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Multipole PDF
Multipole PDF
Steven Errede
LECTURE NOTES 8
POTENTIAL APPROXIMATION TECHNIQUES:
THE ELECTRIC MULTIPOLE EXPANSION
AND MOMENTS OF THE ELECTRIC CHARGE DISTRIBUTION
There are often situations that arise where an observer is far away from a localized charge
distribution ( r ) and wants to know what the potential V ( r ) and / or the electric field
intensity E ( r ) are far from the localized charge distribution.
If the localized charge distribution has a net electric charge Qnet, then far away from this
localized charge distribution, the potential V ( r ) to a good approximation will behave very much
like that of a point charge,
1 Qnet 1 Qnet
V far ( r ) and E far ( r ) = V far ( r )
4 o r 4 o r 2
when the field point source charge separation distance, r d , the characteristic size of the
charge distribution.
However, as the observer moves in closer and closer to the localized charge distribution
( r ) , he/she will discover that increasingly V ( r ) (and hence E ( r ) ) may deviate more and
more from pure point charge behavior, because ( r ) is an extended source charge distribution.
Furthermore, ( r ) may be such that Qnet 0 , but that does NOT necessarily imply that
V ( r ) = 0 (and E ( r ) =0)!
Example:
A pure, physical electric dipole is a spatially-extended, simple charge distribution where Qnet = 0
but V ( r ) 0 and E ( r ) = V ( r ) 0 , as shown in the figure below:
+q r+ P (field point)
r
A pure physical electric dipole is d
composed of two opposite electric r
charges separated by a distance d:
First, let us be very careful / wise as to our choice of coordinate system. A wrong choice of
coordinate system will unnecessarily complicate the mathematics and obscure the physics we are
attempting to learn about the nature / behavior of this system.
a.) q+ z b.) z
y
rdipole
'
y y
q x
x q x
Physical electric dipole has axial symmetry choose z axis to be along line separating q+ and q.
Choose x-y plane to lie mid-way between q+ and q:
z P (field point)
r+
n.b. This problem +q r
now has no Mathematical expressions obtained for
-dependence d r y V ( r ) , E ( r ) = V ( r ) for this choice
of coordinate system for the physical
electric dipole can be explicitly and
x q rigorously related to more complicated
/ tedious mathematical expressions for
a.) and b.) above via coordinate
translations & rotations!
z
P (field point)
+q r+
r+ r Source Charge Locations
1
2 d r+ = + 12 dz, r+ = 12 d
r y r = 12 dz, r = 12 d
d
1
2 d
x r
q
q+ +q c P q P
b
a
b c
a
q
2 2
d d d d
r = + r 2 2 r cos
2
+ r = + r 2 2 r cos ( )
2
2 2 2 2
2 2
d d
= + r 2 dr cos = + r 2 + dr cos
2 2
2 2
d d
= r + rd cos
2
= r + + rd cos
2
2 2
VTOT ( r ) = V+ q ( r ) + V q ( r ) Vdipole ( r )
1 +q 1 q +q 1
V+ q ( r ) = = =
4 o r+ 4 o r 2 + ( d 2 ) rd cos
2 4 o r 2 + ( d 2 ) rd cos
2
1 q 1 q q 1
V q ( r ) = = =
4 o r 4 o r 2 + ( d 2 ) + rd cos
2 4 o r 2 + ( d 2 ) + rd cos
2
1 +q 1 q
Vdipole ( r ) = V+ q ( r ) + V q ( r ) =
4 o r+ 4 o r
1 q 1 q
=
4 o r + ( d 2 ) rd cos
2 2 4 o r + ( d 2 ) + rd cos
2 2
q 1 1
=
4 o r 2 + ( d 2 )2 rd cos r + ( d 2 ) + rd cos
2 2
This is an exact analytic mathematical expression for the potential associated with a pure
( Qnet = 0 ) physical electric dipole with charges +q and q separated from each other by a
distance d. Note further that, because of the judicious choice of coordinate system and the
intrinsic (azimuthal) symmetry, Vdipole ( r ) has no -dependence.
