstract dimensionless function,
T(z) ≡ z2 - 1 Σn=0∞ εn [Qn-1/2 (z) / Pn-1/2 (z)] εn = 2-δn,0 . (I.1.1)
Our interest in T(z) stems from its rela tion to the toroidal capacitance when z = ρc/R,
T(ρc/R) ≡ (ρc/R)2 - 1 Σn=0∞ εn [Qn-1/2 (ρc/R) / Pn-1/2 (ρc/R)]
= (1/R)( π/2) { (2/π)
ρc2 - R2 Σn=0∞ εn [Qn-1/2 (ρc/R) / Pn-1/2 (ρc/R)] }
= ( π/2R) C . // from (10.4.6) (I.1.2)
It will be convenient to set ρc = 1 and write C in the following two ways,
C(R) = R (2/ π) T(1/R)
C(R) = (2/ π) 1-R2 Σn=0∞ εn [Qn-1/2 (1/R) / P n-1/2 (1/R)] . (I.1.3)
Our corresponding picture (10.4.4) with ρc = 1 is now this,
(I.1.4)
The "thin-wire limit" is the limit R → 0. We first separate out the n = 0 term in (I.1.3) while also setting
1-R2 → 1 as R →0,
C(R) = (2/ π) Q-1/2(1/R) / P -1/2(1/R) + (4/ π) Σn=1∞ [Qn-1/2 (1/R) / P n-1/2 (1/R)] . (I.1.5)
Note that we really set ρc2-R2 → ρc so there is an invisible overall ρc = 1 factor in the above equation
which gives it the dimension of length. If ρc = 10 cm, one would multiple the above C(R) by 10. As usual
for SI units one must add an overall factor of 4 πε.
142 Using the small-R Q/P ratios given in (H.6.15) and (H.6.7) one finds that for very small R,
C(R) = (2/ π) { (π2/2) 1/ln(8/R) } + (4/ π) Σn=1∞ π Γ2(n+1/2)
Γ(n)Γ(n+1) (2/R)-2n .
= π /ln(8/R) + 4 Σ
n=1∞ Γ2(n+1/2)
Γ(n)Γ(n+1) (2/R)-2n . ( I . 1 . 6 )
As R→0, (2/R)-2n → 0 quickly even for small n, whereas the n = 0 log term lingers, so for very small R
one can approximate
C(R) ≈ π / ln(8/R) ≡ C0(R) . (I.1.7)
Here is a plot of C(R) in (I.1.3) for R ranging from 10
-16 to ~1, where we use 20 terms in the sum. The
plot also shows C 0 = π / ln(8/R) (blue) for comparison :
(I.1.8)
The plot shows how gradually capacitance decreases as the wire radius becomes extremely small. It also
shows how the n = 0 term completely dominates the result for R < 10-3. Maple has trouble plotting the
full C series for very small R beyond that shown above, but we can plot C 0 to get a result,
143
(I.1.9)
Here as the wire radius drops 60 orders of ma gnitude, the capacitance drops from 0.3 to .03 .
Thin-wire Capacitance from a simple Arm-waving Analysis
In the thin-wire limit of the torus, where R << ρc, one can make the following simple but somewhat arm-
waving model. Very close to the thin wire, the wire looks like an infinitely long straight wire. The
solution to that problem is a solution to the 2D Laplace equation for a line charge λ, and one finds outside
such a wire that
V(r) = 2 λ ln(1/r) + k // very close to the wire (I.1.10)
(Purcell p 43, cgs units) where k is a constant. The "2" in this equation is not arbitrary, just as the "1" in
the 3D point charge potential V = 1/r is not arbitrary. Evaluation of (I.1.10) at the wire surface gives
V
0 = V(R) = 2 λ ln(1/R) + k . (I.1.11)
The potential at the torus center is the same as that of a point charge 2 πρ
cλ located distance ρc from the
center, and that potential is then
Vcenter = (2πρcλ)/ρc = 2πλ . ( I . 1 . 1 2 )
Now we imagine that (I.1.10) is also valid at the cente r of the thin-wire torus, even though that point is
not really "close to the wire". One finds, evaluating (I.1.10) at this center point and then using (I.1.12),
V(ρ
c) = 2λ ln(1/ρc) + k = 2πλ . ( I . 1 . 1 3 )
Now setting ρc = 1 with R << 1 we find that k = 2 πλ. Then from (I.1.11) the pote ntial at the torus surface
is
144 V0 = V(R) = 2 λ ln(1/R) + 2 πλ = 2λ [ ln(1/R) + π ] = 2λ [ ln(1/R) + ln(eπ) ]
= 2λ ln(eπ/ R ) . ( I . 1 . 1 4 )
Now ignoring the potential form (I.1.10) which we applie d as far away as the center of the torus, we claim
that very far from the torus the potential is V = "q/r" = 2 πλ/r and so V( ∞) = 0. Somehow we are dealing
with multiple scales of largeness in this model. Then the torus is at potential V 0 relative to infinity, and
we can then compute the capacitance from Q = CV 0 using (I.1.14) to get
C = Q/V 0 = (2πλ)/[ 2λ ln(eπ/R)] = π / ln(eπ/R) ≈ π / ln(23/R) . (I.1.15)
We compare this to (I.1.7), C(R) ≈ π / l n ( 8 / R ) . (I.1.7)
If ln(1/R) >> ln(8) and ln(23) then both results say C(R) = π / ln(1/R) and they agree. Again, ρ
c = 1.
Thin-wire Capacitance from an Ev en Simpler Arm-waving Analysis
Here we shall compare a sphere and a torus.
A sphere has area 4 πR
2 and surface charge σ = Q/(4πR2). The outpointing radial electric field just outside
the surface (in cgs units) is E = 4 πσ = Q/R2. Further out E(r) = Q/r2. The potential is then
V(r) = ∫r ∞ E(r')dr' = Q ∫r ∞ dr'/r'2 = Q/r, and V 0 = Q/R
⇒ C = R . ( I . 1 . 1 6 )
A torus has area 4 π2ρcR and surface charge σ = Q/(4π2ρcR). The outpointing radial electric field just
outside the surface is E = 4 πσ = Q/(πρcR). Further out, to some distance R max not too large compared
with ρc, E(r) = Q/(πρ cr). The potential is then
V(r) = ∫r ∞ E(r')dr' = (Q/π ) ∫r Rmax dr'/r' = (Q/ π) ln(Rmax/r), and V 0 = (Q/π) ln(Rmax/R)
⇒ C = π / ln(Rmax/R) ≈ π/ ln(1/R) . (I.1.17)
We ignore the region beyond r = R max because E is small there, stored energy is small, and its
contribution to capacitance is small. Fo r very small R the result is then C = π / ln(1/R).
In both cases, as R → 0 the capacitance C → 0. The approach C → 0 is much faster for the sphere than for
the torus. For the sphere, the charge is all jammed into one point which makes the potential V 0 very large
and C = Q/V 0 is small. For the torus the charge can sp read itself around much better on the thin ring,
145 resulting in a smaller potential and larger C. In the limit R = 0 one can imagine that the charge Q is still
present (point charge, line charge), but V = ∞ so C = 0.
I.2 Warm-up exercises to prepare for the degene rate torus limit
An example with elementary functions
Consider the following relatively simple series on the closed interval [0,1] ,
S(x) = Σk=0∞ x e-2kx . ( I . 2 . 1 )
The series has the following "partial sum" where k stops at n,
Sn(x) = Σk=0n x e-2kx . ( I . 2 . 2 )
Notice in passing that
S
n(0) = lim x→0 Sn(x) = Σk=0n limx→0{ x e-2kx} = Σk=0n {0) = 0 . (I.2.3)
The partial sum (I.2.2) contains a geometric series and can easily be summed. Maple does it :
(I.2.4)
Rewrite the result multiplying top and bottom by e-x,
Sn(x) = - x e-2xn-x - ex
-e-x+ ex = - x e-(2n+1)x - ex
2sh(x) . ( I . 2 . 5 )
One can again verify from this form that S n(0) = 0.
With this simple closed form expression for the partial sum, one finds that the full sum S(x) is
S(x) = lim
n→∞ Sn(x) = x ex
2sh(x) . ( I . 2 . 6 )
Taking the limit x→0 gives S(0) = 1/2 . (I.2.7)
146 Here then is The Issue : consider these two limits:
limn→∞ {limx→0 Sn(x)} = lim n→∞{0} = 0
limx→0 {limn→∞ Sn(x)} = lim x→0{S(x)} = S(0) = 1/2 . (I.2.8)
Interchanging the order of these two limits produces di fferent results. As one learns in calculus courses,
the reason for this is that the series S(x) = Σk=0∞ x e-2kx fails to be uniformly convergent on [0,1],
having in particular a problem at the x = 0 endpoint. There are several ways to show a priori that a series is or is not uniformly convergent on an interval [0,1]
where 0 is a potential problem point. If one knows S(0), as is the case in the above example wh ere S(0) = 1/2, then one can check to see if the
following is true,
lim
n→∞ || S(x) - S n(x)|| → 0 as n→ ∞ for all x in [0,1] ⇔ uniform convergence . (I.2.9)
Here the notation ||f(x)|| means the "max norm" of f(x) which is the maximum value of |f(x)| on the
interval in question. In our example, we have from (I.2.6) and (I.2.5),
S(x) - S
n(x) = x e-(2n+1)x
2sh(x) . ( I . 2 . 1 0 )
By plotting the function for some value of n, or by studying it a bit, one finds that the max of |S(x) - S n(x)|
occurs at the left endpoint x = 0. Thus we have,
|| S(x) - S n(x)|| = S(0) - S n(0) = 1/2 - 0 = 1/2.
and so
lim
n→∞ || S(x) - S n(x)|| = 1/2 . (I.2.11)
Since lim
n→∞ || S(x) - S n(x)|| does not approach 0, we conclude that S(x) is not uniformly convergent on
the interval [0,1] and therefore we should expect to have the order interchange problem noted in (I.2.8).
Another way to check for uniform continuity is the check this condition (the Cauchy Property),
lim
n,m→∞ | Sm(x) - Sn(x)| = 0 for all x in [0,1] (I.2.12)
This has a formal definition that for any ε > 0 one can find N such that, for all x in [0,1], | S m(x) - Sn(x)| <
ε as long as both n and m are > N, and N is not allowed to depend on x.
If S(x) is not known, one can use this Cauchy test to check for uniform convergence, but it can take a lot
of work since there are three variables at pl ay: x, n, m. In our example one has
147
Sn(x) = - x e-(2n+1)x - ex
2sh(x) (I.2.5)
so
Sn(x) - Sm(x) = - x e-(2n+1)x
2sh(x) + x e-(2m+1)x
2sh(x) = x
2sh(x) [ e-(2m+1)x - e-(2n+1)x ] . (I.2.13)
In this example, one can take m = ∞ and then run the Cauchy test on
Sn(x) - S∞(x) = S n(x) - S(x) = x
2sh(x) [ e-(2n+1)x ] . (I.2.14)
As long as x > 0 one finds that | S m(x) - S∞(x)| → 0 as n → ∞. But if x = 0,
Sn(x) - S∞(x) = x
2sh(x) [ e-(2n+1)x ] |x=0 = (1/2) (I.2.15)
and thus the Cauchy test fails and the seri es is not uniformly convergent on [0,1].
