Humberto Gilmer PHYS7701 Tutorial 11

Electro/magnetostatic Multipoles
Scalar multipole moments
~ satisfies the vector Poisson equation
In the appropriate gauge, the vector potential A
∇2 A
~ = −µ0 J~

At first glance, this looks a lot like the Poisson equation the scalar potential satisfies:
ρ
∇2 Φ = −
0
In many ways, that’s true; but the vector-like nature of A~ adds some wrinkles, especially in non-Cartesian coordinates. The
Laplacian in spherical coordinates, when acting on a scalar function, is defined as
∂2Φ
     
1 ∂ ∂Φ 1 ∂ ∂Φ 1 1 ∂ 2 ∂Φ 1
∇2 Φ = ∇ · (∇Φ) = 2 r2 + 2 sin θ + 2 2 = r + 2 L2 Φ
r ∂r ∂r r sin θ ∂θ ∂θ r sin θ ∂φ2 r2 ∂r ∂r r
where L2 is the angular momentum operator from quantum mechanics. Recall that the spherical harmonics form eigenfunc-
tions of the angular momentum operator, with the action
L2 Y`m (θ, φ) = −`(` + 1)Y`m (θ, φ)
Since every object in the Poisson equation is a scalar, both sides of the equation may be expanded using spherical harmonics:
∞ X
X ` ∞ X
X `
Φ(~r) = φ`m (r)Y`m (θ, φ) and ρ(~r) = ρ`m (r)Y`m (θ, φ)
`=0 m=−` `=0 m=−`

We can do this because the spherical harmonics form a complete set of basis functions. As with the Fourier series, plugging
both expansions into the Laplace equation gives
ρ
∇2 Φ = −
0
∞ X `     ∞ `
X 1 ∂ 2 ∂φ`m (r) m φ`m (r) 2 m 1 X X
2 ∂r r Y` (θ, φ) + 2 L Y` (θ, φ) = − ρ`m (r)Y`m (θ, φ)
r ∂r r 0 `=0 m=−`
`=0 m=−`
∞ ∞
`
" # `
X X d2 φ`m 2 dφ`m `(` + 1) m 1 X X
2 + r dr − 2 φ`m (r) Y` (θ, φ) = − ρ`m (r)Y`m (θ, φ)
dr r 0
`=0 m=−` `=0 m=−`

Matching the coefficients of the spherical harmonics yields an ODE for the components of the potential expansion φ`m :
d2 φ`m 2 dφ`m `(` + 1) ρ
2 + − 2 φ`m (r) = − `m
dr r dr r 0
The solution to this ODE is Z ∞ `
1 4π r<
φ`m (r) = ρ (r0 )r02 dr0
`+1 `m
0 (2` + 1)
r> 0
Now suppose that we observe the potential at a distance far away from the charge distribution generating it. In other words
r  r0 . If we expand the integrals appropriately
"Z #
r0`
r Z ∞ `
1 4π 0 02 0 r 0 02 0
φ`m (r) = ρ (r )r dr + ρ`m (r )r dr
0 (2` + 1) 0 r`+1 `m r r0`+1
and employ the fact that ρ(r0 ) is localized, the second integral vanishes, and the first may have the integration bound extended
out to infinity, without cost: Z ∞
1 4π
φ`m (r) = r0` ρ`m (r0 )r02 dr0
4π0 (2` + 1)r`+1 0
This is the usual multipole expansion for the electrostatic potential.

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Humberto Gilmer PHYS7701 Tutorial 11

Vector spherical harmonics

Does such an expansion exist for the vector potential? What about the electric and magnetic fields themselves? Yes, but it’s
complicated by the fact that the decomposition of a vector in spherical coordinates is position dependent. Furthermore, the
vector Laplacian is defined differently than the scalar Laplacian. Let’s begin by taking the gradient of a scalar function that
has been decomposed using the spherical harmonics:
∞ X
X `
∇Φ = ∇ (φ`m (r)Y`m (θ, φ))
`=0 m=−`
∞ X
X `
= [(∇φ`m (r)) Y`m (θ, φ) + φ`m (r)∇Y`m (θ, φ)]
`=0 m=−`
∞ X
`  
X dφ`m (r) m φ`m (r) m
= r̂Y` (θ, φ) + (r∇Y` (θ, φ))
dr r
`=0 m=−`
∞ X
`  
X dφ`m (r) m φ`m (r) m
= Y` (θ, φ) + Ψ` (θ, φ)
dr r
`=0 m=−`

where I’ve defined the vector spherical harmonics as

Y`m (θ, φ) = r̂Y`m (θ, φ) and Ψm m

` (θ, φ) = r∇Y` (θ, φ)

Note that the Y VSH is radial (since it contains a factor of r̂); this would lead us to suspect that Ψ is tangential (meaning
it will contain factors of θ̂ and φ̂). We can check this by seeing if Y and Ψ are orthogonal:
dY`m (θ, φ)
Y`m (θ, φ) · Ψm m m m
` (θ, φ) = rY` (θ, φ)r̂ · ∇Y` (θ, φ) = rY` (θ, φ) =0
dr
Thus Y and Ψ are indeed orthogonal and our suspicion is confirmed: a gradient vector field, such as the electric field, may
be decomposed into a radial piece and an angular piece
∞ X
X `
~ = Er r̂ + E
E ~ ang. = Er`m (r)Y`m (θ, φ) + Es`m (r)Ψm
` (θ, φ)
`=0 m=−`

