Module I: Electromagnetic waves

Lecture 2: Solving static boundary value problems

Amol Dighe
TIFR, Mumbai

Outline

Uniqueness theorems

Separation of variables for 2 = 0

Coming up...

Uniqueness theorems

Separation of variables for 2 = 0

Unique vector, given divergence and curl

Uniqueness theorem 1
~ = s(~x)
Given V
~
and V = ~c(~x) (with ~c(~x) = 0, of course),
~ goes to zero at infinity (fast enough),
if V
~ can be uniquely written in terms of s(~x) and ~c(~x).
then V

Indeed the solution can be given:

~ ~x)
V = (~x) + A(

(1)

with
(~x) =
~ ~x) =
A(

Z
1
s(~x) 3 0
d ~x
4
|~x ~x0 |
Z
~c(~x) 3 0
1
d ~x
~
4
|x ~x0 |

(2)
(3)

Proof of uniqueness theorem 1

Steps involved :
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~ = s(~x), using 2 1 = 4(r )
Show V
r
~ = ~c(~x) using integration by parts. Youll have
Show V
to use the conditions ~c(~x) = 0 everywhere, and
~c(~x) = 0 at large distances (or goes to zero fast enough)

Unique scalar, given 2 and boundary conditions

Uniqueness theorem 2
For a scalar (~x),
given 2 everywhere,
on a closed surface
and given (~x) or n
a unique solution for (~x) exists.

Steps for proving uniqueness theorem 2

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Consider two solutions 1 and 2 , and define = 1 2

H
R
R
~ = () (del)dV + 2 dV ,
Using () d S
Show that || = 0 everywhere in the enclosed volume
= 0 at the boundary)
(Use = 0 or n
Note: the boundary conditions may be of the form = 0
on some part of the boundary and = 0 on the
remaining part.

~
Unique vector, given ( A)
~ ~x)]
Uniqueness theorem 3 [for a vector A(
~ everywhere,
Given ( A)
~ n
~ n
or ( A)
on a closed surface
and given A
~
~
a unique solution for A(x) exists.

Steps for proving uniqueness theorem 3

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~ 1 and A
~ 2 , and define ~a = A
~1 A
~2
Consider two solutions A

Using
H
R
R
~ = (~a)(~a)dV ~a[(~a)]dV ,
[~a(~a)]d S
Show that | ~a| = 0 everywhere in the enclosed volume
= 0 or ( ~a) n
= 0 at the boundary)
(Use ~a n
= 0 on some part of the boundary
One may have ~a n
~

and ( a) n = 0 on the remainder.

~a n
: tangential component of ~a to the surface

~
A caution about 2 A

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~ 6= (2 Ax )x + (2 Ay )y + (2 Az )z
2 A
~ is defined through
In fact 2 A
~ = ( A)
~ + ( A)
~
2 A

(4)

Uniqueness theorems: applications

If a solution is found by hook by or crook, we can be sure

that this is the only solution

A search for simple solutions, with certain symmetry

properties, if successful, can solve the problem completely.

Tricks like the method of images work.

Coming up...

Uniqueness theorems

Separation of variables for 2 = 0

When to use

This technique works when there is some symmetry in the

boundary conditions of the problem, which suggests the use of
certain coordinates.

If the boundary conditions are of the form

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(x = a) = 0 , for all (y , z) cartesian coordinates

(r = a) = 0 , for all (, ) spherical polar coordinates

(r = a) = 0 , for all (z, ) cylindrical coordinates

Cartesian coordinates

(x, y , z) = X (x)Y (y )Z (z)

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(5)

Form of the solution:


X (x) =

Aeikx x + Beikx x
Aex x + Bex x

(6)

Similarly for Y (y ) and Z (z).

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The solutions along x, y , z direction can be individually

oscillatory (eikx ) or hyperbolic (ex ).

All three solutions cannot be propagating simultaneously,

neither can all be hyperbolic at the same time.

Spherical polar coordinates

(r , , ) = R` (r )m
` ()m ()

Form of the solution

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R` = A`r ` + B` r `1
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A` = 0 if the solution is to be finite at infinity,

B` = 0 if it is to be finite at the origin

m
m
m
` () = C` P` (cos ) + D` Q` (cos )
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P`m , Q`m : associated Legendre polynomials

P`m = |Y`m |, magnitudes of spherical harmonics
D` = 0 if the solution is finite along z axis, since Q`m blows
up there


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() =
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Eeim + Feim (m 6= 0)
E + F
(m = 0)

Azimuthal symmetry m = 0
single-valued solution E = 0
P`0 (cos ) = P` (cos ), Legendre polynomials

(7)

Cylindrical coordinates
(r , , z) = Rn (r )n ()Z (z)

Form of the solution

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An Jn (kr ) + Bn Nn (kr ) (k 6= 0)
An r n + Bn r n
(k = 0, n 6= 0)
Rn (r ) =

A ln r + B
(k = n = 0)
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Jn : Bessel functions, Kn : associated Bessel functions

Bn = 0 if is to be finite at the origin


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n () =
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Azimuthal symmetry n = 0
single-valued solution C = 0


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Z (z) =
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Cn ein + Dn ein (n 6= 0)
C + D
(n = 0)

Eekz + Fekz
Ez + F

(k 6= 0)
(k = 0)

Z (z) can be oscillatory, in which case Rn (r ) involves

modified Bessel functions

(8)

Recap of topics covered in this lecture

~ given its divergence and curl

Uniqueness theorem for V,
both of which fall sufficiently fast at infinity

Uniqueness theorem for , given 2 everywhere

) on a closed boundary.
and or ( n
~ given ( A)
~ everywhere
Uniqueness theorem for A,
~
~
and the components of A or ( A) tangential to a closed

boundary
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Solutions with separation of variables in the cartesian,

spherical and cylindrical coordinates