Graphically, it is useful to see what happens for this example series near x = 0 for some finite number of
terms in the sum (I.2.1). Using the code (I.2.4) we plot S
n(x) for various small x ranges for n = 10, 100,
10000, and 1,000,000 :
(I.2.16)
148 The lower right plot is particularly interesting. If we had no idea that S(0) = 1/2 from doing the above
analysis, that graph alone would be very convincing ev idence that S(0) is extremely close to 0.5. The last
three plots are "aiming at 1/2" with increasing targeting precision. In the degenerate torus limit studied in the next section, the series is more complicated and we don't know
how to add up the full series to get the limit, so we are going to use this "aiming method" to determine the
limit numerically.
The Q Sum Rule Example
As a second warm-up exercise, recall (10.1.8a),
(1/π)
2/b Σk=0∞ εk Qk-1/2 (a/b) cos(kx) = 1/ a - b cos(x) . // expansion (10.1.8a)
Setting a = z, b = 1 and x = 0 we find that
(1/π)
2 Σk=0∞ εk Qk-1/2 (z) = 1/ z -1 εk = 2-δk,0
which we rewrite as the following "sum rule" which is valid for all z ≥ 1 :
S(z) ≡ Σk=0∞ εk z -1 Qk-1/2 (z) = (π/2 ) = 2.221441469 . (I.2.17)
This series has the following partial sum
S
n(z) = Σk=0n εk z -1 Qk-1/2 ( z ) . ( I . 2 . 1 8 )
Near z = 1 we know from (H.7.5) that Q
k-1/2 (z) ≈ c1 ln(z-1) + c 2
where c1 and c2 are constants. Letting
δ ≡ z - 1
then
S
n(1+δ) ≈ Σk=0n εk δ [ c1 ln(δ) + c2 ] ( I . 2 . 1 9 )
and then
S
n(1) = 0 // since δ ln(δ) → 0 . (I.2.20)
If the series (I.2.17) were uniformly convergent at z = 1, one would conclude that
149 S(1) = lim n→∞ Sn(1) = lim n→∞ {0} = 0 .
But (I.2.17) says S(1) = 2.22, so one must conclude that the series is not uniformly convergent at z = 1.
Suppose one were unaware of the nature of the sum of this series. At first glance, it is certainly not
obvious that S(z) is constant in z, but consider a simple plot,
(I.2.21)
So adding only 31 terms, it certainly appears that S(z) is a constant, and that constant is near 2.21.
If we zoom in on the left edge of the above plot , since we are adding a finite number of terms, and
since S
n(1) = 0, the plot has to dive down to the origin at some point,
(I.2.22)
One can prop it back up a bit by increasing the number of terms in the sum, but still being a finite sum it will take the dive at some point just above z = 1. If one is looking for the limit S(1) one wants to ignore
this diving part of the curve and see where one thinks the curve is "aiming", as in the unzoomed previous
plot (I.2.21). The second example is in fact quite close to the situati on below for the degenerate torus limit, but in that
case we don't know the limit S(z=1) and we tr y to find it by the "aiming method".
150
I.3 Capacitance of a degenerate torus (horn torus)
With ρc = 1, the capacitance of a torus was given in (I.1.3) as
C(R) = R (2/ π) T ( 1 / R ) (I.1.3) (I.3.1)
w h e r e
(I.3.2)
T(z) = z2 - 1 Σn=0∞ εn [Qn-1/2 (z) / Pn-1/2 (z)] εn = 2-δn,0 . (I.1.1) (I.3.3)
When R = 1, the hole in the torus just goes away. This situation represents a "degenerate" torus,
sometimes called a "horn" torus,
(I.3.4)
The capacitance of such a torus with ρc = 1 and R = 1 is, from (I.3.1) and (I.3.3),
C(1) = (2/ π) T ( 1 )
where
T(1) = lim
z→1 {z2 - 1 Σn=0∞ εn [Qn-1/2 (z) / Pn-1/2 (z)] } . (I.3.5)
The series T(z) shown in (I.3.3) is not uniformly convergent (see Section I.2 above) on the range z ≥ 1
due to the left endpoint z = 1. Thus, to compute C(R=1) = (2/ π) T(1), we cannot take lim z→1 through the
summation symbol. If we could do so, we would find that, setting δ = z-1,
T(1) = Σn=0∞ εn limz→1 { z2 - 1 [Qn-1/2 (z) / Pn-1/2 (z)] }
= Σn=0∞ εn limδ→0 { 2δ [ (c1 ln(δ) + c2) / 1 ] = 0 . (I.3.6)
151 Here we use the fact (H.7.2) that P n-1/2 (z) → 1 and (H.7.5) that Q n-1/2 (z) → c1 ln(δ) + c2 . We know
the degenerate torus does not have 0 capacitance, and fro m this fact alone we may conclude that the series
is not uniformly convergent on z ≥ 1.
If we could evaluate the T(z) sum shown in (I.3.3) in terms of known elementary and special functions,
we could take the limit of that result to get T(1), as was possible in both our examples (I.2.6) and (I.2.17).
But we don't know how to do such an evaluation. For example, we don't know of any integral
representations for the function 1/ P n-1/2 (z). If one exists, it could be used with an integral representation
of Qn-1/2 (z) to possibly allow computation of the infin ite sum in (I.3.3), and then maybe the resulting
double integration could be reduced to known specia l functions. We leave this as a problem for the
interested reader. As discussed in the examples of Section I.2, one appr oach to obtaining a value for T(1) is the "aiming
method", and this does give reasonable results.
But first, we can obtain a simple upper bound for T(1). As shown in (H.7.9), 1/ P
n-1/2 (z) ≤ 1 for z just
above 1, and therefore, setting z2 - 1 ≈ 2 (z-1),
T(1) ≤ 2 limz→1 {z - 1 Σn=0∞ εn [Qn-1/2 (z)] } . (I.3.7)
But (I.2.17) says the sum in {...} is π/2 for any z ≥ 1 so we conclude that
T(1) ≤ π ≈ 3.14 . (I.3.8)
Now, taking z = ch ξ in (I.3.3), we plot T(ch ξ) as ξ→ 0 with 600 terms in search of a value for T(1) :
(I.3.9)
152 With a crude superposed visual fit (black circular seg ment) the red curve seems to be aiming at this point:
2.734 + (3.25/5)(.002) = 2.734 + 0.0013 = 2.7353 . (I.3.10) As shown in the example of (I.2.16), for a finite number of terms in the sum, the plot must dive down to 0
at the very end, and we must ignore that dive in our "aiming method". It is difficult to get a more accurate value because adding more terms greatly slows down the calculation due to the Q function being near a singularity. In (H.8 .8) we derive an alternate series for T(z) which is
valid only for z very close to 1,
T(z) =
z2 - 1 Σn=0∞ εn 1
[Pn-1/2 (z)]2 z → 1 (I.3.11)
Using this series, we zoom in on the T(1) limit with the following code,
(I.3.12)
The code divides the interval ξ = 0 to ξ = .001 into 6 points and computes T(ch ξ) for each point using
60,000 terms of the 1/P
2 series (I.3.11). The following is a plot of the six ( ξ, T(chξ)) points,
153
(I.3.13)
The leftmost point is probably the most correct, giving the following estimated value for T(1),
T(1) = 2.7353537±1 . (I.3.14) where ±1 refers to the error in the least significant digit. Therefore, the capacitance of a degenera te torus of radius R = 1 cm is
C(1) = (2/ π) T(1) = 1.7413802±1 cm . (I.3.15)
154 Appendix J. The Fourier Cosine Series Transform and the Mehler-Fock Transform
Since Morse and Feshbach see
m to have an error on this topic (as noted below), and since they have so
few errors, we treat this subject very carefully and systematically.
J.1 Regular boundary value problems and associated transforms
In the general theor
y of the "regular boundary va lue problem" (also known as the regular Sturm-Liouville
problem, see Stakgold Section 4.2), one has second order differential operators L and L λ of the form
L = -∂ x[p(x)∂x] + q(x)
L
λ = L - λs ( x ) ( J . 1 . 1 )
where p,q,s and ∂xp are real continuous functions on some fin ite interval (a,b) and p and s are positive on
that interval. The function s(x) is a "weight functio n" which is 1 in many cases. The boundary conditions
at the endpoints a and b must be "unmixed" with real coefficients. There are three differential equations of interest,
L
λφ = 0 or Lφ = λs(x)φ // the eigenvalue problem ( λ = eigenvalue)
L
λg(x|ξ;λ) = δ(x-ξ) // the free-space Green's Function problem for L λ
L
λu = f . // equation one wants to solve for u (J.1.2)
The unmixed boundary conditions can be written.
α
1h(a) + α2h'(a) = 0
β1h(b) + β2h ' ( b ) = 0 ( J . 1 . 3 )
where α
i and βi are real, and where h is any of the functions φ, g or u.
The theory shows that the eigenvalues must be r eal, must have a discrete spectrum, and that the
eigenfunctions must be orthogona l with weight s(x). The eigenvalue problem is then written
Lφn(x) = λns(x)φn(x) . (J.1.4)
The scale of φ
n(x) is of course not set by this equatio n, so one can adjust the scale of each φ n(x) so that
the φn(x) are orthonormal on (a,b), where a and b are finite,
∫a b dx s(x) φ¯n(x) φm(x) = δn,m ( J . 1 . 5 )
where the overbar indicates complex conjugation.
155 As Stakgold shows in (4.43), the complete ness of the eigenfunctions is given by
s(x) Σn φn(x) φ¯n(ξ) = δ(x-ξ) . // Stakgold (4.43) (J.1.6)
Defining the inner product of two functions as (physics convention)
<f,g> ≡ ∫a b dx f¯ ( x ) g ( x ) ( J . 1 . 7 )
one can write the orthonormality of the eigenfunctions as
< s φn, s φm> = δn,m . ( J . 1 . 8 )
It turns out that the Green's Function g(x| ξ;λ) can be written as an expansion on the eigenfunctions (after
all, the eigenfunctions form a complete set),
g(x|ξ;λ) = Σ
n φn(x) φ¯n(ξ)/(λn- λ) // Stakgold (4.42) (J.1.9)
and that the solution of L λu = f is given by,
u(x) = ∫a b dx g(x|ξ;λ) f(ξ)dξ // Stakgold page 273 top
= Σn <f,φn> / (λn-λ) . // Stakgold (4.41) (J.1.10)
An obvious simplification is to define new functions ψ
n
ψn ≡ s φn ( J . 1 . 1 1 )
and then one has
∫a b dx ψ¯n(x) ψm(x) = δn,m // orthogonality
Σn ψn(x) ψ¯n(ξ) = δ(x-ξ) . // completeness (J.1.12)
Now expand a function f(x) on this complete set of basis functions,
f(x) = Σ
m fm ψm( x ) .
Apply ∫a b dx ψ¯n(x) to "project out" the coefficients f n.
∫a b dx ψ¯n(x) f(x) = Σm fm ∫a b dx ψ¯n(x)ψm(x) = Σm fm δn,m = fn .
156
Thus our transform may be summarized as
f(x) = Σ
n fn ψn(x) // expansion
fn = ∫a b dx ψ¯n(x) f(x) . // projection (J.1.13)
Stakgold goes on to discuss the singular boundary value problem where endpoints a and/or b might be
infinite, or where p(x) might vanish in (a,b), or where some other condition of the regular problem is
violated. Our main concern however are is this set of results for the regular problem, as derived above :
f(x) = Σn fnψn(x) // expansion
fn = ∫a b dx ψ¯n(x) f(x) // projection
∫a b dx ψ¯n(x) ψm(x) = δn,m // orthogonality
Σn ψn(x) ψ¯n(ξ) = δ(x-ξ) . // completeness (J.1.14)
In the singular case the spectrum of the eigenvalues is usually continuous but can include a discrete part.