~ = −∇Φ, which has the property that it is curl-less:

Now, of course, we’re missing a piece, due to the fact that E
~ = ∇ × (∇Φ) = 0
∇×E

Thus, a general vector field may have another component, one that must be orthogonal to both Y and Ψ; the easiest choice
is to define another VSH Φ as
Φm m
r × ∇Y`m (θ, φ)
` (θ, φ) = r̂ × Ψ` = ~

This can be reversed using the BAC-CAB rule:

r̂ × Φm m m m m
` = r̂ × (r̂ × Ψ` ) = r̂ (r̂ · Ψ` ) − Ψ` (r̂ · r̂) = −Ψ`

Therefore Ψm m m m m
` = Φ` × r̂. Thus Y` , Ψ` , Φ` are all mutually orthogonal at any given point. As with the scalar spherical
harmonics, they are also orthonormal to themselves:
0 ∗
Z 
Y`m · Y`m0 dΩ = δ``0 δmm0
0 ∗
Z  
Ψm m
` · Ψ `0 dΩ = `(` + 1)δ``0 δmm0
0 ∗
Z 
Φm m
` · Φ`0 dΩ = `(` + 1)δ``0 δmm0

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Humberto Gilmer PHYS7701 Tutorial 11

and orthogonal to each other in Hilbert space:

0 ∗
Z 
Y`m · Ψm
`
0 dΩ = 0
0 ∗
Z 
Ψm m
` · Φ`0 dΩ = 0
0 ∗
Z 
Ψm
` · Φm
`
0 dΩ = 0

Therefore, a general vector field has the decomposition

∞ X
X ` h i
~ =
E Er`m (r)Y`m (θ, φ) + Es`m (r)Ψm `m
` (θ, φ) + Et (r)Φ`m (θ, φ)
`=0 m=−`

As with the scalar spherical harmonics, the components Er , Es and Et are found by ‘projecting’ the vector field onto each
of the VSH:
Z
∗
`m
Er (r) = (Y`m (θ, φ)) r̂ · EdΩ
~
Z
r ∗ ~
Es`m (r) = (∇Y`m (θ, φ)) · EdΩ
`(` + 1)
Z Z
r ∗ ~ r ∗
 
Et`m (r) = (r̂ × ∇Y`m (θ, φ)) · EdΩ = (∇Y`m (θ, φ)) · r̂ × E
~ dΩ
`(` + 1) `(` + 1)

There exists another relation between the scalar and vector spherical harmonics. Recall that the quantum mechanical angular
momentum operator may be expressed in the position basis as L ~ = 1 r̂ × ∇. Therefore, our previous VSH Φm
` may be written
i
m ~ m m
(up to an overall factor of i) as Φ` = LY` . Now, we may think of Y` in a similar manner. Recall that the position unit
vector may be written in a spherical tensor basis
r r r
x̂ + iŷ 4π 1 4π 0 x̂ − iŷ 4π −1
ê+ = − √ = rY ê0 = êz = Y ê− = √ = rY
2 3 1 3 1 2 3 1

which has the nice property that each basis vector is an eigenstate of angular momentum. However, Y`m is already an
eigenstate of angular momentum, so what we’re doing when defining Y`m = r̂Y`m is multiplying two angular momentum
states. This requires use of the Clebsch-Gordan coefficients. In braket notation, this takes the form
X X ` 1 j  α
|j, m, `, 1i = |`, α; 1, βi h`, α; 1, β | j, m, `, 1i = ⇒ Yj`m = Y` (θ, φ)êβ
α β m
α,β α,β

For a given value of j, angular momentum addition means ` = j + 1, j, j − 1. Therefore the above expression can be inverted
and, using tables of 3j-symbols, we find
r r
m m `+1 `
Y` = r̂Y` = − Y + Y
2` + 1 `,`+1,m 2` + 1 `,`−1,m

Similarly, setting j = ` yields Y``m = Φm m m

` , and as before, r̂ × Φ` = Ψ` .

Applications of the vector spherical harmonics

Now, when speaking of the magnetic multipoles, we’re interested in the vector Laplacian of the vector potential, which is
defined as  
∇2 A~ = ∇ ∇·A ~ −∇×∇×A ~

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Humberto Gilmer PHYS7701 Tutorial 11

meaning we need to find the action of the divergence and curl on a vector field decomposed in terms of the VSH. First, let’s
consider the divergence:

∇ · (f (r)Y`m (θ, φ)) = ∇f (r) · Y`m (θ, φ) + f (r)∇ · Y`m (θ, φ)

df m
= Y (θ, φ) + f (r) [(∇ · r̂) Y`m (θ, φ) + r̂ · ∇Y`m (θ, φ)]
dr ` " #
df m 2 m m  :0
= Y (θ, φ) + f (r) Y` (θ, φ) +  ∇rY
` (θ, φ)
dr ` r
 
df 2
= + f (r) Y`m (θ, φ)
dr r

∇ · (f (r)Ψm m m
` (θ, φ)) = ∇f (r) · Ψ` (θ, φ) + f (r)∇ · Ψ` (θ, φ)
df
= r̂ · (r∇Y`m (θ, φ)) + f (r)∇ · (r∇Y`m (θ, φ))
dr
df m  :0 h
m 2 m
i
= r∇r Y (θ, φ) + f (r) ∇r · ∇Y (θ, φ) + r∇ Y (θ, φ)
dr " ` ` `