The exact analytic expression for potential associated with pure physical electric dipole:
q 1 1
Vdipole ( r ) =
4 o r 2 + ( d 2 )2 rd cos r 2
+ ( )
d 2
2
+ rd cos
In such situations, when r d an approximate solution for Vdipole ( r ) which has the benefit
of reduced mathematical complexity, will suffice to give a good / reasonable physical
description of the intrinsic physics, accurate e.g. to 1% (or better) when compared directly to the
exact analytical expression over the range of distance scales r d that are of interest to us.
Thus for r > d , the exact expressions for the r+ and r separation distances are:
r+ = r 2 + ( d 2 ) rd cos r = r 2 + ( d 2 ) + rd cos
2 2
2 2
d d d d
= r 1+ r cos = r 1+ r + cos
2 r 2 r
2 2
1d d 1d d
= r 1 + cos = r 1 + + cos
4 r r 4 r r
1 1 1 1
Then: = and: =
r+ r 1 + + r r 1 +
with: + 1 and: 1
Now if + 1 and 1 , we can use the Binomial Expansion (a specific version of the more
generalized Taylor Series Expansion) of the expression:
1 1 1 1i3 2 1i3i5 3
= (1 + ) 2 = 1 + + ... ... (Valid on the interval: 1 +1 )
1+ 2 2i4 2i4i6
Since is already <<1, then the higher-order terms ( ) , ( ) , ( ) ,... etc. are incredibly
2 3 4
q 1 1 q 1 1
V dipole ( r ) = (1 2 + ) (1 2 )
1 1
4 o r+ r 4 o r r
Then:
q 1 q 1 1
=
4 o x
{
1 2 + 1 + 2 =
1 1
} {( 2 ) ( + )}
4 o r
2 2
1d d 1d d
Now: + cos and: + cos
4 r r 4 r r
q 1 1 1 d d 1 d 2 d
2
q 1 d q d qd 1
Thus: Vdipole ( r ) cos = 2 cos = cos
4 o r r 4 o r 4 o r 2
Thus, we may also express the potential of a pure physical dipole as:
qd 1 p 1
Vdipole ( r ) = 2 cos = cos (valid for d << r)
4 o r 4 o r 2
1 1
Note that: Vdipole ( r ) 2
whereas Vmonopole ( r ) (valid for point charge q located at origin)
r r
We define the vector electric dipole moment as: p qd where the charge-separation distance
vector d points (by convention) from q to +q:
+q
p qd SI Units of p = Coulomb-meters
d d
P (field point)
+q
r
d d
p qd y
q
x
Thus here if: p = qd = qdz but: z = cos r then: p = qd = qdz = qd cos r = p cos r
qd 1 qd cos 1 p cos 1
Then: Vdipole ( r ) 2 cos = =
4 o r 4 o r 2 4 o r 2
(
The potential Vdipole ( r ) associated with an electric dipole moment p p = qd = qdz from a pure,)
physical electric dipole oriented with d = dz , for r d is thus given by:
p cos 1 p ir 1
Vdipole ( r ) = where: p ir = p cos = qd cos
4 o r 2 4 o r 2
The electric field Edipole ( r ) associated with a pure, physical electric dipole,
with electric dipole moment p = qd = qdz is:
Vdipole ( r ) 1 2p
Erdipole ( r ) = = cos
r 4 o r 3
1 Vdipole ( r ) 1 p
Edipole ( r ) = = sin
r 4 o r 3
1 Vdipole ( r )
Edipole ( r ) = =0
r sin
Explicitly, the electric field intensity of a pure, physical electric dipole with electric dipole
moment p = qd = qdz (in spherical-polar coordinates) is:
1 2p 1 p 1 p
Edipole ( r ) = cos r + sin = 2 cos r + sin
4 o r 3
4 o r 3
4 o r 3
1 1
Note that: Edipole ( r ) 3
(c.f. w/ Emonopole ( r ) 2 for single point charge q at r = 0 ).
r r
Note also that Vdipole ( r ) and Edipole ( r ) have no explicit -dependence, since the charge
configuration for an electric dipole is manifestly axially / azimuthally symmetric
(i.e. charge configuration for electric dipole is invariant under arbitrary -rotations).
p ir 1
Now: Vdipole ( r ) = with electric dipole moment p = qdz, and pir = p cos = qd cos ,
4 o r 2
(since z ir = cos ), and r 2 = x 2 + y 2 + z 2 in Cartesian/rectangular coordinates.