In the Mehler-Fock transform, studied below in S ection J.5, the spectrum is all continuous and the
eigenvalues are labeled by the continuous variable τ in the range (0, ∞).
J.2 The Fourier Cosine Series Transform
This should
not be confused with the Fourier Co sine Integral Transform which has interval (0, ∞).
For the Fourier Cosine Series Transfor m we apply the above theory where
variable x = θ
interval = (a,b) = (0, π)
boundary conditions: h'(0) = 0 and h'( π) = 0
weight function s( θ) = 1
differential operator L = - ∂
θ2 so p(θ) = 1 and q( θ) = 0
eigenvalue spectrum: λ
n = n2 where n = 0,1,2....
orthonormal eigenfunctions = ψn(θ) = εn/π cos(nθ) where εn = 2 - δn,0 . (J.2.1)
157 Notice the in the last line a bove the appearance of factor εn which equals 1 when n = 0, but equals 2
otherwise. This factor appears in the eigenfunctions because it is necessary to make them be orthonormal.
The n = 0 case is different from all the other cases due to this fact,
For n = 1,2,.... the integral is clearly π/2, but for n = 0 the integrand is just 1 so the integral is π. For
example,
One then writes
∫0 π dθ cos(nθ)cos(mθ) = (π/εn)δn,m ( J . 2 . 2 )
and then the eigenfunctions ψn(θ) = εn/π cos(nθ) are orthonormal (and they are real),
∫0 π dθ ψn(θ)ψm(θ) = δn,m . ( J . 2 . 3 )
Expanding a real function f( θ) on the ψn(θ) we get from (J.1.13),
f(θ ) = Σ
n fn ψn(θ) // expansion
fn = ∫a b dx ψn(θ) f(x) // projection (J.2.4)
or
f(θ ) = εn/π Σn fncos(nθ)
fn = εn/π ∫0 π dx cos(nθ) f(θ) . ( J . 2 . 5 )
Defining a n by
εn/π fn = (1/2)εn an a n = 2/πεn fn f n = (1/2) πεn an (J.2.6)
the equations (J.2.5) are written in a more traditional Fourier Series manner,
158
f(θ ) = (1/2) Σn εnancos(nθ) = a0/2 + Σn=1∞ ancos(nθ)
an = (2/π) ∫0 π dx cos(nθ ) f(θ) . ( J . 2 . 7 )
The simple factor εn = 2 - δn,0 is usually called "the Neumann factor" (see etymology below).
After the above very long-winded introduction, we finall y arrive at a full statement of the Fourier Cosine
Series Transform,
f(θ ) = a
0/2 + Σn=1∞ an cos(nθ) = (1/2) Σn=0∞ εn an cos(nθ) // expansion
an = (2/π) ∫0 π dθ f(θ) cos(nθ) // projection
∫0 π dθ cos(nθ)cos(n'θ) = (π/εn) δnn' // orthogonality
Σn=0∞
(εn/π) cos(nθ)cos(nθ') = δ (θ-θ') . // completeness (J.2.8)
As a verification (not a derivation) of these results, consider
f(θ ) = (1/2) Σ
n=0∞ εn an cos(nθ)
= (1/2) Σn=0∞ εn [(2/π) ∫0 π dθ' f(θ') cos(nθ')] cos(nθ)
= ∫0 π dθ' f(θ') [ Σn=0∞ (εn/π) cos(nθ')cos(nθ) ] // now use completeness
= ∫0 π dθ' f(θ') δ(θ-θ') = f(θ) . (J.2.9)
where we assume uniform convergence, see Se ction I.2 Going the other direction
an = (2/π) ∫0 π dθ f(θ) cos(nθ)
= (2/ π) ∫0 π dθ [ (1/2) Σm=0∞ εm am cos(mθ)] cos(nθ)
= Σm=0∞ (εm/π) am [ ∫0 π dθ cos(mθ)cos(nθ) ] // now use orthogonality
= Σm=0∞ (εm/π) am (π/εm) δnm = an . ( J . 2 . 1 0 )
159 J.3 Application to f( θ) = ( a-bcosθ )1/2
Consider the function
f(θ ) = 1/
a - b cosθ . ( J . 3 . 1 )
The projection coefficients a n are then given from (J.2.8),
an = (2/π) ∫0 π dθ f(θ) cos(nθ)
= ( 2 / π) ∫0 π dθ cos(nθ) / a - b cosθ . (J.3.2)
This seemingly simple integral, the Fourier Cosine Series Transform of 1/ a - b cosθ , does not appear in
the expected places. Armed with a premonition of the result, we start with the following integral
representation of the Q νμ(z) function appearing on GR7 p 961 (also Bateman EH I p 156 (10) ) ,
( J . 3 . 3 )
We simultaneously set μ = 0 and ν = n-1/2. Since cos( νπ) = cos(nπ-π/2) = cos( π/2-nπ) = sin(nπ) = 0, the
entire second term conveniently vanishes, leaving us with
Q
n-1/2 (z) = (1/ 2 ) ∫0 π dt cos(nt)/ z -cost . (J.3.4)
Therefore
Qn-1/2 (a/b) = (1/ 2 ) ∫0 π dt cos(nt) 1
(a/b) -cost * b
b
= b/2 ∫0 π dt cos(nt) 1
a -bcost
and so
∫0 π dθ cos(nθ) / a - b cosθ = 2/b Qn-1/2 (a/b) . (J.3.5)
The projection coefficients (J.3.2) are therefore
160 an = (2/π ) 2/b Qn-1/2 (a/b) . (J.3.6)
The corresponding expansion from (J.2.8) is then
1/
a - b cosθ = (1/2) Σn=0∞ εn an cos(nθ)
= (1/2) (2/ π) 2/b Σn=0∞ εn Qn-1/2 (a/b) cos(n θ)
= ( 1 / π)
2/b Σn=0∞ εn Qn-1/2 (a/b) cos(n θ) . (J.3.7)
One thus arrives at the transform pair (J.3.7) and (J.3.5),
1/
a - b cos(x) = (1/ π) 2/b Σn=0∞ εn Qn-1/2 (a/b) cos(nx) // expansion
∫0 π dx cos(nx)/ a - b cos(x) = 2/b Qn-1/2 (a/b) // projection (J.3.8)
which we quote as (10.1.8) in Section 10. If in the expansion one sets b = 1, a = cosh μ and x = η the result is
1
cosh μ - cos η = 2
π Σn=0∞ εn Qn-1/2 (cosh μ) cos(nη) . (J.3.9)
It is in this expansion that Morse and Feshbach omit the Neumann factor on page 1304
// wrong
and this then leads to the omission of the same εn factor in the potential for the torus which we quote
below (10.1.11). Morse and Feshbach define their "toroidal harmonics" Q
m
n-1/2 (chμ) on page 1329. This seems to be
a multiple of their general Q-m
n-1/2 (z) on page 1327. In any event, when m = 0 their functions Q n-1/2 (z)
seem to be the same as Bateman so there is nothing unusual going on for n = 0. So we can rule out something in the definition of Q
n-1/2 as explaining the above ε n problem.
A simple application of the expansion (J.3.8) is a representation of the potential 1/R of a unit point charge in cylindrical coordinates ρ,z,φ. It is easy to show that
1/R ≡ 1/|r-r'| = 1/
ρ2 + ρ'2 - 2ρρ' cos(φ-φ') + (z-z' )2 . (J.3.10)
Now define
161 a = ρ2 + ρ'2 + (z-z' )2 a/b = ( ρ2 + ρ'2 + (z-z' )2)/(2ρρ')
b = 2ρρ' 2/b = 1/ ρρ' ( J . 3 . 1 1 )
x = φ-φ'
and use (J.3.8) so that
1
R = 1
a - b cos(x) = 1
π 2b Σn=0∞ εn Qn-1/2 ( a
b ) cos(nx)
= 1
π 1
ρρ' Σn=0∞ εn Qn-1/2 ( ρ2 + ρ'2 + (z-z' )2
2ρρ' ) cos[n(φ-φ')] . (J.3.12)
This result appears in Snow (1952) p. 229, where his εm is half our Neumann factor,
( J . 3 . 1 3 )
Comment on the Typewriter :
(J.3.13) is the way one had to write equations into hand-typed papers prior to the advent of "desktop
publishing". One could type Latin letters with a type writer, but Greek letters had to be handwritten in
(perhaps the opposite was true for Greek authors). No w with a nice Word normal.dot file (the secret
sauce) the author can quickly type the above with a single keystroke for each glyph, more or less, as demonstrated in (J.3.12). This is progress. Comment on the Neumann Factor.
Morse and Feshbach (1953) refer to εn by that name on page 1274,
In his Treatise "The Theory of Bessel Functi ons" (1944), Watson uses the term on page 22,
and there we see a reference back to Neumann's 1867 Theory of the Bessel Functions , page 9,
162
(http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k99615p ) so presumably this is the source of the usage. Incidentally,
the latter equation involves "Neumann's polynomials" O n(z) and appears in NIST as
J.4 The Q2 and QQ' sums
Derive the following sums:
Σ
n=0∞ εn [Qn-1/2 (z)]2 = (π2/2)1
z2-1 ( J . 4 . 1 )
Σn=0∞ εn Qn-1/2 (z) Q'n-1/2 (z) = -(π2/4) z (z2-1)-3/2 . (J.4.2)
As far as we know, these series do not a ppear in any standard references.
Start with the Q function integral representation (J.3.4),
Q
n-1/2 (z) = (1/ 2 ) ∫0 π dt cos(nt)/ z - c o s t . (J.3.4)
Then
Σ
n=0∞ εn [Qn-1/2 (z)]2 = (1/2) Σn=0∞ εn ∫0 π dt cos(nt)/ z -cost ∫0 π dt' cos(nt')/ z -cost'
= ( 1 / 2 ) ∫0 π dt ∫0 π dt' 1
z -cost z -cost' [ Σn=0∞ εn cos(nt)cos(nt') ] . (J.4.3)
The sum here is recognized as the Fourier Cosine Series Transform completeness relation which is the
last line of (J.2.8),
Σ
n=0∞
(εn/π) cos(nθ)cos(nθ) = δ (θ-θ') . // completeness (J.2.8)
Therefore
163
Σn=0∞ εn [Qn-1/2 (z)]2 = (1/2) ∫0 π dt ∫0 π dt' 1
z -cost z -cost' [ π δ(t-t') ]
= ( π/2) ∫0 π dt 1
z-cost = - (π/2) ∫0 π dt 1
-z+cost . (J.4.4)
Recall now (H.4.1),
∫0 π dx cos(nx) 1
b+cosx = (sign b)n+1 π
b2-1 (b2-1 - |b| )n b > 1 or b < - 1 . (H.4.1)
Set n = 0 and b = -z to get
∫0 π dx 1
-z+cosx = (-1)0+1 π
z2-1 = - π
z2-1 . (J.4.5)
Therefore
Σ
n=0∞ εn [Qn-1/2 (z)]2 = - (π/2) [- π
z2-1 ] = (π2/2) 1
z2-1 (J.4.6)
which is the result claimed in (J.4.1).
