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Lecture Notes 16
LECTURE NOTES 16
THE MAGNETIC VECTOR POTENTIAL A ( r )
We saw in electrostatics that E = 0 {always} (due to intrinsic / microscopic nature of the
electrostatic field) permitted us to introduce a scalar potential V ( r ) such that:
E ( r ) V ( r ) {n.b. V ( r ) is uniquely defined, up to an (arbitrary) constant.}
Analogously, in magnetostatics, the i B ( r ) = 0 (always) { no magnetic charges / no
magnetic monopoles} permits us to introduce a magnetic vector potential A ( r ) such that:
B (r ) A(r )
Teslas
TeslaMeters
Then: i B ( r ) = i A ( r ) = 0 {always}
The divergence of a curl of a vector field F ( r ) is always zero
Amperes Law:
In differential form:
B ( r ) = A ( r ) = i A ( r ) 2 A ( r ) = o J free ( r )
Now, just as in the case of electrostatics, where V ( r ) was uniquely defined up to an arbitrary
constant (Vo ) , then let: V ( r ) V ( r ) + Vo
=0
then:
E ( r ) = V ( r ) = (V ( r ) + Vo ) = V ( r ) Vo = V ( r )
i.e.
E ( r ) = V ( r ) = V ( r )
An analogous thing occurs in magnetostatics - we can add / we have the freedom to add to the
magnetic vector potential A ( r ) the gradient of any scalar function A ( r ) m ( r ) where
m ( r ) magnetic scalar potential SI Units of magnetic scalar potential m ( r ) = Tesla-m2
B ( r ) = A ( r ) = A ( r ) + A ( r ) = A ( r ) + A ( r ) = A ( r ) + m ( r )
= A(r )
Lecture Notes 16
Note that the magnetic scalar potential m ( r ) has same physical units as magnetic flux m :
Tesla-m2 = Weber
eeek!!!!
Please do NOT confuse the magnetic scalar potential m ( r ) (= a scalar point function,
whose value can change at each/every point in space, r ) with the magnetic flux m (which is a
constant scalar quantity (i.e. a pure number), independent of position) m ( r ) m !!!
Thus, like the scalar potential V ( r ) , the magnetic vector potential A ( r ) is (also) uniquely
defined, but only up to an (arbitrary) vector function A ( r ) = m ( r ) .
A ( r ) A ( r ) + A ( r ) = A ( r ) + m ( r )
The definition B ( r ) A ( r ) specifies the curl of A ( r ) , but in order to fully specify the
vector field A ( r ) , we additionally need to specify the divergence of A ( r ) , i A ( r ) .
We can exploit the freedom of the definition of A ( r ) to eliminate the divergence of A ( r )
- i.e. a specific choice of A ( r ) will make A ( r ) divergenceless: i A ( r ) = 0 Coulomb Gauge
If:
A ( r ) A ( r ) + A ( r ) = A ( r ) + m ( r )
Then: i A ( r ) = i A ( r ) + iA ( r ) = i A ( r ) + i m ( r ) = i A ( r ) + 2 m ( r )
While the original magnetic vector potential, A ( r ) is not/may not be divergenceless, we can
make A ( r ) = A ( r ) + A ( r ) = A ( r ) + m ( r ) divergenceless, i.e. i A ( r ) = 0 if we chose
A ( r ) = m ( r ) such that iA ( r ) = 2 m ( r ) = i A ( r ) Coulomb Gauge
A ( r ) Ax ( r )
Then: B ( r ) = Bo z = A ( r ) = y
z .
y
x
Thus (here): A ( r ) = Ax ( r ) x + Ay ( r ) y + Az ( r ) z = Ax ( r ) x + Ay ( r ) y
=0
1
2
B (r ) = A(r ) = y
z = 2 Bo + 2 Bo = Bo z
x
y
Lecture Notes 16
A A A ( 12 Bo y ) ( 12 Bo x ) ( 0 )
Is i A = 0 satisfied? i A = x + y + z =
+
+
= 0 Yes!!!
z
y
y
z
x
x
Note that we could also have instead chosen/used a different magnetic vector potential:
A ( r ) = A ( r ) + A ( r ) = A ( r ) + m ( r ) where e.g. A ( r ) = m ( r ) = Ao , i.e. where Ao is any
(arbitrary) constant vector, Ao = Aox x + Aoy y + Aoz z . Since (here) A ( r ) = m ( r ) = Ao , then
A ( r ) = m ( r ) = Ao = Aox x + Aoy y + Aoz z means that the gradient of the magnetic scalar
( Aoy y )
( Aox x )
( Aoz z )
x +
y +
z = Aox x + Aoy y + Aoz z = Ao = A ( r )
x
y
z
and thus the magnetic scalar potential itself (here) is: m ( r ) = Aox xx + Aoy yy + Aoz zz .