In Cartesian/rectangular coordinates the electric field intensity of a pure, physical electric dipole
with electric dipole moment p = qd = qdz (in spherical-polar coordinates) is:
E dipole ( r ) = Vdipole ( r ) = x + y + z Vdipole ( r ) = Exdipole x + E ydipole y + Ezdipole z
x y z
It is a straight-forward exercise to show that the electric field components associated with a pure
physical electric dipole with electric dipole moment p = qd = qdz (in Cartesian coordinates) are:
In coordinate-free form, it is also a straight-forward exercise (try it!!!) to show that the electric
field intensity of a pure physical electric dipole with electric dipole moment p = qd = qdz is of
the form:
1 1
physical
Edipole (r ) = 3 ( p ir ) r p
4 o r 3
1 1 1
point
Edipole (r ) = 3 3 ( p ir ) r p p 3 (r )
4 o r 3 o
E Field Lines & Equipotentials Associated with a Pure, Physical Electric Dipole:
n.b. Equipotentials
are to lines of
E ( r ) everywhere!
We explicitly show here that the electric field associated with a pure physical electric dipole
with electric dipole moment p = pz = qdz can be written in coordinate-free form as:
1 1
physical
Edipole (r ) = 3 ( p ir ) r p
4 o r 3
We have already shown (above) that:
1 p
physical
Edipole (r ) =
3 2 cos r + sin
4 o r
Now: p = pz and z = cos r sin (in spherical-polar coordinates)
Thus: pir = pp ir = pz ir z r
( )
But: z ir = cos r sin ir = cos
And: rir = 1 , ir = 0
Thus: p ir = p cos
= ( p i r ) r
( )
And: p = ( pir ) r + pi = p cos r p sin O y
So therefore:
3 ( p ir ) r p = 3 p cos r p cos r + p sin
= 2 p cos r + p sin x
= p 2 cos r + sin
1 1
Thus: Edipole
physical
(r ) = 3 ( p ir ) r p Q.E.D.
4 o r 3
We have seen that a pure, physical electric dipole was constructed by:
1. Starting with a monopole electric moment (i.e. charge +Q)
2. Copying it
3. Charge-conjugating (+Q Q) the copied charge
4. Displacing the conjugated charge Q from the original charge +Q by a separation distance d
1. z 2. z 3. z
copy
+Q +Q +Q +Q Q
d d d
Q Q Q Q +Q
4. z
+Q Q
= 2Q Q +Q
Q
d Translation of charge-conjugated
copy along axis of original dipole
+Q by amount d.
z P (Field Point)
ra Note that this linear electric quadrupole has
+Q axial / aximuthal symmetry i.e. because
r all charges (+Q, 2Q, +Q) are co-linear
d (all on z axis), problem is invariant under
(arbitrary) -rotations.
2Q y Vquad ( r ) and Equad ( r ) will have no
explicit -dependence for the linear
d x electric quadrupole.
rb
+Q n.b. QTOT = 0 for pure electric quadrupole.
Again, using the Law of Cosines: ra2 = r 2 + d 2 2rd cos and rb2 = r 2 + d 2 + rd cos
We obtain:
1 Q r r Exact analytic
Vquad ( r ) = 2 2+
4 o r r + d 2 2rd cos r 2 + d 2 + 2rd cos expression
Again, for regime where the observation point P is far away from pure, physical, linear electric
r r
quadrupole, i.e. r >> d, we expand and in a binomial (i.e. Taylor) series
ra rb
(as was done previously for the case of a pure, physical electric dipole).
Neglecting terms in these expansions that are higher order than linear (i.e. > ( d r ) ) we obtain:
2
d ( 3cos 1)
2 2
r d
1 cos +
ra r r 2
d ( 3cos 1)
2 2
r d
1 + cos +
rb r r 2
x = cos
P2 ( x ) =
( 3x 2
1)
P2 ( cos ) =
( 3cos 1)
2
2 2
2 2
r d d r d d
P0 ( ) P1 ( ) + P2 ( ) and P0 ( ) + P1 ( ) + P2 ( )
ra r r rb r r
1 Q d ( 3cos 1)
2
1 Q r r
2
Vquad ( r ) = 2 + = 2
4 o r ra b
r 4 r r 2
o
2Qd 2 1 3cos 2 1
=
4 o r 3 2
1
Note that: Vquad ( r ) (c.f. with Vmonopole ( r ) 1 r and Vdipole ( r ) 1 2 )
r3 r
Note further that: Vquad ( r ) must be proportional to an even power of l, i.e. Pl =even ( ) because a
pure, physical, linear electric quadrupole has reflection symmetry about the z -axis (i.e. about
= / 2 ) (i.e. a rotation from / by a vector lying in x y plane e.g. x or y axis).