For numerical verification, we ente r the two allegedly equal functions
and then code for Q and ε,
164 Here then is a plot of f in red and g in blue,
(J.4.7)
Here we intentionally use a small number of te rms N = 5 so the curves can be distinguished.
Now differentiate the sum (J.4.6) as follows,
∂
z {Σn=0∞ εn [Qn-1/2 (z)]2} = ∂z[(π2/2) (z2-1)-1/2] = - (π2/2)z (z2-1)-3/2 . (J.4.8)
But the left side can be written
∂
z {Σn=0∞ εn [Qn-1/2 (z)]2} = Σn=0∞ εn ∂z[Qn-1/2 (z)]2 = 2 Σn=0∞ εn Qn-1/2 (z)Q'n-1/2 (z) (J.4.9)
Thus one arrives at the following sum :
Σ
n=0∞ εn Qn-1/2 (z)Q'n-1/2 (z) = -(π2/4) z (z2-1)-3/2
o r ( J . 4 . 1 0 ) Σ
n=0∞ εn Qn-1/2 (chξ)Q'n-1/2 (chξ) = -(π2/4) chξ / sh3ξ .
The first line is the claimed sum (J.4.2).
J.5 The Generalized Mehler-Fock Transform
Here the interval for z i
s (1,∞) so the associated boundary value probl em is singular and the spectrum is
continuous. We nevertheless can fit this transform into the context of Section J.1 above. First, we note
that Pνμ(z) and Q νμ(z) satisfy the Legendre equation
{- (z
2-1)∂z2 - 2z∂z + [ν(ν+1)+μ2/(z2-1)] } P νμ(z) = 0 . (J.5.1)
We then define the L operator of (J.1.1) to be
L = {- (z2-1)∂z2 - 2z∂z +μ2/(z2-1)] } . (J.5.2)
165 Then (J.5.1) says,
L P νμ(z) = -ν(ν+1)Pνμ(z) (J.5.3)
so the P
νμ(z) (and Q νμ(z)) are eigenfunctions of L with eigenvalues λν = -ν(ν+1). The parameter μ is just
a bystander parameter in the analysis.
Recall from (J.1.1) that
L = -∂
z[p(z)∂z] + q ( z ) . (J.1.1)
For our current Legendre problem we have
p(z) = (z
2-1) ∂zp(z) = 2z q = μ2/(z2-1) (J.5.4)
so that
[-∂
z[p(z)∂z] + q(z)] f = [- p(z) ∂z2f - (∂zp)∂z f + q(z) f]
= [ -(z
2 - 1) ∂z2f - 2z ∂zf + μ2/(z2-1)f ]
= [- (z
2 - 1) ∂z2 - 2z ∂z + μ2/(z2-1) ] f
= Lf with L as shown in (J.5.2) . (J.5.5)
So things fit pretty well into the mold of Section J. 1, except the problem is singular in that one of the
interval endpoints is infinite, and p(z) vanishes at the z = 1 endpoint.
For general values of ν, neither the functions P
νμ(z) nor Q νμ(z) are suitable oscillatory functions on the
interval z = (1, ∞). As shown in (H.6.1) the P νμ(z) diverge as zν, and from (H.7.3) the Q νμ(z) are singular
at z = 1. However, when one has ν = iτ-1/2, the P νμ(z) become suitable since they are finite at z = 1 and
since they are reasonable as z →∞ since Pμ
iτ-1/2(z) goes as z-1/2. The oscillatory P νμ(z) (at least for μ
= 0) are shown in Fig (7.4.5) and Fig (7.4.8) above. Thus, the Pμ
iτ-1/2(z) are candidates for being the
eigenfunctions of a Sturm-Liouville problem as discu ssed in Section J.1 above, and are thus associated
with a transform corresponding to that problem. That transform is the generalized Mehler-Fock
Transform. We continue with our comparison with Section J.1. For ν = iτ-1/2 we find ν(ν+1) = -(τ
2+1/4), so
L P
μ
iτ-1/2(z) = (τ2+1/4)Pμ
iτ-1/2(z) . (J.5.6)
The eigenvalues are then
λτ = τ2+ 1 / 4 ( J . 5 . 7 )
166 which shows that τ = 0 to ∞ covers the entire spectrum (no need for negative τ). We also see from (J.5.6)
and (J.1.2) that the weight function s(z) = 1.
Recall the orthonormality condition (J.1.5) ( * = complex conjugation) ,
∫a b dx s(x) φn(x)* φm(x) = δn,m . (J.1.5)
In the current context, the Pμ
iτ-1/2(z) are not properly normalized to be orthonormal, but they are
orthogonal as follows,
∫1 ∞ dz [Pμ
iτ-1/2(z)]* [Pμ
iτ'-1/2 (z)] = δ(τ-τ') / h(τ,μ) (J.5.8)
where
h(τ,μ) = (τ/π) sh(πτ ) Γ(1/2-μ+iτ) Γ(1/2-μ-iτ) (J.5.9)
which is a real quantity for real μ and τ. Note that we are just claiming that this is the correct
normalization factor, we have not proved that it is correct, and it is not easy to prove.
Since P
-ν-1(z) = P ν(z) for any ν (which follows from (J.5.3) ), we know that Pμ
iτ-1/2(z) = Pμ
-iτ-1/2(z).
Assuming that μ is real, and since z in (1, ∞) is real, we know that Pμ
iτ-1/2(z) is real, so we can remove
the asterisk in (J.5.8) to get
∫1 ∞ dz Pμ
iτ-1/2(z) Pμ
iτ'-1/2 (z) = δ(τ-τ') / h(τ,μ) . // orthogonality (J.5.10)
It is then easy to show that the statement of completeness must be
∫0 ∞ dτ h(τ,μ) Pμ
iτ-1/2(z) Pμ
iτ-1/2(z') = δ(z-z') . // completeness (J.5.11)
We could define some nor malized Mehler functions
P~μ
iτ-1/2(z) ≡ h(τ,μ) Pμ
iτ-1/2( z ) ( J . 5 . 1 2 )
and then our orthogonality and co mpleteness relations would be
∫1 ∞ dz P~μ
iτ-1/2(z) P~μ
iτ'-1/2 (z) = δ(τ-τ') // orthogonality
∫0 ∞ dτ P~μ
iτ-1/2(z) P~μ
iτ-1/2(z') = δ(z-z') // completeness (J.5.13)
in analogy with our two earlier equations for the case s(x) = 1 and φn(x) real,
167
∫a b dx φn(x) φm(x) = δn,m // orthogonality (J.1.5)
Σn φn(x) φn(ξ) = δ(x-ξ) . // completeness (J.1.6)
Making a simple choice of how to allocate the factor h( τ,μ), the transform associated with the above
Sturm-Liouville problem is the generalized Mehler-Fock transform (2.4.1),
g(y) =
∫0 ∞ dτ Pμ
iτ-1/2(y) f(τ) // expansion
f(τ ) = h(τ,μ) ∫1 ∞ dy Pμ
iτ-1/2(y) g(y) . // projection (2.4.1)
One can verify the transform in both directions as we did in (J.2.10) and (J.2.11):
g(y) =
∫0 ∞ dτ Pμ
iτ-1/2(y) f(τ) = ∫0 ∞ dτ Pμ
iτ-1/2(y) [ h(τ,μ) ∫1 ∞ dy' Pμ
iτ-1/2(y') g(y')]
= ∫1 ∞ dy' g(y') [ ∫0 ∞ dτ h(τ,μ) Pμ
iτ-1/2(y) Pμ
iτ-1/2(y') ] = ∫1 ∞ dy' g(y') δ (y-y') = g(y)
f(τ ) = h(τ ,μ) ∫1 ∞ dy Pμ
iτ-1/2(y) g(y) = h( τ,μ) ∫1 ∞ dy Pμ
iτ-1/2(y) [ ∫0 ∞ dτ' Pμ
iτ'-1/2 (y) f(τ')]
= ∫0 ∞ dτ' f(τ') h(τ,μ) { ∫1 ∞ dy Pμ
iτ-1/2(y)Pμ
iτ'-1/2 (y)}
= ∫0 ∞ dτ' f(τ') h(τ,μ) { δ(τ-τ') / h(τ,μ)} = ∫0 ∞ dτ' f(τ') δ(τ-τ') = f(τ) . (J.5.14)
but note that this verification works for any function h( τ,μ) and thus does not determine that function.
We then summarize the generalized Mehl er Fock transform in this manner:
g(y) =
∫0 ∞ dτ Pμ
iτ-1/2(y) f(τ) // expansion
f(τ ) = h(τ ,μ) ∫1 ∞ dy Pμ
iτ-1/2(y) g(y) // projection
∫1 ∞ dz Pμ
iτ-1/2(z) Pμ
iτ'-1/2 (z) = δ(τ-τ') / h(τ,μ) // orthogonality
∫0 ∞ dτ h(τ,μ) Pμ
iτ-1/2(z) Pμ
iτ-1/2(z') = δ(z-z') // completeness
where h( τ,μ) = (τ/π) sh(πτ ) Γ(1/2-μ+iτ) Γ(1/2-μ-iτ) . ( J . 5 . 1 5 )
168 For μ = 0 one finds h(τ ,0) = τ tanh(πτ ) since Γ(1/2+iτ)Γ(1/2-iτ ) = π /cosh(πτ). In this case one gets the
regular Mehler-Fock transform,
g(y) = ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y) f(τ) // expansion
f(τ ) = τ tanh(πτ) ∫1 ∞ dy Piτ-1/2(y) g(y) // projection
∫1 ∞ dz Piτ-1/2(z) Piτ'-1/2 (z) = δ(τ-τ') /[τ tanh(πτ)] // orthogonality
∫0 ∞ dτ τ tanh(πτ) Piτ-1/2(z) Piτ-1/2(z') = δ(z-z') . // completeness (J.5.16)
Note that we have not proved the Mehler-Fock transf orm, we have merely shown how it fits into the
framework of the singular boundary value problem with its associated transform. This transform is in fact
very difficult to prove as the reader will disc over scanning the web. Some methods involve an
intermediate use of the Kontorov ich–Lebedev transform which invol ves second-kind modified Bessel
functions (aka Macdonald func tions) of imaginary index K iy(x). Other derivations such as Gonzalez and
Negrin are more direct but still complicated. One rarely sees our (J.5.15) statements of orthog onality and completeness, but we did find this one
orthogonality statement in Szmytkowski and Bielski,
(J.5.17)
which involves the so-called ge neralized Legendre functions P νλ,μ which reduce to associated Legendre
functions when λ = μ, so that P νμ,μ = Pνμ. If one sets λ = μ in the above and restricts to κ and κ' both
being in the range (0,∞ ) so there can be no hit from δ(κ+κ'), one gets
∫1 ∞ dx Pμ
-1/2+iκ (x) Pμ
-1/2+iκ'(x) = 2 π2δ(κ-κ')[1/κ sh(2πκ) ] * 1/fourgamma
fourgamma = Γ(1/2+iτ)Γ(1/2-iτ )Γ(1/2-μ+iκ)Γ(1/2-μ-iκ) = (π/cosh(πτ)) * Γ(1/2-μ +iκ)Γ(1/2-μ-iκ)
so that
∫1 ∞ dx Pμ
-1/2+iκ (x) Pμ
-1/2+iκ'(x) = δ(κ-κ')/ h(κ,μ) (J.5.18)
169 which is our orthogonality relation of (J.5.15). There is a restriction to μ ε N+ (positive integers) but we
then analytically continue both sides to general (real) μ. For complex μ , we would restore the * of (J.5.8).