Thus, here for the case of a constant/uniform magnetic field B ( r ) = Bo z we see that there is
in fact a continuum of allowed magnetic vector potentials A ( r ) = A ( r ) + Ao = A ( r ) + m ( r )
that simultaneously satisfy B ( r ) = Bo z = A ( r ) and i A ( r ) = 0 with the addition of an
(arbitrary) constant magnetic vector potential Ao = Aox x + Aoy y + Aoz z contribution with
corresponding magnetic scalar potential m ( r ) = Aox xx + Aoy yy + Aoz zz . Note that this is exactly
analogous to the situation in electrostatics where the scalar electric potential V ( r ) is unique, up
to an arbitrary constant, Vo because there exists no absolute voltage reference in our universe
i.e. absolute measurements of the scalar electric potential are meaningless - only potential
differences have physical significance!!!
We used this simple example of the constant/uniform magnetic field B ( r ) = Bo z to elucidate
this particular aspect of the magnetic vector potential A ( r ) . Here in this particular example, we
found that the addition of an arbitrary constant vector
A ( r ) = Ao = Aox x + Aoy y + Aoz z = m ( r ) to the magnetic vector potential A ( r ) was allowed,
i.e. A ( r ) = A ( r ) + A ( r ) = A ( r ) + Ao , which leaves the magnetic field B ( r ) unchanged. In
general there are many instances involving more complicated physics situations,
where B ( r ) constant vector field, where indeed B ( r ) = A ( r ) and i A ( r ) = 0 are
simultaneously satisfied for A ( r ) = A ( r ) + A ( r ) , because it is possible to determine/find a
corresponding magnetic scalar potential m ( r ) for the problem satisfying 2 m ( r ) = i A ( r ) ,
but it is (very) important to understand that, in general, the allowed A ( r ) = m ( r ) (very
likely) may not be simply a constant vector field, but indeed one which varies in space (i.e. with
position vector, r )! Here again, however, the new A ( r ) = A ( r ) + A ( r ) will also be such that
Lecture Notes 16
Tot ( r )
in electrostatics!!!
0
If we assume that the equivalent magnetic volume charge density, m ( r ) 0 and we want
i A ( r ) = 0
Then: i A ( r ) + iA ( r ) = i A ( r ) + 2 m ( r ) = 0
Or:
i A ( r ) m ( r ) = 0 i A ( r ) = m ( r )
Then, the solution to Poissons equation for the magnetic scalar potential m ( r ) is of the form:
m ( r ) =
1
4
m ( r)
r
d Analogous to V ( r ) =
1
4 0
Tot ( r )
r
d in electrostatics
with r = r r
(n.b. these two relations are both valid assuming that m ( r ) and ToT ( r ) vanish when r !)
So then if m ( r ) = i A ( r ) , and m ( r ) = i A ( r ) vanishes as r , then the magnetic
scalar potential m ( r ) is given by:
m ( r ) =
1
4
m ( r)
r
d =
1
4
i A ( r )
d
v
r
{Note that if i A ( r ) = m ( r ) does not go to zero at infinity, then well have to use some other
means in order to obtain an appropriate m ( r ) , e.g. in an analogous manner to that which weve
had to do for the (electric) scalar potential V ( r ) associated with problems that have electric
charge distributions extending out to infinity.}
Thus, this choice of m ( r ) ensures that indeed we can always make the magnetic vector
potential A ( r ) divergenceless, i.e. the condition i A ( r ) = 0 (Coulomb Gauge) can always be
met, for the case of magnetostatics. Note that if m ( r ) = 0 then m ( r ) = i A ( r ) = 0 .