z z
( )
+Qa +Qb P2 ( ) = 1
2 ( 3cos 1)
2
We can also see that Vdipole ( r ) must be proportional to an odd power of l, i.e. Pl =odd ( ) because a
pure, physical, linear electric dipole has a sign change under reflection symmetry about = / 2
z z
( ) P1 ( ) = cos
+Q Q is an odd function under
( ) reflection:
p = Qdz p = Qdz P1 ( ) = P1 ( )
=0
cos ( ) = cos cos + sin sin
Q +Q = cos
3. The electric quadrupole also has an accompanying electric quadrupole moment Q 2Qdd
(n.b. Q is a tensor quantity) (SI units of Q : Coulomb-meters2)
Formally speaking, Q is a rank-2 tensor (i.e. a 2-dimensional matrix) - the 9 elements of the
Q tensor (in general) are:
Qxx Qyz Qzx n.b. Q has only six independent components, because Qij = Qji
Q = Qxy Qyy Qzy i.e. Qxy = Qyx
Qxz Qyz Qzz Qxz = Qzx
Qyz = Qzy
Also, note that: Qxx + Qyy + Qzz = 0 or: Qzz = (Qxx+Qyy) {i.e. Q is traceless}
The quadrupole moment tensor can also be written in coordinate-free form, e.g. in Cartesian
coordinates as:
n = # discrete charges qi
( 3r r 1r ) q
n
Q 1
2 i i i
2
i with ri 2 = ri iri
i =1
xx 0 0
Unit Dyadic: 1 0
yy 0
0 0
zz
For the case of a pure, linear (i.e. axially/azimuthally symmetric) electric quadrupole with
quadrupole moment Q (e.g. oriented along the z -axis):
z
Here, Qxx = Qyy, and since: Qxx + Qyy + Qzz = 0
+Q
d Then: Qzz = 2Qxx = 2Qyy 2Qd 2 All other Qij vanish (= 0) for i j
2Q 1 0 0
n.b. conventions / definitions of
d i.e. Qquad = Qd 0 1 0
linear 2
linear
Qquad differ in different textbooks!!!
+Q 0 0 +2
For the case of a pure, linear (i.e. axially/azimuthally symmetric) electric quadrupole with
quadrupole moment Q (oriented along the z -axis), expressed in Cartesian coordinates:
( 3r r 1r ) q
n
ra Q 1
2 i i i
2
i with ri 2 = ri iri
i =1
+Q r Unit Dyadic:
d rb 0 0
xx
2Q y 1 0 yy
0
d 0 0
zz
+Q
x i = 1: r1 = + dz q1 = + Q ri = ri
i = 2 : r2 = 0 z q2 = 2Q
i = 3 : r3 = dz q3 = + Q
2 =0 1
=0
1
Thus: Q = Q 3d 2 zz
2
(
d 2 1 Q 3i 0 zz
2 )
0i1 + Q 3d 2 zz
2
d 2 1 = Qd 2 3zz
1 ( ) ( )
for charge 1:
for charge 3:
+ Q @ r1 =+ dz for charge 2: + Q @ r3 = dz
2Q @ r2 = 0 z
3 zz
1
Q = Qd 2 3 zz (
1 = 2Qd 2 )
2
2Qd 2 1 ( 3cos 1) 2Qd 2 1
2
1
Then: Vquad ( r )
4 o r 3 2
= P2 ( cos )
4 o r 3
P2 ( cos ) =
2
( 3cos2 1)
We can express Vquad ( r ) in a different (but totally equivalent manner), using the fact(s) that:
coordinate-free form
1 1 2Qd 2 1 ri 3zz
1 ir ( )
Vquad ( r ) r iQir =
4 o r 3
( )
4 o r 3 2
2Qd 2 1 3 ( ri z )( z ir ) ri1ir 2Qd 2 1 3cos 2 1
= = 3
4 o r 3 2 4 o r 2
P2 ( cos )
2Qd 2 1
= P2 ( cos )
4 o r 3
axially-symmetric
Vquad ( r ) as given above is valid for a pure, linear, physical electric quadrupole oriented along
the z -axis, for r (observation / field point) >> d.