Comment : One might wonder just how these delta functi on completeness and or thogonality relations
work out in the real (engineering) world of Maple. Consider as an example the completeness relation of
(J.5.16),
∫0 ∞ dτ τ tanh(πτ) Piτ-1/2(z1) Piτ-1/2(z2) = δ(z1-z2) . (J.5.19)
We enter the P function as in (7.4.4) and then the integrand of the above is
(J.5.20)
The factor τ offsets the τ-1/2 large-τ decay for of the P functions, which results in no decay! Here we plot
g for ξ1 = 2 and ξ2 = 4,
(J.5.21)
The pattern goes on forever and the area under that infin ite curve in the distributional sense is 0, verifying
(J.5.19) for these values of z 1 = chξ1 and z2 = chξ2. One could regulate the integral with a small e-aτ
factor then set a → 0.
However, if ξ1 and ξ2 are close together, the integrand has a different appearance. For example, with
ξ1 = 2.0 and ξ2 = 2.1 we get the following, which still has zero area,
(J.5.22)
170 As we take ξ2 → ξ1 (z2→ z1) the entire curve becomes the left end of the above curve. For example, here
is the above plot with ξ1 = 2.00 and ξ2 = 2.01
(J.5.23)
For a larger range of τ, the shape of this plot is the same as the previous one and the total area under the
curve is still 0. As z 1→z2 the upper endpoint of ∫0 ∞ becomes more important in getting zero area.
But, when z 1 = z2 exactly, the entire plot is positive resulting in an infinite integral, and that is the delta
function hit,
(J.5.24)
The same idea applies to this simpler completeness relation for the Fourier Cosine Integral Transform,
∫0 ∞ dk cos(kz) cos(kz') = ( π/2)δ(z-z') // completeness
171 Appendix K: Integration of torus surface charge density
K.1 Warmup Exercises: Circumference and Area of a Torus
Circu
mference
Consider a torus of label ξ0. A cross section of the solid toroidal tube is a round disc. Let ds be a
differential distance ds along the perimeter of this disc. Then using the scale factor h u one has from
(1.2.3),
ds = (h udu) = a/(ch ξ0 - cosu) * du . (K.1.1)
Integrating around the tube means running u from 0 to 2 π as shown in Fig (10.1.2). Thus,
circumference = a ∫0 2π du (chξ0 - cosu)–1 = - a ∫0 2π du (-chξ 0 + cosu)–1 . (K.1.2)
We invoke integral (H.4.1),
∫0 π dx cos(nx) 1
b+cosx = (sign b)n+1 π
b2-1 (b2-1 - |b| )n b > 1 or b < - 1 (H.4.1)
and apply it to the case n = 0 and b = -ch ξ0 to find
circumference = -a * 2 * [ (-1)1 π
shξ0 ] = 2π a/shξ0 = 2πR // (1.2.7) (K.1.3)
which is the expected result. Area
Next, let dA be a differential patch of area on the torus of label ξ0. Then from (1.2.3),
dA = (h
udu)(hφdφ) = a/(chξ 0 - cosu) * a sh ξ0/(chξ0 - cosu) * dudφ
= a
2 shξ0 (chξ0 - cosu)–2dudφ . (K.1.4)
The area of the torus is then
A =
∫0 2π dφ ∫0 2π du [ a2 shξ0 (chξ0 - cosu)–2 ]
= 2π * a2 shξ0 * ∫0 2π du (-chξ0 + cosu)–2 . (K.1.5)
172 We invoke integral (H.4.8),
∫0 π dx cos(nx) 1
(b+cosx)2 = (sign b)n π (|b| + n b2-1 )( b2-1 -|b|)n 1
(b2-1)3/2 b > 1 or b < - 1
(H.4.8)
and apply it to the case n = 0 and b = -ch ξ0 to find
∫0 2π du (-chξ 0 + cosu)–2 = 2 * π * chξ0* 1 * 1/ sh3ξ0 = 2πchξ0/ sh3ξ0 (K.1.6)
so
A = (2 πa2sinξ0 ) * ( 2π chξ0/ sh3ξ0) = 4π2a2 (chξ0) / (shξ0)2
= 4 π
2 [ a/shξ0] [ a/thξ0] = 4π2 R ρc . // (1.2.7) (K.1.7)
which is the correct area of a torus of tube radius R and centerline radius ρ
c.
Pappus of Alexandria (290-350 A.D. !)
If the torus were a cylinder of length 2 πρc and circumference 2 πR, the cylinder area would be 4 π2 R ρc .
The fact that this is still correct if the cylinder is bent into a torus follows from Pappus's centroid theorem.
When the cylinder is bent into a torus, the inside part has less area than half the cylinder, while the outside
part has more, but the deficit and excess exactly cancel. Since we happen to have the tools handy, we can
compute the inside and outside areas numerically as follows (see Fig 10.1.2),
A
outside = 2π * a2 shξ0 * 2 * ∫0 π/2 du (-chξ 0 + cosu)–2 = 4πa2shξ0 ∫0 π/2 du (-chξ 0 + cosu)–2
Ainside = 2π * a2 shξ0 * 2 * ∫π/2 π du (-chξ 0 + cosu)–2 = 4πa2shξ0 ∫π/2 π du (-chξ 0 + cosu)–2
(K.1.8)
Setting ξ0 = 1 and a = 1 to have an example (below is the ξ0 = 1 toroid, see also Fig (1.1.3) ),
(K.1.9)
173
(K.1.10)
So for this ξ0 = 1 example, the outside area accounts for 88% of the total while the inside is 12%.
K.2 Integration of the toroidal surface charge density
Recall the sur
face charge density on a torus of label ξ0 from (10.5.10),
σ(u; ξ0) = V0
4πR [ 1
2 + 2
π (chξ0 - cos u)3/2 Σn=0∞ εn P'n-1/2 (chξ0) Qn-1/2 (chξ0)
Pn-1/2 (chξ0) cos(nu ) ] .
(K.2.1)
Our task is to analytically integrate this quantity ov er the surface of the torus and then to show that the
integral is the expected result. The diffe rential area dA is the same as (K.1.4),
dA = (h udu)(hφdφ) = a2 shξ0 (chξ0 - cosu)–2dudφ . (K.2.2)
Then the total charge Q on the torus is given by (there is of course no φ dependence in σ )
174 Q = ∫∫ σ dA = ∫0 2π dφ ∫0 2π du σ(u; ξ0) [ a2 shξ0 (chξ0 - cosu)–2]
= 2 π a2 shξ0 ∫0 2π du σ (u; ξ0) (chξ0 - cosu)–2 . (K.2.3)
In (K.2.1) we have highlighted in red the two places where σ(u; ξ0) depends on u. We shall therefore need
the following two integrals:
∫0 2π du (chξ0 - cosu)–2
∫0 2π du(chξ0 - cosu)3/2(chξ0 - cosu)–2 cos(nu) = ∫0 2π du cos(nu)( ch ξ0 - cosu)-1/2 . (K.2.4)
The first integral has already been evaluated in (K.1.6) to be 2 π chξ0/sh3ξ0. The second integral is
evaluated in (J.3.4) to be 2 * 2 Qn-1/2 (chξ0). Thus,
∫0 2π du 1 (chξ0 - cosu)–2 = 2π chξ0 / sh3ξ0 // (K.1.6)
∫0 2π du(chξ0 - cosu)3/2(chξ0 - cosu)–2 cos(nu) = 2 2 Qn-1/2 (chξ0) . // (J.3.4) (K.2.5)
Inserting (K.2.1) for σ(u; ξ0) into (K.2.3) for Q, and then supplying the two integrals (K.2.5), we get
Q = 2 πa2shξ0 ∫0 2π du σ (u; ξ0) (chξ0 - cosu)–2
= [ 2 πa2shξ0 * V0
4πR ]* 1
2 * 2π chξ0/ sh3ξ0
+ [ 2 πa2shξ0 V0
4πR ] * 2
π Σn=0∞ εn P'n-1/2 (chξ0) Qn-1/2 (chξ0)
Pn-1/2 (chξ0) * 2 2 Qn-1/2 (chξ0)
= V0
2R a2 shξ0 { π (chξ0)(1/sh3ξ0) + 4
π Σn=0∞ εn P'n-1/2 (chξ0) [Qn-1/2 (chξ0)]2
Pn-1/2 (chξ0) } . (K.2.6)
The reader is hopefully wondering how on earth one can do the sum on n with P' Q2/P sitting there.
Consider then this sum,
Σn=0∞ εn P'n-1/2 (chξ0) [Qn-1/2 (chξ0)]2
Pn-1/2 (chξ0) . (K.2.7)
Recall the Wronskian of P and Q from (H.8.2),
W{P ν(z),Qν(z)} = 1/(1-z2) = Pν(z) Q 'ν(z) - P' ν(z) Qν(z) . (H.8.2)
175
With z = ch ξ0 and ν = n-1/2 this says
P '
n-1/2 (chξ0) Qn-1/2 (chξ0) = (1/sh2ξ0) + Pn-1/2 (chξ0) Q'n-1/2 (chξ0) . (K.2.8)
Installing this into the sum (K.2.7) gives two sums. The first sum is,
(1/sh ξ0)2 Σn=0∞ εn Qn-1/2 (chξ0)
Pn-1/2 (chξ0) // first sum (K.2.9)
while the second sum is
Σn=0∞ εn Pn-1/2 (chξ0) Qn-1/2 (chξ0)Q'n-1/2 (chξ0)
Pn-1/2 (chξ0)
= Σn=0∞ εn Qn-1/2 (chξ0) Q'n-1/2 (chξ0)
= - ( π2/4) chξ0 / sh3ξ0 // second sum (K.2.10)
where we use the result (J.4.8) for the QQ' sum. We now install these two sums into (K.2.6) to get
Q = V
0
2R a2 shξ0 { π (chξ0)(1/sh3ξ0) + 4
π [ second sum + first sum] }
= V0
2R a2 shξ0 { π (chξ0)(1/sh3ξ0) + 4
π [ -(π2/4) chξ0 / sh3ξ0 + (1/shξ0)2 Σn=0∞ εn Qn-1/2 (chξ0)
Pn-1/2 (chξ0) ] }
= V0
2R a2 shξ0 {4
π (1/shξ0)2 Σn=0∞ εn Qn-1/2 (chξ0)
Pn-1/2 (chξ0) } // two terms cancel
= V
0
2R 4
π a (a/shξ0) Σn=0∞ εn Qn-1/2 (chξ0)
Pn-1/2 (chξ0)
= V
0 2a
π Σn=0∞ εn Qn-1/2 (chξ0)
Pn-1/2 (chξ0) ( K . 2 . 1 1 )
The implied capacitance of the torus is then
C = 2a
π Σn=0∞ εn Qn-1/2 (chξ0)
Pn-1/2 (chξ0) ( K . 2 . 1 2 )
which agrees with the result (10.4.3) which was found completely independen tly by taking the far-away
limit of the potential (10.1.11). We regard this as a reasonable validity check on (K.2.1) for σ.