4
Lecture Notes 16
m ( r ) =
m ( r)
d and A ( r ) = A ( r ) + Ao = A ( r ) + m ( r ) , and i A ( r ) = 0
B ( r ) = A ( r ) = i A ( r ) 2 A ( r ) = 0 J free ( r )
=0
i.e.:
2 Ax ( r ) = o J x free ( r )
The three separate/independent scalar forms
2
Note that the unit vectors r, + for spherical-polar coordinates are in fact explicit functions of
the vector position, r i.e. r = r ( r ) , = ( r ) and = ( r ) and therefore r, + must also be
explicitly differentiated in calculating the Laplacian 2 of a vector function (here, A ( r ) ) in
curvilinear (i.e. either spherical-polar and/or cylindrical) coordinates!!! This is extremely
important to keep in mind, for the future
The safest way to calculate the Laplacian of a vector function 2 A ( r ) in terms of curvilinear
coordinates, is to NOT use curvilinear coordinates!!! Failing that, then one should use:
2 A ( r ) = i A ( r ) A ( r ) = A ( r )
= 0 in the
Coulomb Gauge
0
4
J free ( r )
r
d where r = r = r r
Lecture Notes 16
Generalizing this for a moving point charge as well as for line, surface and volume current
densities (with B ( r ) = A ( r ) ), we summarize these results in the following table:
v ( r )
o
q free
4
r
I free ( r )
A(r ) = o
d
4 C
r
d
= o I free
C r
4
A(r ) =
A(r ) =
0
4
A(r ) =
o
4
K free ( r )
J free ( r )
B (r ) =
v ( r ) r
o
q free
4
r2
B (r ) =
o
4
(I
free
( r) d
(
o
I free
C
4
B (r ) =
o
4
B (r ) =
o
4
da
r
d ( r ) r
r
K free ( r ) r
2
r
J free ( r ) r
r
) da
) d
Note that: A v , I , d , K , J i.e. A is always parallel to the direction of motion of current, with
For a pure point electric charge/point electric monopole moment, q we know that if it is moving
in the lab frame with speed v << c {c = speed of light in vacuum} that the magnetic field Bq ( r )
observed in the lab frame is:
Bq ( r ) = Aq ( r ) =
q
r
r
1
v Eq ( r ) =
v 2 = o qv 2
2
2
c
r 4
r
4 0 c
Thus in the lab frame where this charged particle is moving, the magnetic vector potential Aq ( r )
associated with this moving charged particle (as observed in the lab frame) has a non-zero curl.
Contrast this with the situation in the rest frame of this pure point electric charge particle, where
the magnetic field vanishes, i.e. the magnetic vector potential Aq ( r ) associated with this charged
particle has no curl!!!
1 V ( r , t )
in electrodynamics.
c2
t
connection between the A ( r , t ) field and electric scalar potential V ( r , t ) - they are in fact
the 3 spatial & 1 temporal components of the relativistic 4-potential in electrodynamics !!!
Lecture Notes 16
J ( r ) 0 everywhere in the region(s) of interest. These current-free regions must also be simplyconnected. {A region D (e.g. in a plane) is connected if any two points in the region can be
connected by a piecewise smooth curve lying entirely within D. A region D is a simply
connected region if every closed curve in D encloses only points that are in D.}
The use of B ( r ) = m ( r ) is in fact helpful for determining the magnetic fields associated
with e.g. current-carrying filamentary wires, current loops/magnetic dipoles, and e.g. the
magnetic fields associated with magnetized materials/magnetized objects.
The SI Units of the magnetic vector potential A are Tesla-meters (= magnetic field strength
per unit length), which is also equal to Newtons/Ampere (force per unit current) =
kg-meter/Ampere-sec2 = kg-meter/Coulomb-sec = (kg-meter/sec)/Coulomb = momentum per
unit charge, since (kg-meter/sec) are the physical units associated with momentum p = " mv " .
Thus, for the A -field:
1 Tesla-meter = 1 unit of
force
momentum
= 1 unit of
Ampere of current
Coulomb of charge
= 1 unit of
force
N
momentum
meter =
=
meter
Ampere of current
A m Coulomb of charge
Physically, the A -field has units of force per Ampere of current (or momentum per Coulomb of
electric charge), and thus physically, the magnetic field B ( r ) = A ( r ) is the curl of the force
per unit current (or momentum per unit charge) field. Note also that force, F = dP dt and
current, I = dQ dt such that the magnetic vector potential A physically also has units of
Force F dp / dt dp / dt p
=
=
and thus B is the curl of this physical quantity.