The potential Vquad ( r ) and electric field intensity Equad ( r ) associated with a pure, physical,
linear electric quadrupole with quadrupole moment Q (oriented along the z -axis) are:
2Qd 2 1 3cos 2 1
Vquad ( r ) =
4 o r 3 2
Explicitly writing out the form of the electric field intensity Equad ( r ) for a pure, linear, physical
electric quadrupole oriented along the z -axis, for r (observation / field point) >> d:
E -field lines & equipotentials associated with a pure, physical, linear electric quadrupole:
n.b. E -field lines to equipotentials everywhere in space
The next higher order pure, linear physical multipole is known as the pure, linear physical
electric octupole. We can construct / create it (as before) by:
1. z 2. z z 3. z z
copy
+Q +Q +Q +Q Q
d d d
2Q 2Q 2Q 2Q + +2Q
d d d
+Q +Q +Q +Q Q
4. z z
+Q Q
Original Charge-Conjugated Copy
2Q +2Q
= 0Q +Q Q
Q
+2Q
z
P (Observation / Field point)
+Q ra
Q Note: QTOT = 0
The electric field intensity associated with a pure, physical, linear multipole moment is of the
1 M
form: E ( r ) = V ( r )
4 o r + 2
r = r r r = r = r r
cos = rir = cosine of opening angle between vectors r and r .
= opening angle between vectors r and r - very important!
If the observation / field point P is far away from electric charge distribution ( r ) such that:
r= r a = a = maximum distance of ( r ) to origin then for r >> a (a = max value of r ):
r 2 r r
2
r
r 2 = r 2 1 + 2 cos or: r = r 1 + 2 cos
r r r r
1 for r a
2
r r
Define: 2 cos for r >> a (a = max value of r )
r r
1 ( r) 1 1
Now: V ( r ) = = (1 + )
1 2
4 o
v
r
d with:
r r
1 1 1 1 2 n 1 1 3 2 5 3
= (1 + ) =
1/ 2
= 1 + + ...
r r r n=0 n r 2 8 16
1 2 ( 1) ( n 12 )
n
1 1 1 r r
2 2 3 3
3 r r 5 r r
Then: = 1 2 cos + 2 cos 2 cos + ...
r r 2 r r 8 r r 16 r r
1 1 r
Hence: = P ( cos ) where = opening angle between r and r .
r r =0 r
2
1 r r
This remarkable result occurs because (where 2 cos ) is known as the
1+ r r
Generating Function for the Legendr Polynomials!!!
1 1
Then, since V ( r ) = ( r ) r d for r >> a (a = max value of r ), the potential outside
4 o v
1 1
Then defining: V outside ( r ) = ( r ) ( r ) P ( cos ) d
4 o r +1 v
Having obtained Voutside ( r ) , we can then obtain Eoutside ( r ) = Voutside ( r ) , and thus we see that:
Eoutside ( r ) = E outside ( r ) = V outside ( r ) i.e. E outside ( r ) = V outside ( r )
=0 =0
Multipole
4 o r +1 4 o r + 2 (coulomb-metersb)
(rank- tensor)
Voutside ( r ) = Vl (r ) =
1 1
1 1
( r )d + 2 r i r ( r ) d + 3
(3 ( rir) 2
r 2 ) ( r) d + ....
outside
l =0 4 o r v r v r 2
v
Q
1 Net pir riQir
Thus, we see that: outside ( )
V r = + + + .....