176
Appendix L: Some Mehler Integrals
Since the six
Mehler integrals stat ed in (7.1.3) through (7.1.8) do not generally appear in standard
references, and since there are sometimes typos where they do appear, we derive all of them here in full
detail, hopefully providing the reader with a traceable source for these integrals. For each integral we provide at least one external verification.
L.1 (7.1.1)
∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y)
L.2 (7.1.2) ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y) cos(aτ)
L.3 (7.1.3) ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y) cos(aτ) / ch(πτ)
L.4 (7.1.4) ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y) cos(aτ) / ch2(πτ)
L.5 (7.1.5) ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y) ch(bτ) / ch2(πτ)
L.6 (7.1.6) ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y) sh(bτ) sh(πτ ) / ch2(πτ)
L.1 Compute ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y)
Show that
I ≡ ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y) = 1
2 1
y-1 . y > 1 (L.1.1)
Start with this P function integral repr esentation from GR7 8.715 (1) page 962,
Set μ = 0, ν = iτ - 1/2 to get
Piτ-1/2(chα) = ( 2 /π) ∫0 α dx cos(τ x) / chα - chx y > 1 . (L.1.2)
Insert (L.1.2) into (L.1.1) with y = ch α to get,
I = ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(chα) = ∫0 ∞ dτ [ ( 2 /π) ∫0 α dx cos(τ x) / chα - chx ]
177 = ( 2 /π) ∫0 α dx (1/ chα - chx ) ∫0 ∞ dτ cos(τ x) . (L.1.3)
But
∫-∞ ∞ dτ eiτx = 2πδ(x) = ∫-∞ ∞ dτ cos(τ x) = 2 ∫0 ∞ dτ cos(τx)
=> ∫0 ∞ dτ cos(τ x) = πδ (x) . (L.1.4)
Using (L.1.4) in (L.1.3),
I = (
2 /π) ∫0 α dx (1/ chα - chx ) πδ(x) = ( 2 /π) (π) (1/2) 1/ chα - chx
= (1/ 2 ) 1/ chα - 1 α > 0
= (1/ 2 ) 1/ y - 1 y > 1 ( L . 1 . 5 )
which verifies (L.1.1). Note that the integration picks up exactly 1/2 of δ(x) since the integration starts at
x = 0. This is a mathematically rigorous fact demons trable using limits of de lta functions sequences.
Verification
: The following integral appears in Bateman ET 2 page 330 18.3 (21),
(L.1.6)
Setting b = 0, μ = 0 and ch α = y the integral states
∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y) = π/2 / [π (y-1)1/2 ] = (1/ 2 ) (1/ y-1 ) y > 1 (L.1.7)
verifying (L.1.1). Integral (L.1.1 ) also appears in Oberhettinger and Higgins Table C page 28, the first
entry with a = 1 and k = 0. The above Bateman inte gral appears as the 2nd integral in that Table.
178 L.2 Compute ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y) cos(aτ)
Show that [ θ is the Heaviside function ]
I ≡ ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y) cos(aτ) = 1
2 1
y-cha θ(y-cha) . (L.2.1)
This result is the content of Bateman (L.1.6) noted above if we set μ = 0 and b = a, and we have (L.1.6)
verified in two reference locations. Neverthe less, we compute the integral directly.
Insert the P integral representation (L.1.2) into (L.2.1) to get
I =
∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(chα) cos(aτ) = ∫0 ∞ dτ [ ( 2 /π) ∫0 α dx cos(τ x) / chα - chx ] cos(a τ)
= ( 2 /π) ∫0 α dx (1/ chα - chx ) ∫0 ∞ dτ cos(xτ)cos(aτ) . (L.2.2)
The τ integral is recognized as the completeness rela tion (or the orthogonality relation) for the Fourier
Integral Cosine Transform where 0 ≤ z ≤ ∞ and 0 ≤ k ≤ ∞ :
f(z) = 2/π ∫0 ∞ dk cos(kz) fk // expansion
fk = 2/π ∫0 ∞ dz cos(kz) f(z) // projection
∫0 ∞ dz cos(kz) cos(k'z) = ( π/2)δ(k-k') // orthogonality
∫0 ∞ dk cos(kz) cos(kz') = ( π/2)δ(z-z') // completeness . (L.2.3)
Thus ∫0 ∞ dτ cos(xτ)cos(aτ) = (π/2)δ(x-a) for a > 0 and then from (L.2.2),
I = ( 2 /π) ∫0 α dx (1/ chα - chx ) (π/2) δ(x-a) = (1/ 2 ) (1/ chα - cha ) θ (α - a)
= (1/ 2 ) (1/ y - cha )θ (y - cha) (L.2.4)
which verifies (L.2.1), where θ is the Heaviside function.
Verification
:
Oberhettinger and Higgins Table C page 28, second entry. Bateman (L.1.6) above with μ = 0, chα = y and b = a.
179 L.3 Compute ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y) cos(aτ) / ch(πτ)
Show that
I ≡
∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y) cos(aτ) / ch(πτ) = 1
2 1
y+cha . (L.3.1)
Start with this P function integral representati on from GR7 8.713 (3) page 961 (also Bateman HTF 1 3.7
(11), page 156),
Set μ = 0 to get
Pν(y) = 2/π π [ Γ(ν+1)Γ(-ν)]-1 ∫0 ∞ dt (y +cht)-1/2 ch[(ν+1/2)t],
R e ( - ν)>0 and Re( ν+1)>0 . (L.3.2)
We note from Maple that
. (L.3.3)
Setting ν = iτ - 1/2 one finds,
sin[π(ν+1)] = sin[ π(iτ+1/2)] = sin( π/2 + iπτ ) = cos(iπτ) = ch(πτ)
ch[(ν+1/2)t] = ch[i τt] = cos(τ t) . (L.3.4)
Note also that Re(- ν) = 1/2 and Re( ν+1) = 1/2, so both conditions in (L.3.2) are met. Thus,
P
iτ-1/2(y) = 2 [ch(πτ)/π] ∫0 ∞ dt (y +cht)-1/2 cos(τt) . (L.3.5)
180 Now insert (L.3.5) into the integral I of (L.3.1) to get
I ≡ ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y) cos(aτ) / ch(πτ)
= ∫0 ∞ dτ [ 2 (1/π) ch(πτ ) ∫0 ∞ dt (y +cht)-1/2 cos(τ t) ] cos(aτ) / ch(πτ)
= ( 2 /π) ∫0 ∞ dτ ∫0 ∞ dt (y +cht)-1/2 cos(τt) cos(aτ) // note how ch( πτ)'s canceled
= ( 2 /π) ∫0 ∞ dt (y +cht)-1/2 ∫0 ∞ dτ cos(τt) cos(aτ)
= ( 2 /π) ∫0 ∞ dt (y +cht)-1/2 (π/2)δ(t-a) // see (L.2.3)
= ( 1 / 2 ) (y + cha)-1/2 ( L . 3 . 6 )
which then is the claim of (L.3.1).
Verification
: Oberhettinger and Higgins Table C page 28, the 4th integral with k = 0 and Pk
k(z) = 1.
L.4 Compute ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y) cos(aτ) / ch2(πτ)
Show that
I ≡ ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y) cos(aτ) / ch2(πτ) = 2
π 1
y-cha tan-1[ y-cha
1+cha ] . (L.4.1)
There is surely some simple way to compute this integral, but we don't know what it is so we resort to
very ugly brute force with many steps. Start w ith the integral representation (L.3.5) for P,
Piτ-1/2(z) = ( 2 /π) ch(πτ ) ∫0 ∞ dt (z +cht)-1/2 cos(τt ) . (L.3.5)
Install this into (L.4.1) to get,
I = ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y) cos(aτ) / ch2(πτ)
= ∫0 ∞ dτ [ ( 2 /π) ch(πτ) ∫0 ∞ dt (y +cht)-1/2 cos(τ t)] cos(aτ) / ch2(πτ)
181 = ( 2 /π) ∫0 ∞ dt (y +cht)-1/2 ∫0 ∞ dτ cos(τt) cos(aτ) / ch(πτ) (L.4.2)
and we now have to evaluate
J ≡
∫0 ∞ dτ cos(τ t) cos(aτ) / ch(πτ) . ( L . 4 . 3 )
Replace the cosine product as follows, cos(tτ ) cos(aτ) = ch(ixτ) ch(iaτ) = (1/2){ ch[i(t+a) τ] + ch[i(t-a) τ] } (L.4.4)
so that
J = (1/2)
∫0 ∞ dτ ch[i(t+a)τ ]
ch(πτ) + (1/2) ∫0 ∞ dτ ch[i(t-a)τ]
ch(πτ) . (L.4.5)
We then make use of GR7 3.5.11 (4), page 371,
Set b = π and a = i(t+a) to get
J = (1/2) (1/2) sec [ i(t+a)/2] + (1/2) (1/2) sec [ i(t-a)/2]
= (1/4) { sech[(t+a)/2] + sech[(t-a)/2] }
= ch(t/2)ch(a/2)
ch(t) + ch(a)
. ( L . 4 . 6 )
The last line follows from standard identities and we use Maple to verify the result,
(L.4.7)
The integral I is now
I = (
2 /π) ∫0 ∞ dt (y +cht)-1/2 J
182
= ( 2 /π) ∫0 ∞ dt (y +cht)-1/2 ch(t/2)ch(a/2)
ch(t) + ch(a)
= ( 2 /π) ch(a/2) ∫0 ∞ dt (y +cht)-1/2 ch(t/2) (cht + cha)-1
= ( 1 / π) ch(a/2) ∫0 ∞ dt (y +cht)-1/2 (cht +1)1/2 (cht + cha)-1 . (L.4.8)
Now define
α ≡ cha ⇒ ch(a/2) =
1+cha / 2 = 1+α /2 (L.4.9)
so that
I = 1
2 π 1+α ∫0 ∞ dt (y +cht)-1/2 (cht +1)1/2 (cht + α)-1 . (L.4.10)
Next, change variables to s = cht with ds = shtdt = s2-1 dt to get
I = 1
2 π 1+α ∫1 ∞ [ds (s2-1)-1/2] (y+s)-1/2 (s+1)1/2 (s+α)-1
= 1
2 π 1+α ∫1 ∞ ds (s-1)-1/2 (y+s)-1/2 (s+α)-1 . (L.4.11)
Now change variables again to x = s + α. Then,
∫1 ∞ ds = ∫1+α ∞ dx s-1 = x - (1+ α) y+s = x + (y- α) s+α = x (L.4.12)
so now
I = 1
2 π 1+α ∫1+α ∞ dx [ x - (1+ α)]-1/2 [x + (y-α)]-1/2 [x]-1
= 1
2 π 1+α ∫1+α ∞ x-1 [x + (y-α)]-1/2 [ x - (1+α)]-1/2 . (L.4.13)
Finally we have a form which can be connected with a hypergeometric function. Consider this integral representation of F from GR8,
183
[ The corresponding GR7 equation has a typo reported by your author which got fixed in GR8.] Set
a = 1+ α λ = 1 b = y- α ν = -1/2 μ = 1/2 μ+ν = 0 . (L.4.14)
Then the above GR8 integral says
∫1+α ∞ x-1 [x + (y-α)]-1/2 [ x - (1+α)]-1/2 = (1+α)-1* 1 * B(1,1/2)* F(1,1/2; 3/2; -[y- α]/[1+α]) .