= =
Current I dq / dt dq / dt q
Lecture Notes 16
The Magnetic Vector Potential of a Long Straight Wire Carrying a Steady Current
For a filamentary wire carrying steady current I, the magnetic vector potential and magnetic field
d r
d
B (r ) = A(r ) = o I
and
are: A ( r ) = o I
r2
4 C r
4 C
Let the length of wire = 2L, and I = Iz and thus d = d z = dzz
r = r = r r = R2 +
dA ( r = Ry ) = o
4
d ( r ) o
=
I
r
d ( r)
I
R2 + 2
I
r
4
4
R2 + 2
d
z =+ L dzz
L
= 2 o
A ( r = Ry ) = dA ( r = Ry ) = o I
2
2
=
0
C
z
L
4
4
R +
R2 + 2
Now:
L
= o I ln + R 2 + 2 z = o I ln L + R 2 + L2 ln R
4
4
More generally, for a distance R away from a long straight wire of length 2L carrying a steady
current I:
2
L
A ( r = Ry ) = o I ln 1 + 1 + R
z
L
R
( )
If L >> R, then: A ( r = Ry ) o
4
2L
z {Since 1 + 1 for
I ln
R
1 .}
Lecture Notes 16
So, for a distance R away from a long straight wire of length 2L carrying a steady current I:
A ( r = Ry ) = o
4
2
L
R
ln
1
1
I
z = Az ( r = Ry ) z
+
+
( )
1 Az A
B ( = R) =
z
B ( = R) =
Or:
=0
=0
=0
A
1
A Az
+
+
( A )
=R
=R
1
R
0
z
Az
0
0
In Cylindrical Coordinates:
=
Az
= R
=R
B = 0
Bz = 0
Then: B ( = R ) =
Az
=R
Now if: U ( R ) L + L2 + R 2
dU ( R )
=
dR
= o I
ln L + L2 + R 2 ln R
4 R
R
1 dU ( R )
ln (U ( R ) ) =
=
R
U ( R ) dR
L + L2 + R 2
Since:
1
Az
Az
=
Thus: B = i R
= R
= R
R
Then:
Az
=R
=R
R
L2 + R 2
and:
)(
L2 + R 2
1
ln ( R ) ) =
(
R
R
B-field associated
with filamentary
R
1
wire of length 2L
Then finally: B ( = R ) = o I
2
2
R
2 2
carrying steady
L 1+ R
1+ 1+ R
L
L
current I.
I
Note that as L , then B ( = R ) = o i.e. exactly the same as we obtained for
2 R
-long straight filamentary wire carrying steady current I (see previous P435 Lecture Notes)!!!
( )
( )
Lecture Notes 16
Plane to
wires and
containing
separation
distance d
= + d z = + dzz
r 1 = r1 r1 = r r1
= d z = dzz
r 2 = r2 r2 = r r2
( r1 = r2 = r )
Then: A1 ( R1 ) + o
2
2L
z and
I ln
R1
A2 ( R2 ) o
2
2L
z
I ln
R1
2L
z
I ln
R2
Or:
10
R
R
ATOT ( r ) o I ln 2 z = o I ln 2 z for L >> R1, R2.
2
4
R1
R1
Lecture Notes 16
Now let us re-locate the local origin to be at the LHS wire, where it intersects the -plane:
Top View
I1 (out of page) d
I 2 (into page)
R12 = x 2 + y 2
d-y
y
R1
Then: ATOT ( r )
R22 = x 2 + ( d 2 y 2 )
R2
o
4
R2
o
I ln R z = 4
x 2 + ( d y )2
ATOT ( y = 0 ) diverges (x = 0)
ATOT ( r )
(for x = 0
i.e. observation
point on y -axis) y = 0
ATOT y = d
) = 0 for I
y = d/2
= I 2 = Iz
y=d
ATOT ( y = d ) diverges (x = 0)
AzTOT
(d y) y
=+
= o I
+ 2
2
R1
y
2 R2
BTOT
=+
y
AzTOT
= o
x
2
x
x
I 2 2
R2 R1
R12 = x 2 + y 2
R22 = x 2 + ( d 2 y 2 )
BzTOT = 0
11
Lecture Notes 16
At the point x = 0 and y = d/2 (i.e. at the center point, midway between the two conductors):
{where R1 = R2 = R = d/2}:
TOT
x
= o
2
d
d
2
2 = o
+
I
2
2
2
d
d
2
2
( ) ( )
o 4
1
2 o I
1
I =
I d + d =
2 d
2
2
BTOT
=0
y
BzTOT = 0
Top View:
2 I
BTOT x = 0, y = d , z = 0 = o x
2
d
For simplicitys sake, let us choose the observation / field point P ( r ) to lie in the x-z plane:
Observation / field
Point P ( r ) = P ( x, 0, z )
Magnetic Dipole
Loop has radius R
R = r
I = I
12
d = Rd
(d
Lecture Notes 16
= Rd )
r
4 C
4
d ( r )
I C
r
A ( r ) (here) is a function of x and y only (actually only ) and not z since Id = Id lies
in the x-y plane and I = I (here).