: 0 `(` + 1) m
#

= f (r)  r̂ ·
∇Y`m 
(θ, φ) − Y` (θ, φ)
r
`(` + 1)
=− f (r)Y`m (θ, φ)
r

∇ · (f (r)Φm m m
` (θ, φ)) = ∇f (r) · Φ` (θ, φ) + f (r)∇ · Φ` (θ, φ)
df
= r̂ · (~r × ∇Y`m (θ, φ)) + f (r)∇ · (~r × ∇Y`m (θ, φ))
dr
df
= ∇Y`m (θ, φ) · (r̂ × ~r) + f (r) [(∇ × ~r) · ∇Y`m (θ, φ) − ~r · (∇ × ∇Y`m (θ, φ))]
dr
=0

Now consider the curl:

∇ × (f (r)Y`m (θ, φ)) = ∇f (r) × Y`m (θ, φ) + f (r)∇ × Y`m (θ, φ)

df  0
=  r̂Y`m (θ, φ) + f (r)∇ × (r̂Y`m (θ, φ))
r̂ × :
dr  
:0
= f (r)  (∇×r̂)Y`m (θ, φ) − r̂ × (∇Y`m (θ, φ))


f (r)
=− [~r × (∇Y`m (θ, φ))]
r
f (r) m
=− Φ` (θ, φ)
r

∇ × (f (r)Ψm m m
` (θ, φ)) = ∇f (r) × Ψ` (θ, φ) + f (r)∇ × Ψ` (θ, φ)
df
= r̂ × (r∇Y`m (θ, φ)) + f (r)∇ × (r∇Y`m (θ, φ))
dr
df
= [~r × (∇Y`m (θ, φ))] + f (r) [(∇r) × (∇Y`m (θ, φ)) + r∇ × (∇Y`m (θ, φ))]
dr
df
= [~r × (∇Y`m (θ, φ))] + f (r) [r̂ × (∇Y`m (θ, φ))]
dr
 
df f (r)
= + Φm
` (θ, φ)
dr r

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Humberto Gilmer PHYS7701 Tutorial 11

∇ × (f (r)Φm m
` (θ, φ)) = ∇f (r) × Φ` (θ, φ) + f (r)∇ × Φ` (θ, φ)
m

df
= r̂ × [~r × (∇Y`m (θ, φ))] + f (r)∇ × [~r × (∇Y`m (θ, φ))]
dr
df
= [−~r × ((∇Y`m (θ, φ)) × r̂) − ∇Y`m (θ, φ) × (r̂ × ~r)] + f (r) [(∇ × ~r) × (∇Y`m (θ, φ)) + ~r × ∇ × (∇Y`m (θ, φ))]
dr
df h   i
=− [(∇Y`m (θ, φ)) (~r · r̂) − r̂ (~r · (∇Y`m (θ, φ)))] + f (r) ~r ∇2 Y`m (θ, φ) − (∇Y`m (θ, φ)) (∇ · ~r)
dr   
df  1
=− [r (∇Y`m (θ, φ)) − r̂ (r∇r Y`m (θ, φ))] + f (r) ~r ∇2 Y`m (θ, φ) − (r∇Y`m (θ, φ))
dr r
 
df `(` + 1) m 1
=− (r∇Y`m (θ, φ)) + f (r) −~r Y` (θ, φ) − (r∇Y`m (θ, φ))
dr r2 r
 
df `(` + 1) 1
=− (r∇Y`m (θ, φ)) + f (r) − (r̂Y`m (θ, φ)) − (r∇Y`m (θ, φ))
dr r r
 
`(` + 1) df f (r)
=− f (r)Y`m (θ, φ) − + Ψm ` (θ, φ)
r dr r

Putting these results together, the divergence of a vector field is

∞ X
X ` h      i
∇·A
~= ∇ · A`m m `m m `m m
r (r)Y` (θ, φ) + ∇ · As (r)Ψ` (θ, φ) + ∇ · At (r)Φ` (θ, φ)
`=0 m=−`
∞ X
`
" ! #
X dA`m 2 `(` + 1) `m
= r
+ A`m − As Y`m (θ, φ)
dr r r r
`=0 m=−`

Note that the divergence depends only on Ar and As ; keep this in mind. It will play a role later when we discuss gauge
fixing. Similarly computing the curl of a vector field
∞ X
X ` h      i
~=
∇×A ∇ × A`m m `m m `m m
r (r)Y` (θ, φ) + ∇ × As (r)Ψ` (θ, φ) + ∇ × At (r)Φ` (θ, φ)
`=0 m=−`
∞ X
`
" ! ! #
X A`m dA`m A`m `(` + 1) `m m dA`m A`m
= − r Φm
` (θ, φ) +
s
+ s Φm
` (θ, φ) − At Y` (θ, φ) − t
+ t Ψm
` (θ, φ)
r dr r r dr r
`=0 m=−`
∞ X
`
" ! #
X `(` + 1) `m m 1 d  `m  m 1 d  `m  A`m
= − At Y` (θ, φ) − rAt Ψ` (θ, φ) + rAs − r Φm
` (θ, φ)
r r dr r dr r
`=0 m=−`

We can thus use these to compute the vector Laplacian of the vector potential. Recall that the gradient of a scalar function
(which is what the divergence produces) creates a vector field consisting of the Y and Ψ VSH and their coefficients. Fur-
thermore, the divergence of the vector potential depends only on Ar and As . It is possible, by fixing the gauge, to set Ar
and As equal to 0, which is equivalent to choosing the Coulomb gauge. Doing so gives
∞ X
`  
~ =∇×A
~=
X `(` + 1) `m m 1 d  `m  m
B − At Y` (θ, φ) − rAt Ψ` (θ, φ)
r r dr
`=0 m=−`