( L . 4 . 1 5 )
Now
B(1,1/2) = Γ(1)Γ(1/2)/Γ (3/2) = 1 * π / (π /2) = 2 (L.4.16)
so then
I = 1
2 π 1+α (1+α)-1 2 F(1,1/2; 3/2; -[y- α]/[1+α])
= 2
π (1+α)-1/2 F(1,1/2; 3/2; -[y- α]/[1+α])
= 2
π (1+cha)-1/2 F(1/2,1; 3/2; -[y-cha]/[1+cha]) . // recall α = cha (L.4.17)
We now make use of GR7 9.121 (27) on page 1007,
( L . 4 . 1 8 )
where we set z = y-cha
1+cha . Then
I = 2
π (1+cha)-1/2 tan-1 y-cha
1+cha / y-cha
1+cha
= 2
π 1
y-cha tan-1 y-cha
1+cha ( L . 4 . 1 9 )
which is the desired result (L.4.1). Verification
: Oberhettinger and Higgins Table B page 20, the 5th entry. In this entry, the first form agrees
with the above. The second form has a typo: the leading 2-1/2 should be 2-1.
184 L.5 Compute ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y) ch(bτ) / ch2(πτ)
Show that
I ≡
∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y) ch(bτ) / ch2(πτ) = 2
π 1
y-cosb cot-1[1+cosb
y-cosb ] . (L.5.1)
Start with the previous result (L.4.1),
∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y) cos(aτ) / ch2(πτ) = 2
π 1
y-cha tan-1[ y-cha
1+cha ] . (L.4.1)
Set a = ib so that
cos(aτ) = cos(ib τ) = ch(bτ) and ch(a) = ch(ib) = cos(b). (L.5.2)
Then (L.4.1) becomes
∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y) ch(bτ) / ch2(πτ) = 2
π 1
y-cosb tan-1[ y-cosb
1+cosb ]
= 2
π 1
y-cosb cot-1 [ 1+cosb
y-cosb ] ( L . 5 . 3 )
which is the claimed result (L.5.1). One could replace 1+cosb = 2 cos(b/2).
Verification : Oberhettinger and Higgins Table B page 20, the 6th entry, but they have a typo. Their result
should be this:
(1/ 2 ) (1/ y-cosb) - 2
π (1/ y-cosb) tan-1 [1+cosb
y-cosb ]
=
2
π (1/ y-cosb) ( π
2 - tan-1 [1+cosb
y-cosb ) = 2
π (1/ y-cosb) cot-1(1+cosb
y-cosb ) (L.5.4)
which agrees with our result (L.5.3). But their result is presented instead as
2-1/2 (y-cosb)-1/2 - 21/2π-1 (y-cosb)1/2 tan-1 [1+cosb
y-cosb ] // wrong (L.5.5)
where the red 1/2 should be -1/2 (1/2 just prior to tan-1). This same erroneous exponent also appears in
PBM volume 3 on Special Functions (2003), Russian page 181, integral 2.17.24.6,
185
/ / w r o n g ( L . 5 . 6 )
To make sure our form (L.5.1) is the correct form, we do a sample numerical integration. RHS is the right
hand side of (L.5.1) while RHS_OH is the right hand side of the "wrong" result (L.5.5) stated above.
First, we enter the three items of interest, using our (7.4.1) P( ν,ξ) = P
ν(chξ) so P(ν,y) = Pν(arccosh(y)),
Next we enter the P function as in (7.4.1), along with some random values for parameters b and y, then
we compare the numeric integral to the two candidate expressions,
(L.5.7)
Notice that integration to τ = 10 gets the result accurate to 10 decimal places.
Go back now to (L.5.3),
∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y) ch(bτ) / ch2(πτ) = 2
π 1
y-cosb tan-1[ y-cosb
1+cosb ]
186
= 2
π 1
y-cosb cot-1 [ 1+cosb
y-cosb ] . (L.5.3)
To make the proper analytic conti nuation in b more obvious, we replace
1+cosb = 2 cos(b/2)
This shows that as b runs along the real axis, the function called " 1+cosb " in fact changes sign at odd
multiples of π, as discussed in Appendix M. Then (L.5.3) can be written as
∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y) ch(bτ) / ch2(πτ) = 2
π 1
y-cosb tan-1[ y-cosb
2 cos(b/2) ]
= 2
π 1
y-cosb cot-1 [ 2 cos(b/2)
y-cosb ] . (L.5.8)
L.6 Compute ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y) sh(bτ) sh(πτ)/ch2(πτ)
Show that
I ≡ ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y) sh(bτ) sh(πτ)/ch2(πτ) = 2
π 1
y+cosb tan-1 (1-cosb
y+cosb ) . (L.6.1)
Start by expanding 2 sh(b τ) sh(πτ ) = ch[(b+ π)τ] - ch[(b-π)τ] (L.6.2)
so then
I ≡
∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y) sh(bτ) sh(πτ )/ch2(πτ)
= (1/2) ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y) ch[(b+ π)τ] - (1/2) ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y) ch[(b- π)τ] . (L.6.3)
But (L.5.8) says, replacing b by β,
∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y) ch(βτ) / ch2(πτ) = 2
π 1
y-cosβ cot-1 [ 2 cos(β/2)
y-cosβ ] . (L.6.4)
For the first term in (L.6.3) we set
187 β = b+π
cosβ = cos(b+ π) = -cos(b)
cos(β/2) = cos(b/2+ π/2) = - sin(b/2) (L.6.5)
so
∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y) ch[(b+ π)τ] / ch2(πτ) = 2
π 1
y+cosb cot-1 [ -2 sin(b/2)
y+cosb ] . (L.6.6)
For the second term in (L.6.3) we set
β = b-π
cosβ = cos(b-π) = -cos(b)
cos(β/2) = cos(b/2-π /2) = cos( π/2-b/2) = sin(b/2) (L.6.7)
so
∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y) ch[(b- π)τ] / ch2(πτ) = 2
π 1
y+cosb cot-1 [ +2 sin(b/2)
y+cosb ] . (L.6.8)
Then,
I = (1/2) ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y) ch[(b+ π)τ] - (1/2) ∫0 ∞ dτ Piτ-1/2(y) ch[(b- π)τ]
= (1/2) 2
π 1
y+cosb cot-1 [ -2 sin(b/2)
y+cosb ] - (1/2) 2
π 1
y+cosb cot-1 [ +2 sin(b/2)
y+cosb ]
= (1/2) 2
π 1
y+cosb { cot-1 [ -2 sin(b/2)
y+cosb ] – cot-1 [ +2 sin(b/2)
y+cosb ] } . (L.6.9)
We now twice use the fact that cot-1(x) = π/2 - tan-1(x) to rewrite the above as
I = (1/2) 2
π 1
y+cosb { tan-1 [ +2 sin(b/2)
y+cosb ] - tan-1 [ -2 sin(b/2)
y+cosb ]
= (1/2) 2
π 1
y+cosb { 2 tan-1 [ +2 sin(b/2)
y+cosb ] }
= 2
π 1
y+cosb tan-1 ( 2 sin(b/2)
y+cosb )
= 2
π 1
y+cosb tan-1 ( 1-cosb
y+cosb ) ( L . 6 . 1 0 )
and this is the result claimed in (L.6.1). Verification
: The evaluation shown in (L.6.1) appears in Oberhettinger and Higgins Table B page 20
entry 3.
188
Appendix M: The behavior of f(z) = (a+cosz)1/2 as an analytic function
The function f(x) = 1+cos(x) appears in the results of Mehl er integrals like (7.1.5) and other places in
this document. We comment above (L.5.8) and elsewhere that " 1+cos(x) changes sign as x passes
through odd multiples of π ". This fact is totally obvious when one replaces 1+cos(x) by 2 cos(x/2). In
writing the expression 1+cos(x) one must be careful about its meaning. Maple (reasonably) interprets
this as a positive quantity | 1+cos(x) | for all real x as seen in the black plot below
(M.1)
In normal integral evaluations like (7.1.5), if 1+cos(x) appears on the right side, the usual interpretation
is that both sides of the equation are analytic in the complex variable x although one might be using the
integral for real x. In this case, one gets "the wrong answer" if one uses the black curve above, and plots
of potentials come out totally wrong.
This appendix explores the seemingl y simple analytic function f(z) = a+cos(z) and shows when and in
what sense it must change sign at odd multiplies of π as z moves "along the real axis". This subject is well
addressed in Ahlfors Chapter 3 Analytic Functions as Mappings .
Some analytic mappings
Consider the following drawing :
189
(M.2)
We are considering a three-step mapping of analytic functions:
w = eiz z-plane to w-plane
u = (1/2)(w+1/w) // = cos(z) w-plane to u-plane
f =
a+u // = a + cos(z) u-plane to f-plane (not shown) (M.3)
The drawing shows the z-plane, the w-plane, and the u-plane. In the z-plane, where z = x + iy, the red vertical lines show x = multiples of 2 π. All the vertical red lines
in the z-plane map into the single red half line in the w-plane and then in the u-pl ane. The red path in the
u-plane folds back on itself since w = 0 and w = ∞ both map to u =
∞, while w = 1 maps to u = 1.
We select a particular region of the z-plane and mark it gray (region is a half-infinite vertical strip). This
region maps to the gray disk in the w-plane (radius 1), and that disk in turn maps into all of the u-plane. Following the Black Ants
We set up a "tracking ant" in the z-plane which wand ers along a path indicated by the black arrow. This
path is not along the real z axis, but is elevated above it at y = y
0 as shown. The ant moves from n(2 π) to
(n+1)(2π) in x, while holding y = y 0.
As this ant moves in the z-plane along its path, another ant makes a corresponding (mapped) movement in
the w- plane, and yet another ant makes a corres ponding movement in the u-plane. All ant paths are
shown in black. In the w-plane the ant's path maps into the black circle shown, a simple phasor path.
In the u-plane, the ant's path is an ellipse, and the traversal direction is now clockwise instead of
counterclockwise. The reason for the ellipse is this:
190
eiz = eix e-y
u = (1/2)(w+1/w) = (1/2)(e
ix e-y + e-ix ey ) = (1/2)( [cosx + isinx] e-y +[cosx-isinx] ey )
= cosx chy - i sinx shy = u 1+ iu2 u 1 = cosx chy u 2 = - sinx shy (M.4)
Then setting y = y 0 for the ant path,
u12
ch2y0 + u22
sh2y0 = cos2x + sin2x = 1 u = (u 1,u2) . (M.5)
This is an ellipse with semi-major axis chy 0, semi-minor axis shy 0, and focal points at u = (±1,0).
As x moves along the black arrow in the z-plane starting at x = n(2 π), sinx > 0 so u gets a negative
imaginary part in (M.4) and the ant moves south in the u-plane. That is why the u-plane ant moves
clockwise.
The Green Cut
We are interested in the function
f(u) =
a + u ( M . 6 )
which has a branch point at u = -a. We draw the attached green cut off to the le ft as shown in Fig (M.2).
This choice of cut direction makes a+u unambiguous and real on the pos itive real axis (the function is
"real analytic"). We have then back-mapped this green cut into both the w-plane and the z-plane. There are no green cuts in these two planes, we are just mark ing the back-image of the u-plane cut location. In
the w-plane one sees that the mark ed green cut location is encounter ed when the phasor angle x of e
iz =
eix e-y passes through odd multiples of π. Then in the z-plane these values of x appear as vertical green
lines at odd multiples of π .