Since we evaluate A in the x-z plane, the only component of d that will contribute to A (there)
will be in the y direction (n.b. A is parallel to the closest current from the observation point P(r)).
We only want the component of d ( r ) along the y -axis, d
( r ) cos
(Note: If we wanted
to evaluate A e.g. in the y-z plane, then we would want only the component of d ( r ) along the
x -axis, d
( r ) sin )
2 ( Rd ) cos
= y in the x-z plane for r = ( x, 0, z ) .
Then: A ( r ) = A ( x, 0, z ) = o I
r
4 0
Now: r 2 = r 2 + R 2 2rR cos (from the Law of Cosines) and r = r r
1
And:
And:
R 2 2rR
2
1 R R
= 1 2 + 2 cos 1 + cos if R
r r
r
2 r r
r, r
and r r .
1 R xR cos
1 +
Thus:
for r >> R and r r = r r
2 r
r2
r
1 R 2 xR
I = 2
R cos 1 + 2 cos d y
Then: A ( r ) = A ( x, 0, z ) o
2 r
r
4 r =0
2
I R
A ( r ) = A ( x, 0, z ) o 3 xy for r >> R and r r = r r
Or:
4 r
r
13
Lecture Notes 16
r
x
y out of page
I R
A ( r ) = A ( x, 0, z ) o 2 sin y for r >> R and r r = r r
4 r
But in the x-z plane, = y , and since the direction of A ( r ) is always parallel to the current:
2
A(r )
2
o I R
r = r r {n.b. A ( r ) I }
m r m r
A ( r ) o 2 = o 3 for r >> R and r
4 r
4 r
r = r r
Now B ( r ) = A ( r ) in spherical coordinates for the magnetic dipole (with magnetic dipole
moment m = Ia = I R 2 z ) is:
2m
Br ( r ) = o 3 cos
4 r
m
B ( r ) = o 3 sin
4 r
r = r r
B ( r ) = 0
B ( r ) = Br ( r ) r + B ( r ) + B ( r )
Thus: B ( r ) = o
4
3 2 cos r + sin
r
r = r r and m = Ia = I R 2 z .
cf w/ the E -field associated with a physical electric dipole with dipole moment p = qd :
1
E (r ) =
4 o
14
p
3 2 cos r + sin for r >> d and r
r
r = r r and p = qd .
Lecture Notes 16
We already know what this B ( r ) looks like it it is solenoidal around the current loop:
Cross-Sectional View of a Magnetic Dipole Loop:
r
o
i r 3
+
i
B (r ) =
m
m
3
r
4
r
=0
e.g. mx
and: i
r
r
m r
3 for r >> R and r
r
r = r r
= r r
i r 3 = 0
r
3 ( mi r ) r
3 ( mir ) r m
r
m
r mx x
r
=
3 = 3 3mx x 5 mi 3 = 3
5
3
x r r
r
r
r
r
r
3
r
ri
3r
r
B (r ) = A(r ) = o
4
3
r
3r ir
r
3
r
m r o
3 =
4
r
3r
r
2
5
3
r
3
r
3 ( mir ) r m
3
r
=0
Magnetic Field
of a Magnetic
Dipole Loop
r = r r
The magnetic field of a distant circuit (r >> R) does not depend on its detailed geometry,
but only its magnetic dipole moment, m !!! Important (conceptual) result!!!
15
Lecture Notes 16
Compare this result for B ( r ) for the magnetic dipole loop, with magnetic dipole moment
m = Ia , with result for the electric dipole field E ( r ) associated with a physical electric dipole
moment p = qd :
B (r ) = o
4
3 ( mir ) r m
3
r
m = Ia , for r
r = r r
1 3 ( p ir ) r p
E (r ) =
p = qd , for r
3
r
4 o
r = r r
+q
When r R (or less) for magnetic dipole loop
Or
r d (or less) for electric dipole, then
will be able to see / observe / detect higherorder moments - e.g. quadrupole, octupole,
sextupole, etc. . .moments of the B E fields.
p = qd
( )
q
The statement that the magnetic field of a distant circuit (r >> R) does not depend on its detailed
geometry, but only its magnetic dipole moment, m = Ia (n.b. this is also true for the electrostatic
case, with p = qd ) are very useful!!!
If one can compute m = Ia then one can obtain A ( r ) and hence B ( r ) = A ( r )
(or if have p = qd then can obtain E ( r ) ) for r >> R (or d) and r
r = r r . EASY!!!