In this gauge, the vector Laplacian is simply

∇2 A
~ = −∇ × ∇ × A
~ = −∇ × B
~

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~ field gives
Computing the curl of the B
∞ X
`     
~=
X `(` + 1) `m m 1 d  `m  m
∇×∇×A −∇ × At Y` (θ, φ) − ∇ × rAt Ψ` (θ, φ)
r r dr
`=0 m=−`
∞ X `     
X `(` + 1) `m m 1 d 1 d  `m  m
= − At Φ` (θ, φ) − r rAt Φ` (θ, φ)
`=0 m=−`
r2 r dr r dr
∞ X `
" !#
X `(` + 1) `m 1 d `m dA`m
= 2 At − At + r t
Φm` (θ, φ)
r r dr dr
`=0 m=−`
∞ X `
" !#
X `(` + 1) `m 1 dA`m dA`m d2 A`m
= 2 At − t
+ t
+r t
2 Φm
` (θ, φ)
r r dr dr dr
`=0 m=−`
∞ X `
" #
X `(` + 1) `m 2 dA`m d2 A`m
= At − t
− t
Φm
` (θ, φ)
`=0 m=−`
r2 r dr dr2

Since the current density J~ is a vector field, it also has a VSH decomposition:
∞ X
X ` h i
~ r) =
J(~ Jr`m (r)Y`m (θ, φ) + Js`m (r)Ψm `m m
` (θ, φ) + Jt (r)Φ` (θ, φ)
`=0 m=−`

We’re considering only magnetostatics, then charge conservation gives ∇ · J~ = 0. A divergenceless vector field has no radial
or solenoidal component, as we found above. In other words, Jr = Js = 0. Therefore
∞ X
X `
~ r) =
J(~ Jt`m (r)Φm
` (θ, φ)
`=0 m=−`

The Jt can be found by projecting on both sides using the Φm

` VSH:

∞ X
X `
~ r) =
J(~ Jt`m (r)Φm
` (θ, φ)
`=0 m=−`
Z  ∗ ∞ X
` Z  ∗
0 X 0
Φm
`
0 (θ, φ) · ~ r)dΩ =
J(~ J `m
t (r) Φm
`
0 m(θ, φ) · Φm
` (θ, φ)dΩ
`=0 m=−`
Z  ∗ ∞ X
`
0 X
Φm
` (θ, φ)
0 · J(~
~ r)dΩ = Jt`m (r)`(` + 1)δ``0 δmm0
`=0 m=−`
Z  0 ∗ 0 0
Φm ~ r)dΩ = Jt` m (r)`0 (`0 + 1)
· J(~
` (θ, φ)
0

Z
1 ∗ ~
⇒ Jt`m (r) = (Φm` (θ, φ)) · J(~
r)dΩ
`(` + 1)
Combining these two expansions into the vector Poisson equation gives

∇2 A
~ = −µ0 J~

−∇ × ∇ × A ~ = −µ0 J~
∞ X ∞ X
`
" # `
X `(` + 1) 2 dA`m d2 A`m X
A`m
t −
t
− t
Φ m
` (θ, φ) = µ0 Jt`m (r)Φm
` (θ, φ)
`=0 m=−`
r2 r dr dr2 `=0 m=−`

`(` + 1) 2 dA`m d2 A`m

A`m
t −
t
− t
= µ0 Jt`m
r2 r dr dr2

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and matching the coefficients of the VSH yields an ODE for the A`m
t :

d2 A`m 2 dA`m `(` + 1) `m

t
+ t
− At = −µ0 Jt`m
dr2 r dr r2
This ODE is identical that for the electrostatic multipole moments φ`m , the solution of which is simply
!
Z ∞ `
µ0 1 r<
`m
At (r) = `+1
Jt`m (r0 )r02 dr0
4π 2` + 1 0 r>

Now suppose that we observe the potential at a distance far away from the charge distribution generating it. In other words
r  r0 . If we expand the integrals appropriately
"Z #
r0` `m 0 02 0
r Z ∞ `
`m µ0 1 r `m 0 02 0
At (r) = J (r )r dr + Jt (r )r dr
4π (2` + 1) 0 r`+1 t r r0`+1

and employ the fact that J(r~ 0 ) is localized, the second integral vanishes, and the first may have the integration bound
extended out to infinity, without cost:
Z ∞
µ0 1 1
`m
At (r) = r0` Jt`m (r0 )r02 dr0
4π (2` + 1) r`+1 0

Thus the vector potential is given by

∞ X
`
X A`m
~ r) =
A(~ t
`+1
Φm
` (θ, φ)
`=0 m=−` r

where Z ∞
µ0 1 1
A`m
t (r) = `+1
r0` Jt`m (r0 )r02 dr0
4π (2` + 1) r 0

and Z
1 ∗
Jt`m (r) = (Φm
` (θ, φ)) · J(~
~ r)dΩ
`(` + 1)
Thus, we can summarize our results.