4 o r r2 r3
monopole dipole quadrupole
term term term
The multipole expansion of Voutside ( r ) which contains the opening angle between r (field
point) and r (source point) can be rewritten in terms of ( and ) for r and ( and ) for r
using the so-called Addition Theorem for Spherical Harmonics:
1 1
( r )
= +1 P ( cos ) =
+
4 ( r ) *
Then: =
r r r l =0 r =0
2
m =
+ 1 r +1
Y m ( , ) Y m ( , )
1 1 + 4
Thus: = ( r ) ( r ) Y ,m ( , ) Y , m ( , ) d
4 o =0 r +1 v m = 2l + 1
*
+
= V outside
m (r )
= 0 m =
1 4 ( r )
where: V outside (r ) = +1 ( r ) Y , m ( , ) Y ,m ( , ) d
*
4 o 2 + 1 v r
m
1 4 1
+
Voutside ( r ) =
4 o =0 2l + 1 r +1 v
( r ) ( r )
m =
Y *,m ( , ) Y ,m ( , ) d
Thus:
1
4 1 + *
=
4 o
2l + 1 r
+1
m =
Y ,m ( , ) ( r ) ( r )Y , m ( , ) d
=0 v
The Yl ,m ( , ) are the Spherical Harmonics; and are the polar & azimuthal angles for r ,
the vector from the origin to the field point, P and and are the polar & azimuthal angles
for r , the vector from the origin to the source point, S .
+
1 + 4 1 *
Then: Voutside ( r ) = V outside ( r ) = Y ,m ( , ) q , m
4 o =0 m = 2 + 1 r +1
,m
= 0 m =
i.e. E outside
,m ( r ) = V outside
,m (r )
The main advantage of using these seemingly more complex expressions for V outside
,m (r )
involving the Y *m ( , ) and Y m ( , ) spherical harmonics is that they are directly connected to
a right-handed x y z coordinate system. The earlier expression for Voutside ( r ) involving the
P ( cos ) Legendr Polynomials, it must be kept in mind at all times that = opening angle
between field point r and source point r .
The explicit derivation of Voutside ( r ) using the Addition Theorem for Spherical Harmonics:
1 4 1 + *
Voutside ( r ) = Y m ( , ) ( r ) ( r ) Y m ( , ) d
4 o =0 2 + 1 r +1 m = v
q m
(electric multipole moment of order & m )
thus makes it explicitly clear that Voutside ( r ) = fcn ( r , , ) only all source variable
( r , , ) dependence has been integrated out, in carrying out the integral over the volume v !!!
Thus Voutside ( r ) is fully capable of correctly/exactly describing many other kinds of multipole
moments we have not yet discussed, e.g.:
a. z b. z c. z
+Q
x x x
(x-axis) (y-axis) (x-y plane)
Q
d/2 (3-D dipole)
y
x d/2 +Q
a. z b. z c. z
+Q
d/2 Q +Q
d/2 +Q Q d/2 Q d/2 d/2
Q d/2 y d/2 y y
d/2 d/2 Q d/2 +Q d/2 d/2 Q
+Q +Q
x x x
A point charge Q located at the origin of coordinates (x,y,z) = (0,0,0) is a pure electric
monopole. However, a point charge Q located some distance d along d from the origin is no
longer a pure electric monopole! The monopole moment Q = QTOT does not change, but V0 ( r )
1 Q
(where = 0) does change, because V ( r ) = is not quite correct the exact potential
4 o r
1 Q
is V ( r ) = and r r; however r r when r >> r .
4 o r
- For higher electric moments, if (and only if) QTOT = QNET = 0, then (pure) electric
moment M (where > 0) is independent of choice of origin of coordinate system.
- If net / total charge QNET = QTOT 0, then the higher-order electric moment(s)
M (where > 0) can be made to vanish if one chooses the origin or coordinates to be
located at the charge-weighted center of charge, then r = 0 .
q m = ( r ) ( r ) Y m ( , ) d = 0 if r = 0
v
2Q +Q Q +Q Q (origin)
d = d z + d z
p1 = Qdz p2 = Qdz
If the origin is displaced from the center of charge for electric dipole by an amount a :
p* = r * ( r )d p* = ( r + a ) ( r ) d
v v
then: = r ( r ) d + a ( r ) d
v v
= p + a ( r ) d = p + QNet a = p + porigin
v
= QNet ( = QTot )
If QNET 0, then the choice of origin does matter; because the electric dipole moment p
depends on the choice of origin !!!