Then:
=Q
E ( r )indA
Thus: m
=0
B ( r )indA
enclosed
Tot
Magnetic flux is conserved magnetic field lines have no beginning / no end points
(because no magnetic charge(s)!)
The SI units of magnetic flux m are Tesla-m2 = Webers
16
Lecture Notes 16
Again: Do not confuse magnetic flux, m with the magnetic scalar potential m ( r )
(they even have the same units!!! Webers / Tesla-m2) WAA-HEE !!!
They are not the same thing!!!
A ( r ) = A ( r ) + m ( r )
B ( r ) = A ( r ) = A ( r ) + m ( r )
m = B ( r )indA
S
Magnetic Flux
Dont confuse
these either!!!
m ( r ) =
A ( r ) = 2 m ( r ) = m ( r )
1
4
i A ( r )
gives i A ( r ) = 0
= A ( r ) indS
=
m = B ( r )indS
S
A ( r )i d
A ( r )i d
C
m ( r )id = m
17
Lecture Notes 16
A spherical shell of radius R carries a uniform surface charge density and rotates with
constant angular velocity , Determine the magnetic vector potential it produces at point r .
A rotating surface charge density produces a surface/sheet current density K ( r ) = v ( r )
The magnetic vector potential is thus: A ( r ) =
o
4
K ( r)
da
For ease of integration, choose the observation/field point P ( r ) = P ( zz ) (i.e. r = zz ) along the
+ z -axis and to lie in the x-z plane. Choose the origin to be at the center of the sphere, as
shown in the figure below:
v ( r ) = r
= sin x + cos z (here)
r = R sin cos x + R sin sin y + R cos z
and:
v ( r ) = r
x
v ( r ) =
sin
cos
0
R sin cos R sin sin R cos
v ( r ) = R ( cos sin sin ) x + ( cos sin cos sin cos ) y + ( sin sin sin ) z
Now since
sin d = cos d = 0
0
Then terms involving only sin or cos in the integral for A ( r ) contribute nothing.
18
Lecture Notes 16
( r )
da
r
r
with K ( r ) = ( r ) and da = R 2 sin d d and r = R 2 + r 2 2 Rr cos
A(r ) =
o
4
Then: A ( r ) =
Let:
K ( r )
da =
o
4
o R 3 sin
u cos
du = sin d
d y
R + r 2 Rr cos
cos sin
cos sin
R 2 + r 2 2 Rr cos
(R
=
= 0 u = +1
= u = 1
+ r 2 + Rru )
3R 2 r 2
d =
+1
udu
R 2 + r 2 2 Rru
u =+1
R 2 + r 2 2 Rru
u =1
1
R 2 + r 2 + Rr ) R r ( R 2 + r 2 Rr ) ( R + r )
2 2 (
3R r
2r
If r < R (i.e. inside sphere) then this integral = 2
3R
2R
If r > R (i.e. outside sphere) then this integral = 2
3r
=
Now: r = r sin y
Then: A ( r ) =
o R
o R
3
o R 4 sin
( r > R , outside sphere)
A ( r , , ) =
3
r2
A(r )
Amax ( r = R )
~r
= o R 2 sin
1
3
~ 1 r2
r=R
Then: B ( r ) = A ( r ) =
= z
2o R
2
2
cos r sin = o R z = o R !!! ( = z )
3
3
3
19
Lecture Notes 16
Determine the magnetic vector potential A ( r ) of an infinitely long solenoid with n turns / unit
length, radius R and steady current I
n.b. The current extends to infinity, so we cannot use A ( r ) =
o
4
d because it diverges!
= A ( r = R )i d
But: inside
m
C
where d = Rd
= A ( r = R ) 2 R
inside
m
Then: A ( r = R ) =
inside
nI R 2
1
m
= o nIR
= o
2
2 R
2 R
Aoutside ( r > R ) =
Ainside
R2
1
o nI
2
r
1
( r < R ) = o nIr
2
A(r )
Amax ( r = R )
= 12 o nIR
~r
~1 r
r=R
20
Lecture Notes 16
Does B ( r ) = A ( r ) ?