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First, a general vector field can be decomposed into radial, solenoidal and toroidal components as
∞ X
X ` h i
~ =
E Er`m (r)Y`m (θ, φ) + Es`m (r)Ψm `m
` (θ, φ) + Et (r)Φ`m (θ, φ)
`=0 m=−`

with the components Er , Es and Et found by ‘projecting’ the vector field onto each of the VSH:
Z
∗
Er`m (r) = (Y`m (θ, φ)) r̂ · EdΩ
~
Z
r ∗ ~
Es`m (r) = (∇Y`m (θ, φ)) · EdΩ
`(` + 1)
Z Z
`m r ∗ ~ ∗
 
Et (r) = (r̂ × ∇Y` (θ, φ)) · EdΩ = r (∇Y`m (θ, φ)) · r̂ × E
m ~ dΩ
`(` + 1)

Fixing certain properties of the vector field is equivalent to zeroing-out certain components. For example, a diver-
genceless vector field will have only a toroidal component:
∞ X
X `
∇·E
~ =0 ⇒ ~ =
E Et`m (r)Φ`m (θ, φ)
`=0 m=−`

and a curl-less vector field will only have a radial and a solenoidal component
∞ X
X ` h i
~ =0
∇×E ⇒ ~ =
E Er`m (r)Y`m (θ, φ) + Es`m (r)Ψm
` (θ, φ)
`=0 m=−`

This provides a thorough explanation of the formalism for electrostatic and magnetostatic multipole decomposition. Of
course, more general Maxwell fields admit propagating, wave-like solutions. The vector spherical harmonics play a key role
here as well.

Spherical wave fields

Scalar waves
Here we’ll establish some of the mathematical relations we’ll use in the rest of this section. Suppose we have a scalar field
ψ(~r, t) satisfying the homogeneous wave equation

1 ∂2ψ
− ∇2 ψ = 0
c2 ∂t2
Now let ψ exhibit monochromatic harmonic time-dependence, so ψ(~r, t) = ψ(~r, ω) exp[iωt]. This gives

1 ∂2
0= (ψ(~r, ω) exp[iωt]) − ∇2 (ψ(~r, ω) exp[iωt])
c2 ∂t2
ω2
0 = − 2 ψ(~r, ω) exp[iωt] + ∇2 ψ(~r, ω) exp[iωt]
 c 
⇒ 0 = ∇2 + k 2 ψ(~r, ω)
2
where k 2 = ω
2 , which is the homogeneous Helmholtz equation. Separation of variables yields a solution of the form
c
X
ψ(~r, ω) = f`m (r)Y`m (θ, φ)
`,m

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with the radial equation satisfying an ODE:

" #
d2 2 d 2 `(` + 1)
+ +k − f`m (r) = 0
dr2 r dr r2

u(r)
If we let f (r) = 1 , then the ODE becomes
r2
"
2 #
d2 1 d 2 ` + 21
+ + k − u`m (r) = 0
dr2 r dr r2

This is the Bessel ODE with ν = ` + 12 , with solutions

A`m B`m
f`m (r) = 1 J`+ 12 (kr) + 1 N`+ 12 (kr)
r 2 r2
where J and N are the Bessel functions of the first and second kind, respectively. It is customary to define the spherical
Bessel functions  π  12  π  12
j` (x) = J`+ 12 (x) n` (x) = N`+ 12 (x)
2x 2x
The spherical Bessel functions can be thought of as standing spherical waves. These can be combined to form propagating
Bessel functions, the spherical Hankel functions
 π  21 h i
(1),(2)
h` (x) = J`+ 12 (x) ± iN`+ 21 (x)
2x

The spherical Bessel functions have derivative relations

 `    ` 
` 1 d sin x ` 1 d cos x 
j` (x) = (−x) n` (x) = −(−x)
x dx x x dx x

with small argument (x  1) asymptotic form

! !
x` x2 (2` − 1)!! x2
j` → 1− + ... n` (x) → − 1− + ...
(2` + 1)!! 2(2` + 3) x`+1 2(1 − 2`)

and with large argument (x  1) asymptotic form

   
1 `π 1 `π
j` (x) → sin x − n` (x) → − cos x −
x 2 x 2

exp[ix]  ∗
(1) (2) (1)
h` (x) → (−i)`+1 h` (x) = h` (x)
x
and recursion relations
2` + 1
z` (x) = z`−1 (x) + z`+1 (x)
x
d 1
z (x) = [`z (x) − (` + 1)z`+1 (x)]
dx ` 2` + 1 `−1
d
[xz (x)] = xz`−1 (x) − `z` (x)
dx `
where z is any spherical radial solution.

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Using these radial solutions, the general solution for the scalar field is
X h (1) (1) (2) (2)
i
ψ(~r, ω) = A`m h` (kr) + A`m h` (kr) Y`m (θ, φ)
`,m

The Green function for the Helmholtz equation is equal to

 
exp[ikk~r − ~r0 k]
∇2 + k 2 G ~r, ~r0 = −δ ~r − ~r0 G ~r, ~r0 =



⇒
k~r − ~r0 k
which can be expanded in terms of the spherical harmonics and radial solutions as
∞ `
exp[ikk~r − ~r0 k]
∗
Y`m (θ0 , φ0 ) Y`m (θ, φ)
X (1)
X
0 = ik j ` (kr < )h (kr > )
k~r − ~r k `=0 m=−`

These relations will be quoted in following sections.