The Potential for a Pure Physical Electric Quadrupole (in Cartesian Coordinates)
Not Necessarily With Colinear Charges
The potential for a pure, physical electric quadrupole (not necessarily with collinear charges) can
be written in Cartesian coordinates as:
1 3 3 1 xi x j
Vquad ( r ) = 5 ( 3 xi x j r ij ) ( r ) d
2
4 o i =1 j =1 2 r v
1 3 3
1 xi x j
or as: Vquad ( r ) =
4 o
2 5 Qij
i =1 j =1 r
(
with elements of the quadrupole moment tensor Qij 3xi xj r 2 ij ( r ) d
v
)
with r 2 = x2 + y2 + z 2 = x12 + x2 2 + x3 2
and where the summations i = 1, 2, 3 and j = 1, 2, 3 represent sums over the {1,x ,2,3
y , z } components
and also: Qij = Q ji for i j , i.e. Q12 = Q21 , Q13 = Q31 and Q23 = Q32 .
1 1
Vquad ( r ) = 3xy xy ( r ) d + 3 zx xz ( r ) d + 3 yz yz ( r ) d
4 o r 5 v v v
1 1 1
+
2
( 3x 2 1) x2 ( r ) d + ( 3 y 2 1) y2 ( r ) d + ( 3z 2 1) z 2 ( r ) d
2 2
v v v
The 9 elements of the quadrupole moment tensor Q (in Cartesian coordinates) are thus:
Mean square of xixj (multiplied by q).
Qxx = x2 ( r ) d = qx
2 2
= q x
v
Qyy = y2 ( r ) d = q y
2 2
= q y
v
Qzz = z 2 ( r ) d = qz
2 2
= q z
n.b. The Quadrupole Moment Tensor
v
Qxy = xy ( r ) d = qxy = q xy = Qyx Q has only 6 independent components
v
Qyz = yz ( r ) d = q yz = q yz = Qzy
v
Qzx = z x ( r ) d = qz x = q z x = Qxz
v
Then:
1 1 1 1 1
Vquad ( r ) = 5 3 xyQxy + 3 yzQyz + 3 xzQxz + ( 3 x 1) Qxx + ( 3 y 1) Qyy + ( 3 z 1) Qzz
2 2 2
4 o r 2 2 2
1 1 5
q00 = q q20 = Q33
4 2 4
3 1 15
q10 = q21 = ( Q13 iQ23 ) with q m = ( 1) q*m
m
pz
4 3 8
3 1 15
q11 =
8
( px ip y ) q22 =
12 2
( Q11 2iQ12 Q22 )
The Energy / Work Associated With a Charge Distribution ( r ) Located at (or Near) the
Origin of the Coordinate System in an External Electric Field Eext ( r )
For r >> a (a = max value of r ), the energy / work associated with a charge distribution in an
external field Eext ( r ) is given by:
1 3 3 E ext
W = QVext ( r = 0 ) p i Eext ( r = 0 )
6 i =1 j =1
Qij
j
xi
....
r =0 xi = 0
= refpt. . Eext i dl
Eext ( r = 0 ) = Vext ( r = 0 )
respectively; i.e. i, j = 1: x1 x i, j = 2: x2 y i, j = 3: x3 z
1
4 +
1 *
Note: The multipole expansion method for Voutside ( r ) =
4 o
2l + 1 r
=0 m =
+1 m (
Y , ) q m
It can then be seen that the electric multipole moments q m are the strengths (i.e. coefficients)
( , m ) -order multipoles of the electric charge distribution ( r ) !!!
th
associated with the
Electrostatic Forces and Torques Acting on Multipole Moments of the Charge Distribution
The net force and torque acting on the charge distribution as an expansion in multipole moments
are given below:
j ( r = 0)
1 3 3 E ext
F ( r ) = qE ( r = 0 ) + p i E ( r )
r =0
(
+ Qij
6 i =1 j =1
) xi
x =0
+ ....
i
1 3 3
( r ) = ( p E ( r )) + Q E
2j j
ext
( r = 0 ) j ( r = 0)
Q3 j E ext
r =0 3 x3 j =1 x2 j =1 r =0
3 3
+ Q3 j E ext
j ( r = 0 ) Q1 j E extj ( r = 0 )
x1 j =1 x3 j =1 r =0
3 3
+ Q1 j E j ( r = 0 ) Q2 j E j ( r = 0 ) + ....
ext ext
x2 j =1 x1 j =1 r =0