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Bessel Functions PDF
Bessel Functions PDF
McKelliget, 2002
Bessel Functions
The following differential equations are identical, and are known as Bessel's equation
d 2y dy
x2 +x
+ (x 2 n 2 ) y = 0
2
dx
dx
d dy 2 2 y
x + (x n ) = 0
dx dx x
This equation is solved using series solutions. The general solution of this equation has
the form
y ( x ) = AJ n ( x ) + BYn ( x)
where Jn is a Bessel function of the first kind of order n, and Yn is a Bessel function of the
second kind of order n.
1
1
0.5
J0( x )
0 10 20 30 40 50
0.402556 0.5
0 x 50
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J. McKelliget, 2002
1
0.520784
0.5
10 20 30 40 50
Y0( x ) 0.5
1.5
1.534239 2
0.1 x 50
0.6
0.581517
0.4
0.2
J1( x )
0 10 20 30 40 50
0.2
0.345961 0.4
0 x 50
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J. McKelliget, 2002
2
0.416674
10 20 30 40 50
Y1( x )
6.458951 8
0.1 x 50
d 2y dy
x2 +x (x 2 + n 2 ) y = 0
2 dx
dx
d dy 2 2 y
x (x + n ) = 0
dx dx x
This is the same as the Bessel equation except that the last term has the opposite sign.
The general solution of this equation has the form
y ( x ) = AI n ( x) + BK n ( x)
where In is a modified Bessel function of the first kind of order n and Kn is a modified
Bessel function of the second kind of order n.
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J. McKelliget, 2002
12
11.301922
10
I0( x ) 6
1
0 1 2 3 4
0 x 4
2.5
2.427069
1.5
K0( x )
0.5
0.01116
1 2 3 4
0.1 x 4
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J. McKelliget, 2002
10
9.759465
I1( x )
0
0 1 2 3 4
0 x 4
10
9.853845
K1( x )
0.012483
1 2 3 4
0.1 x 4
The Bessel functions and Modified Bessel functions are obtained from series solutions of
the appropriate Bessel equation, and are complicated polynomials in x. Explicit formulas
for, and relations between, the Bessel functions are readily available in the following
reference:
http://mintaka.sdsu.edu/faculty/wfw/ABRAMOWITZ-STEGUN/index.htm
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J. McKelliget, 2002
Both the MATHCAD and MATLAB programs contain standard routines to evaluate
Bessel functions. During this course we will introduce relevant properties of Bessel
functions as needed.
Bessel functions of the first and second kind behave a little like sine and cosine functions,
but typically arise in problems expressed in cylindrical geometries. Modified Bessel
functions of the first and second kind behave like sinh and cosh functions, and, again, are
typically encountered in problems expressed in cylindrical geometries.
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