Multipole vector waves

For this section, we will consider only monochromatic harmonic time-dependence. In other words, we can write
~ r, t) = E(~
E(~ ~ r) exp[−iωt] ~ r, t) = B(~
B(~ ~ r) exp[−iωt]

In a source-free region of empty space, the electric and magnetic fields satisfy

∇×E ~
~ = ikZ0 H ∇×H~ = − ik E
~
Z0
∇·E
~ =0 ∇·H
~ =0

Recall that the Maxwell equations may be put together to give the wave equation
! !
1 ∂2 2 ~ r, t) = 0 1 ∂ 2
2 ~ r, t) = 0
− ∇ E(~ − ∇ B(~
c2 ∂t2 c2 ∂t2

For monochromatic harmonic fields as we’re considering, these reduce to the Helmholtz equation:
   
∇2 + k 2 E(~
~ r) = 0 ∇2 + k 2 B(~
~ r) = 0

Let’s take a brief mathematical interlude. Suppose A ~ is a vector field satisfying the vector wave equation. Suppose further
that the field is divergenceless, ∇ · A = 0. Then it is perfectly admissible to write A
~ ~ = ∇ × (u(~r, t)~r). Let’s insert this
expression into the wave equation and see what we can extract:
! ! !
1 ∂2 2 ~ r, t) = 1 ∂ 2
2 1 ∂ 2
2
0= − ∇ A(~ − ∇ [∇ × (u(~r, t)~r)] = ∇ × − ∇ [u(~r, t)~r]
c2 ∂t2 c2 ∂t2 c2 ∂t2

Now it’s possible to write

h  i
∇ × ∇2 (u(~r, t)~r) = ijk ∂j [∂` ∂` (u(~r, t)xk )]
i
= ijk ∂j [∂` (xk ∂` u(~r, t) + δk` u(~r, t))]
= ijk ∂j [xk ∂` ∂` u(~r, t) + δk` ∂` u(~r, t) + δk` ∂` u(~r, t)]
= ijk ∂j [xk ∂` ∂` u(~r, t) + 2∂k u(~r, t)]
: 0r, t)
 
= ijk ∂j xk ∂ 2 u(~r, t) + 2 ijk
∂ j ∂k u(~

h  i
= ∇ × ~r ∇2 u(~r, t)
i

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Humberto Gilmer PHYS7701 Tutorial 11

Therefore, since the position vector can be moved freely past the time derivative, we can write
! !
1 ∂2 2 1 ∂2 2
0=∇× − ∇ [u(~r, t)~r] = [∇ × ~r] − ∇ u(~r, t)
c2 ∂t2 c2 ∂t2

which implies that u(~r, t) satisfies a scalar wave equation (!). Since we’re considering time-harmonic fields, then the wave
equation specializes to the Helmholtz equation and the same logic applies: a divergenceless vector field satisfying the Helmholtz
equation may be written as the curl of a radial vector times a scalar field satisfying the Helmholtz equation. In fact there
exists an important theorem regarding the decomposition of electromagnetic waves, known as the Whittaker theorem:
The Whittaker theorem
~ be a divergenceless vector field, ∇ · A
Let A ~ = 0. Since this implies that only two of three Cartesian components are
independent, then only two scalar functions satisfying the wave equation are required to fully describe the vector field.

Now, both E ~ and B~ are divergenceless in source-free space. Furthermore, the E ~ and B ~ fields are not independent of each
other. Thus we only need two scalar functions to fully describe vector radiation fields! Thus we’re left with the question as to
what scalar functions to choose and how to relate these to the electric and magnetic fields. A uniqueness theorem proved by
Bouwkamp and Casimir gives the requisite answer. The proof that follows may be omitted, but is provided for completeness.

**Uniqueness theorem**
Consider a region of space D between two concentric spheres. Let D be source-free, and let there be an electromagnetic field
with vanishing radial components r̂ · E
~ = r̂ · H
~ = 0. In other words, the field is transverse electromagnetic. It then follows
~ ~
that E = H = 0, or in other words, that the radial components completely determine the field in this region.

Proof. If Er = Hr = 0, then we can rewrite the Maxwell equations. For example, the Faraday law becomes

 
 0   0

~ =∇×E
~ = r̂ 1 ∂
∂Eθ  1 ∂E r
7 1 ∂ 1∂ ∂Er
ikZ0 H sin θEφ − + θ̂   − (rEφ ) + φ̂  (rEθ ) −

r sin θ ∂θ ∂φ r sin θ ∂φ r ∂r r ∂r ∂θ


Therefore we can write

∂
∂Eθ 1 ∂ 1 ∂
sin θEφ − =0 (rEφ ) = −ikZ0 Hθ (rEθ ) = ikZ0 Hφ
∂θ ∂φ r ∂r r ∂r
and similarly, the Ampère-Maxwell law gives
∂
∂Hθ 1 ∂ 1 ∂
sin θHφ − =0 (rHφ ) = ikZ0 Eθ (rHθ ) = −ikZ0 Eφ
∂θ ∂φ r ∂r r ∂r
Consider the second and sixth equations. These can be rewritten to give
∂ ∂
(rEφ ) = −ikZ0 rHθ and (rHφ ) = ikZ0 rEθ
∂r ∂r
Taking the second derivative allows the equations to be combined

∂2 ∂ ∂2
2 (rEφ ) = −ikZ0 (rHθ ) ⇒ (rEφ ) = k 2 Z02 rEφ
∂r ∂r ∂r2
and since this the SHO equation, this has the immediate solution

rEφ = −A2 (θ, φ) exp[ikZ0 r] − B2 (θ, φ) exp[−ikZ0 r]

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Humberto Gilmer PHYS7701 Tutorial 11