This function f(u) has two Riemann sheets which we can regard as
f(u) = f
1(u) ≡ + a+u Sheet 1
f(u) = f
2(u) ≡ – a + u S h e e t 2 ( M . 7 )
just as 4 = ± 2. Imagine that Sheet 1 is the one disp layed in the u-plane ab ove. Then Sheet 2 lies
underneath Sheet 1. An ant moving on Sheet 1 passes through the cut onto Sheet 2. Since the ant is
constrained to the surface, it cannot jump across the cut, but has to descend onto Sheet 2. The connection
between the sheets is bidirectional which makes it impossible to model physically. Here is the cut seen edge on
191
(M.8)
Think of Fig (M.8) as two levels of a parking gara ge that has separate up and down ramps between the
levels. Thus for the particular path shown above in the z-plane, the function f(u) = a+u changes sign
each time that z-plane path passes through an odd multiple of π. .
The real-axis path as a limit
The ant path shown in the z-plane is elevated at some y 0 > 0. We now lower this path to the real axis
(shown in blue). As this happens, the black circle in the w-plane moves toward the blue circle perimeter
of the gray disk, and the black elliptical path in the u-plane shrinks to the thin blue path shown there. If
a > 1, this new elliptical path completely avoids the cut, and one finds that f(u) = a + cos(z) does not
change sign, because we just stay on Sheet 1 for the entire path, so the effect of switching sheets does not
occur. Notice that the blue thin ellipse in its limiting sense passes to the left of the focal point u = -1.
Now what happens if a = 1 and we have the function f(u) = 1 + u ? Go back to the ant path up at y = y 0,
and draw the green cut starting at u = -1 in the u-pl ane. We then have the sign-switching action as the ant
passes odd multiples of π. As we take this ant path down to the bl ue x axis in the z-plane, the elliptical
path in the u-plane always encounters the cut, and we then still have the sign swapping effect. The ant
path, no matter how thin its ellipse might be in the u-pl ane, always passes to the left of the point a = - 1
and this ant is forced to take the dive.
Our conclusions are:
1. The function f(x) =
a + cos(x) for a > 1 does not change sign as x passes through odd multiples of π.
2. The function f(x) = 1 + cos(x) does change sign as x passes through odd multiples of π. (M.9)
At x = 0 we assume that f(0) =
2 > 0.
Theorem : Given the analytic function f(z) =
1 + cos(z) , if we run z along a real path on the x-axis,
taking that path to be the limiting path of a complex path above the real axis, then
f(x) = (-1)η | 1 + cos(x) | where η = floor[(x+ π)/2π] . ( M . 1 0 )
Here the factor (-1)η implements the sign changes discussed above. Each time x passes through an odd
multiple of π, η increases by 1, causing the desired sign change.
It is of course a lot easier to implement 1 + cos(x) as 2 cos(x/2).
192 References
Alphabetical b
y last name of lead author. Links last verified 28 Dec 2015.
L. A. Ahlfors, Complex Analysis, 2nd Ed. ( McGraw-Hill, New York, 1966) .
[Bateman] A. Erdelyi et al., Higher Transcendental Functions , Volumes 1,2, and 3 (McGraw-Hill, New
York, 1953); Tables of Integral Transforms, Volumes 1 and 2 (McGraw-Hill, New York, 1954). This is
the 5-volume Bateman Manuscript Project. We shall fo llow the GR7 convention by referring to these five
volumes as EH I,II,III and ET I,II (Erdelyi Higher, Erdelyi Transform). B.J. Gonzalez and E.R. Negrin, "Mehler-Fock Transf orms of Generalized Functions via the Method of
Adjoints", Proc. Amer. Math. Soc ., Vol. 125, No. 11 (Nov, 1997), pp. 3243-3253.
[GR7] I.S. Gradshteyn and I.M. Ryzhik, Table of Integrals, Series, and Products, 7th Ed. (Academic
Press, New York, 2007). The 8th Edition [GR8] a ppeared 2 Oct 2014 (no CD). Dan Zwillinger is
collecting errata here for the 9th Edition : http://www.mathtable.com/gr/
E.W. Hobson, The Theory of Spherical and Ellipsoidal Harmonics (Cambridge University Press,
Cambridge, 1931). Chapter XI concerns ellipsoidal ha rmonics, about 50 pages. This presentation seems
more readable than Chapter 23 of Whittaker and Watson (see below). H. Hu and R.G. Larson, " Evaporation of a Sessile Droplet on a Substrate", J. Phys. Chem. B (2002), 106,
1334-1344. Points out that 19th century toroidal potential theory has a role in DNA processing.
J.D. Jackson, Classical Electrodynamics (Wiley, New York, 1962). This is the first edition with a green
cover. Later editions (red cover 1975 and blue cover 1998 ) omit discu ssion of the inversion method to
make room for more exciting subjects.
Kelvin (W. Thomson), Reprint of Papers on Electrostatics and Magnetism, 2nd. Ed. (Macmillan,
London, 1884). Like several other items in this Refe rence list, this out-of-print book is available on the
web (this one "Digitized by Microsoft"). Converting PDF to DJVU makes things smaller and faster and
maintains searchability.
N.N. Lebedev, Special Functions and their Applications (Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs,N.J, 1965).
There is a 1972 Dover edition.
N.N. Lebedev, I.P. Skalskaya and Y.S. Uflyand, Worked Problems in Applied Mathematics (Dover, New
York, 1965). There are not many books like this one. In the first 2/3 of the book, 566 problems requiring many mathematical techniques from various fields of physics and engineering are presented with
solutions or hints as to their solution, and in the last 1/3 a subset of these problems is solved (but not those
discussed in the current paper). There is a recent 2010 Dover edition. [Bipolar ] P. Lucht, "Bipolar Coordinates and the Two-Cylinder Capacitor" (2015),
http://user.xmission.com/~rimrock
. If not there, search on
or the title.
193 P. Lucht, "A Maple User's Guide" (2015), see above.
P. Lucht, "Tensor Analysis and Curvilinear Coordinates" (2015), see above.
Maple (Maplesoft), a symbolic computer algebra sy stem, today officially Maple 2015. See wiki for
comments about Maple's history versus Mathematica and other systems. See author's Maple User Guide.
K.T. McDonald, "Conducting Spherical Shell with a Circular Orifice" (2002) This paper discusses the
bowl problem in several ways, and reviews some of Ke lvin's papers noted above. The current paper tries
to fill in Section 2.5 of this document. See http://www.hep.princeton.edu/~mcdonald/examples/
.
P. Moon and D.E. Spencer, Field Theory Handbook, Including Coordinate Systems, Differential
Equations and their Solutions (Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1961). This book is not about quantum field
theory or anything like that, it is about curvilinear coordinate systems, how the Laplace and Helmholtz
equations appear in each system, and what the solu tions of these equations lo ok like. This husband and
wife team wrote several excellent books. Long ago they were strangely involved in an accident involving
a test of general relativity. P.M. Morse and H. Feshbach, Methods of Theoretical Physics ( McGraw-Hill, New York, 1953). This
2000 page behemoth is simply amazing. F. Oberhettinger and T.P. Higgins, Tables of Lebedev, Mehler and Generalized Mehler Transforms
(Boeing Scientific Research Laboratories, Mathem atical No. 246, 1961). A 48 page monograph with
about 16 transforms per page. The first author is a member of A. Erdelyi et al. mentioned above. We
obtained this book by interlibrary loan from th e Coe library at the University of Wyoming.
[NIST] F.W.J. Olver, D.W. Lozier, R.F. Boisvert and C.W. Clark, NIST Handbook of Mathematical
Functions (Cambridge University Press, 2010). NIST is the U.S. National Institute of Standards and
Technology which published the world-famous earlie r edition in 1964 with editors Abramowitz and
Stegun, known affectionately as "A&S". The grea tly expanded 2010 edition (968 p) can be accessed
online at dlmf.nist.gov which also has errata. The book ( ≥ $20) comes with a CD containing a
bookmarked PDF file which of course has been boot legged onto the web. Olver died in 2013.
[PBM] A.P. Prudnikov, Y.A. Brychkov and O.I. Marichev, Integrals and Series: More Special Functions,
Vol 3 (Gordon and Breach, New York, 1996). A huge 5 volume set similar to the Bateman / Erdelyi set
plus Gradshteyn & Ryzhik. The Russi an editions are perhaps more available and can easily be used by
non-Russian readers. Here are a few useful words:
оглавление = table of contents ряды = series сумма = sum
глава = chapter преобразовать = transform
интеграл = integral функция = function
http://www.babylon.com/define/118/ru s
sian-english-dictionary.html
E.M. Purcell, Electricity and Magnetism , Berkeley Physics Course Vol. 2 (McGraw-Hill, New York,
1965), a very excellent book. Now in 3rd Ed ition 2013 with coauthor D.J. Morin.
194
W.R. Smythe, Static and Dynamic Electricity, 2nd Ed . ( McGraw-Hill, New York, 1950). This text
contains famously difficult problems. I. Sneddon, Mixed Boundary Value Problem s in Potential Theory (Wiley, New York, 1966). This book
treats dual and triple integral and series equations with examples from electrostatics and from crack
theory. A lot of output is obtained from basic Abel and Hankel type transforms.
C. Snow, Hypergeometric and Legendre Functions with Applic ations to Integral Equations of Potential
Theory, National Bureau of Standards Applied Mathematics Series No. 19, 427 pages (May 1, 1952),
http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112016737360
;
C. Snow, Formulas for Computing Capacitance and Inductance , National Bureau of Standards Circular
544, 71 pages (Sept 10, 1954), www.g3ynh.info/zdocs/refs/NBS/Snow_Circ544.pdf or see hathitrust.org.
I. Stakgold, Boundary Value Problems of Mathematical Physics, Volumes 1 and 2 (MacMillan, London,
1967). These are astoundingly good books, but the high level of detail (the subject is intrinsically
complex) makes them hard to use in a normal "course" , which is why the author later put out a condensed
single-volume version Green's Functions and Boundary Value Problems, now in a third edition. The
original two volumes were reprinted with some corr ections in 2000 ( SIAM, Philadelphia). P. Lucht has a
short list of errata on line.
R. Szmytkowski and S.Bielski, "A Direct delta-typ e orthogonality relation for the on-the-cut generalized
associated Legendre functions of the firs t kind with imaginary second upper indices", Integral Transforms
and Special Functions (2014), Vol. 25, No.4, 312-317, http://dx.doi.org/10.10 80/10652469.2013.842235
or http://www.mif.pg.gda.pl/homepages/radek/#publications .
S.S Vinogradov, P.D. Smith, and E.D Vinogradova, Canonical Problems in Scattering and Potential
Theory, Part I: Canonical Stru ctures in Potential Theory (Chapman & Hall/CRC, New York, 2001). The
bowl problem is treated in Sections 1.4.1-3 of this excellent but very advanced monograph. Chapter 2
incorporates in compact form nearly the entire huge panorama of Sneddon's book. The book is advanced in that it treats impressive variations of already-di fficult problems in electrostatics, surfaces with holes
and slots and missing pieces. For example,
195
E.T. Whittaker and G.N. Watson, A Course in Modern Analysis, 4th Ed. (Cambridge University Press,
Cambridge, 1927). The Mehler-Dirichlet integral is de rived in Section 15.231 of this and at least two
earlier editions. Beware that the 2nd edition is being sold by Merchant Press and does not include Chapter
23 on Ellipsoidal Harmonics and Lamé F unctions. See Kelvin reference above.
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