B (r ) = A(r ) =
1
( rA ( r ) ) z in cylindrical coordinates
r r
=0
2
1
1
1
1 R
Boutside ( r > R ) = o nI r
R 2 ) z 0
(
z = o nI
2
r r
2
r r r
1
1
1
1
Binside ( r < R ) = o nI ( r 2 ) z = o nI ( 2r ) z = o nIz
2
2
r r
r
A ( r ) = A ( r )
In Cylindrical Coordinates:
1 A ( r )
i A ( r ) =
= 0 because A ( r ) has NO explicit -dependence!
r
Aoutside ( r > R ) =
Ainside ( r < R ) =
R2
1
o nI
2
r
1
o nIr
2
whenever there is a surface charge density (free or bound) present on a surface / interface:
E2 above E1 below =
above
2
surface
V1below
n
surface
21
Lecture Notes 16
Now imagine that this current sheet K = Kx = K ( x ) is placed in an external magnetic field,
e.g. created / emanating from some other current-carrying circuit below this current sheet.
Call this external magnetic field that is below the original current sheet B1below
.
ext
What we discover is that the magnetic field above the current sheet B2above
is not parallel to B1below
ext
ext
- it has been refracted by the current sheet (in the tangential direction - with respect to the
surface)!
The physical origin for this is simple to understand. Below the current sheet, the current sheet
1
below
below
itself adds to the tangential component of Bext
a component Bsheet
= o Ky (for K = Kx ),
2
above
however, above the current sheet, the current sheet adds to the tangential component of Bext
a
1
above
component Bsheet
= + o Ky (for K = Kx ).
2
z
So if: Bext = Bextx x + Bext y y + Bext
z
below
below
below
below
= Bextx x + Bext y y + Bext
z
Then: Bext
z
And:
22
above
above
above
above
Bext
= Bextx x + Bext y y + Bext
z
z
= parallel to surface
= perpendicular to surface
Lecture Notes 16
1
below
below
below
below
below
y + Bext
= Bextbelow
+
x
B
K
z = BTOT
x + BTOT
y + BTOT
z
ext y
o
x
z
x
y
z
2
below
below
BTOT
above 1
above
above
above
above
y + Bext
= Bextabove
+
+
x
B
K
z = BTOT
x + BTOT
y + BTOT
z
ext
o
x
y
z
x
y
z
2
above
above
BTOT
above
below
Thus, (comparing BTOT
vs. BTOT
component-by-component), we see that:
1)
2)
below
above
BTOT
= BTOT
x
x
Bextbelow
= Bextabove
x
x
BTOTy BTOTy
below
above
above
below
BTOTy BTOTy = o K to sheet current K = Kx is discontinuous by an amount
below
above
BTOT
= BTOT
z
z
below
above
Bext
= Bext
z
z
23
Lecture Notes 16
As we found in electrostatics, that the scalar electric potential V ( r ) was continuous across
any boundary Vabove ( r ) = Vbelow ( r ) , likewise, the magnetic vector potential A ( r ) is also
continuous across any boundary, i.e. Aabove ( r ) = Abelow ( r ) provided that: i A ( r ) = 0 , which
A ( r )i d
C
B ( r )ida =
S
below
concerned with here is in the y -direction. But from: BTOT = ATOT , then: BTOTy = ATOT
thus we need to worry only about the y -component of the curl of ATOT ( r ) , which is:
BTOTy = ATOT
ATOTx ATOTz
=
z
x
Then, noting that the z -direction is perpendicular (i.e. normal) to the plane of the current sheet:
above
below
above
below
ATOT
ATOT
ATOT
ATOT
above
below
x
x
z
z
BTOTy BTOTy = o K =
z
x
x
surface
surface
above
below
above
below
ATOT
ATOT
ATOTx
ATOT
x
z
z
x
z
z
x
surface
above
below
ATOT
ATOTx
x
surface
surface
=0
ATOT
suffers no discontinuity
z
nor ATOTy suffer discontinuities in their slopes at the current sheet only
Neither ATOT
z
above
ATOT
does - in the normal (i.e. z ) direction. Therefore, we can most generally write this
x
= o K
n
n
surface
surface
24
Lecture Notes 16
The Magnetic Vector Potential A ( r ) Associated with a Finite Circular Disk Sheet Current
We wish to delve a bit deeper into the nature of the magnetic vector potential, A ( r ) and also
B ( r ) = A ( r ) associated with current sheets. Consider a sheet current K = K o x flowing on the
surface of a finite circular disk of radius R, lying in the x-y plane as shown in the figure below:
z
+z
r
x , K = K o x
To keep it simple, well just calculate A ( r ) at an arbitrary point along the z -axis above and
below the x-y plane. The magnetic vector potential A ( r ) associated with a sheet current is:
A(r ) =
o
4
K ( r )
K x da
da = o o
S
4 S r
r
We deliberately chose a sheet current flowing on a finite circular disk of radius R so that we
could easily carry out the integration. The area element da on the circular disk (in cylindrical
coordinates) is da = d ( d ) = d d , and from the figure above, we see that: r = 2 + z 2 .