The other equations can be combined in similar manner to give, in summary,

rEθ = A1 (θ, φ) exp[ikZ0 r] + B1 (θ, φ) exp[−ikZ0 r]

rHφ = A1 (θ, φ) exp[ikZ0 r] − B1 (θ, φ) exp[−ikZ0 r]
rHθ = A2 (θ, φ) exp[ikZ0 r] − B2 (θ, φ) exp[−ikZ0 r]
rEφ = −A2 (θ, φ) exp[ikZ0 r] − B2 (θ, φ) exp[−ikZ0 r]

Now plug these expressions into the first equation to give

∂
∂(rEθ )
sin θ(rEφ ) =
∂θ ∂φ
∂ ∂A1 ∂B1
− [sin θ (A2 exp[ikZ0 r] + B2 exp[−ikZ0 r])] = exp[ikZ0 r] + exp[−ikZ0 r]
∂θ ∂φ ∂φ
Matching coefficients of the exponentials yields
∂ ∂A1 ∂ ∂B1
− (sin θA2 ) = − (sin θB2 ) =
∂θ ∂φ ∂θ ∂φ
Now plugging in the expressions into the fourth equation to give
∂
∂Hθ
sin θHφ =
∂θ ∂φ
∂ ∂A2 ∂B2
[sin θ (A1 exp[ikZ0 r] − B1 exp[−ikZ0 r])] = exp[ikZ0 r] − exp[−ikZ0 r]
∂θ ∂φ ∂φ
which yields
∂ ∂A2 ∂ ∂B2
(sin θA1 ) = (sin θB1 ) =
∂θ ∂φ ∂θ ∂φ
These four equations can be combined to yield two complex ODEs. Let C1 = A1 + iA2 and C2 = B1 + iB2 . Therefore, we
can write
∂ ∂ ∂A1 ∂A
− (sin θA2 ) + i (sin θA1 ) = +i 2
∂θ ∂θ ∂φ ∂φ
∂ ∂
i [sin θ (A1 + iA2 )] = (A + iA2 )
∂θ ∂φ 1
∂ ∂C
(sin θC1 ) = −i 1
∂θ ∂φ
θ


Similar arguments can be employed for C2 . This equation can be solved by change of variables. Let ψ = − log tan 2 .
Therefore, the derivative maps to
  
∂ ∂ ∂ψ 1 1 2 θ ∂ 1 ∂ 1 ∂
= =− sec =− =−
tan θ2 2 sin θ2 cos θ2 ∂ψ




∂θ ∂ψ ∂θ 2 2 ∂ψ sin θ ∂ψ

and thus the differential equation becomes

∂ ∂C
(sin θC1 ) = −i 1
∂θ ∂φ
1 ∂ ∂C1
(sin θC1 ) = i
sin θ ∂ψ ∂φ
∂ ∂
(sin θC1 ) = i (sin θC1 )
∂ψ ∂φ
∂f ∂f
=i
∂ψ ∂φ

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Humberto Gilmer PHYS7701 Tutorial 11

where f = C1 sin θ. This looks like a Cauchy-Riemann equation, with “real” coordinate φ and “imaginary” coordinate ψ ,
whose solution is a function of the form f = g(φ + iψ). Thus we know that C1 must be
   
1 θ
C1 = g φ − i log tan
sin θ 2

Now we know that g must be single-valued and analytic in the “complex” plane φ + iψ (since it satisfies the Cauchy-Riemann
equations). Since sin θ = 0 when θ = 0, π, then g = 0 at those points as well, which means g(φ ± i∞) = 0. Furthermore,
g must be periodic in φ with period 2π. Thus we see that g is uniformly bounded in the whole “complex” plane and by
the Liouville theorem, it follows that g must be constant. And since g is identically zero at at least one point, then it must
be zero everywhere, meaning C1 = 0, meaning A1 = A2 = 0. Similar arguments apply for B1 = B2 = 0. In other words,
specifying r̂ · E
~ = r̂ · H
~ = 0 has fixed E
~ =H
~ = 0, as desired.

Therefore, our scalar functions are u = ~r · E ~ and w = ~r · H.

~ Now, as we saw in the proof, specifying both to be zero
is tantamount to zeroing out the entire field. Therefore we cannot choose ~r · E ~ = ~r · H
~ = 0; incidentally, this means that
spherically-symmetric transverse electromagnetic radiation does not exist, and hence why monopoles do not radiate! However,
we can specify one of the functions to be zero at a time. In the case of transverse electric (TE) (or magnetic multipole) fields,
we choose   
~ (TE) = 0
~r · E ∇2 + k 2 ~r · H
~ (TE) = 0

in the case of transverse magnetic (TM) (electric multipole) fields, we choose

  
~ (TM) = 0
~r · H ∇2 + k 2 ~r · E
~ (TM) = 0

We must therefore solve the scalar Helmholtz equation and use this to generate the rest of the electric/magnetic fields. Using
the relations from the previous section, we can write

~ (TM) = −Z0 `(` + 1) f` (kr)Y`m (θ, φ)

~r · E ~ (TE) = `(` + 1) g` (kr)Y`m (θ, φ)
~r · H
`m `m
ik ik
(1) (1) (2) (2)
where f` (kr), g` (kr) = A` h` (kr) + A` h` (kr). The factors of `, Z0 and ik were chosen to make subsequent expressions
cleaner; there’s no loss of generality in doing this, it just amounts to a redefinition of the constants A(1) and A(2) . Now recall
that previously we found that a divergenceless vector field is of the form
X `m
∇·A ~=0 ⇒ ~=
A At (r)Φm ` (θ, φ)
`,m

and furthermore, the curl of such a field is

X  `(` + 1) `m m 1 d  `m  m

~=
∇×A − At Y` (θ, φ) − rAt Ψ` (θ, φ)
r r dr
`,m

Recall that Φm m m
` = r̂ × ∇Y` (θ, φ), meaning r̂ · Φ` = 0. Thus we’d expect E
~ (TM) , H
~ (TE) to be of the first form, and
their associated magnetic/electric fields to be of the second. Furthermore, recall that r̂ · Ψm m
` (θ, φ) = r̂ · Φ` (θ, φ) = 0 and
m m
r̂ · Y` (θ, φ) = Y` (θ, φ). Thus we can write