A( z ) =
Thus:
=
=R
o K o x = R = 2 d d 2 o K o x = R d
1
= o K o x 2 + z 2
=
2
2
2
2
=
0
=
0
=
0
=0
2
4
4
+z
+z
1
1
o K o x R 2 + z 2 z 2 = o K o R 2 + z 2 z 2 x
Now there is a subtlety here that we need to notice before proceeding further since we are
interested in knowing A ( z ) at an arbitrary point along the z -axis - above and/or below the x-y
plane, thus z can be either positive or negative. Note that both the
always 0 for both positive and/or negative z (in particular: z 2 = z z !). Thus, in order to
preserve this fact, we explicitly keep expression for the magnetic vector potential A ( z ) as:
A( z ) =
1
o K o
2
R 2 + z 2 z 2 x
25
Lecture Notes 16
A plot of the magnetic vector potential A ( z ) vs. z is shown in the figure below for a circular
disk of radius R = 10 m and sheet current K = K o x = 1.0 x Amperes/meter.
Note that A ( z ) is a maximum when z = 0, right on the sheet current. Note also the discontinuity
in the slope(s) of A ( z ) on either side of z = 0, which arises due to the presence of the sheet
current in the x-y plane, since:
Aabove ( r )
n
surface
Abelow ( r )
= o K
n
surface
Aabove ( z 0 )
Abelow ( z 0 )
= o K
z
z
z =0
z =0
or:
Care/thought must also be taken when carrying out the normal derivatives (slopes) above and
below the x-y plane look carefully at the slopes for z > 0 and z < 0 in the above figure, and
compare this information to what we calculate:
A
above
( z 0) = 1
Ko
z
z
R 2 + z 2 z 2 x = 12 o K o
2
2
z2
R +z
( z 0) = 1
Ko
z
z
z
1
R 2 + z 2 z 2 x = 12 o K o
+ 1 x
x = 2 o K o
2
2
2
2
2
z
R +z
R +z
z
A
below
26
z
1
1 x
x = 2 o K o
2
2
R +z
Lecture Notes 16
= 12 o K o x 12 o K o x = o K o x = o K
z
z
z =0
z =0
The magnetic field B ( z ) at an arbitrary point along the along the z -axis either above and/or
below the x-y plane is calculated using B ( z ) = A ( z ) in Cartesian coordinates. Since
A ( z ) = Ax ( z ) x (only), then: B ( z ) = A ( z ) = Ax ( z ) x =
Ax ( z )
y
z
Thus:
Axabove ( z 0 )
z
1 y
B
y = 12 o K o
( z 0 ) = A ( z 0 ) = A ( z 0 ) x =
2
2
z
R +z
below
A
( z 0 ) y = 1 K z + 1 y
B below ( z 0 ) = Abelow ( z 0 ) = Axbelow ( z 0 ) x = x
2 o o
2
2
z
R +z
above
above
above
x
The figure below shows the magnetic field B ( z ) vs. z along the z -axis with a sheet current
K = K o x flowing on the surface of the finite disk of radius R, lying in the x-y plane:
27
Lecture Notes 16
We now investigate what happens in the limit that the radius of the sheet current-carrying
circular disc, R , i.e. it becomes an infinite planar sheet current. We discover that the
magnetic vector potential A ( r ) associated with the sheet current K = K o x becomes infinite
(i.e. A ( r ) diverges):
lim A ( z ) =
R
1
o K o
2
R 2 + z 2 z 2 x
1
o K o
2
2 + z 2 z 2 x
whereas the boundary condition on the discontinuity in the normal derivative of A ( r ) across the
sheet current lying in the x-y plane at z = 0 still exists, and is well-behaved (i.e. finite):
Aabove ( z 0 )
Abelow ( z 0 )
= 12 o K o x 12 o K o x = o K o x = o K
z
z
z =0
z =0
We also discover that the magnetic field B ( r ) is also well-behaved (i.e. finite) and constant
independent of the height/depth z above/below the x-y plane (!!):
z
1 y = 12 o K o y
lim B above ( z 0 ) = 12 o K o
2
2
R
+z
z
+ 1 y = + 12 o K o y
lim B below ( z 0 ) = 12 o K o
2
2
R
+z
28