:0
" #
  X
`m m d 
`m

m
 X
~r · ∇ × A~ = −`(` + 1)At (r̂ · Y` (θ, φ)) − ·Ψ `(` + 1)A`m m

rAt  (r̂ (θ, φ)) = − t Y` (θ, φ)
`  
dr
`,m `,m

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We can combine this fact with the Ampère-Maxwell law to give

∇×H ~ (TM) = − ik E~ (TM)

`m
Z0 `m
~ (TM) = − ik ~r · E
 
~r · ∇ × H ~ (TM)
`m `m
Z0
 
ik `(` + 1)
−`(` + 1)Ht`m Y`m (θ, φ) = − −Z0 f` (kr)Y`m (θ, φ)
Z0 ik
⇒ Ht`m = f` (kr)

Similarly, combining with the Faraday law gives

∇×E ~ (TE) = ikZ0 H

~ (TE)
`m `m
 
(TE) ~ (TE)
~r · ∇ × E`m
~ = ikZ0~r · H `m
 
`m m `(` + 1) m
−`(` + 1)Et Y` (θ, φ) = −ikZ0 g` (kr)Y` (θ, φ)
ik
⇒ Et`m = Z0 g` (kr)

To summarize thus far, we have TE waves with components

~ (TE) = 0 ~ (TE) =
X `(` + 1)
~r · E ~r · H ΛM (`, m) g` (kr)Y`m (θ, φ)
k
`,m

and thus fields

 
~ (TE) = Z0
X iX `(` + 1) 1 d
E ΛM (`, m)g` (kr)Φm
` (θ, φ)
~
H (TE)
= ΛM (`, m) − m
g` (kr)Y` (θ, φ) − m
(rg` (kr)) Ψ` (θ, φ)
k r r dr
`,m `,m

and TM waves with components

~ (TM) = 0 ~ (TM) = Z0
X `(` + 1)
~r · H ~r · E ΛE (`, m) f` (kr)Y`m (θ, φ)
ik
`,m

and thus fields

 
~ (TM) =
X iZ0 X `(` + 1) 1 d
H ΛE (`, m)f` (kr)Φm
` (θ, φ)
~
E (TM)
= ΛE (`, m) m
f` (kr)Y` (θ, φ) + m
(rf` (kr)) Ψ` (θ, φ)
k r r dr
`,m `,m

where ΛE and ΛM are the coefficients specifying the amount of electric and magnetic multipole fields, respectively. The
total electric/magnetic field is the sum of the TE and TM fields for each. Putting these all together, the total electric and
magnetic fields are
X i 
`(` + 1) 1 d
 
E~ = Z0 ΛE (`, m) f` (kr)Y`m (θ, φ) + (rf` (kr)) Ψm
` (θ, φ) + Λ M (`, m)g` (kr)Φ m
` (θ, φ)
k r r dr
`,m
X i 
`(` + 1) m 1 d m

m

~
H= − ΛM (`, m) g` (kr)Y` (θ, φ) + (rg` (kr)) Ψ` (θ, φ) + ΛE (`, m)f` (kr)Φ` (θ, φ)
k r r dr
`,m

Note that all three VSH are present in the decomposition, as would be expected. The coefficients ΛE and ΛM , also known
as the electric and magnetic multipole moments, and the ingoing/outgoing factors A(1) , A(2) are determined by boundary
condition. Recall that the uniqueness theorem indicated that specifying the fields (in fact, just the radial components of the

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Humberto Gilmer PHYS7701 Tutorial 11

fields) at two radii was enough to determine the field everywhere in that region. To that end, using the orthogonality of the
VSH, it can be shown that
Z
k ∗
ΛM (`, m)g` (kr) = − (Y`m (θ, φ)) ~r · HdΩ
~
`(` + 1)
Z
k ∗
Z0 ΛE (`, m)f` (kr) = (Y`m (θ, φ)) ~r · EdΩ
~
`(` + 1)
These equations make the at-first contradictory names for the coefficients make sense.

Properties of Multipole Fields

Near zone fields
Fields in the near zone (kr → 0) can be applied to two separate cases. The first is the literal case where approximations are
applied to the radiating fields in the near vicinity of a radiating source of charges/currents. The second is as a recovery of the
static case considered in the previous section. Since k → 0 reduces the Helmholtz equation to the Laplace equation, then we
would expect our multipole fields to reduce to the static fields considered previously. As a reminder, recall that electrostatic
fields have no curl ∇ × E~ = 0, and thus we’d expect a field of the form

∞ X
X ` h i
~ =
E Er`m (r)Y`m (θ, φ) + Es`m (r)Ψm
` (θ, φ)
`=0 m=−`

while magnetostatic fields are the curl of a divergence free field H ~ ∇·A
~ = ∇ × A, ~ = 0, and therefore have the form

∞ X
`  
~ =∇×A
~=
X `(` + 1) `m m 1 d  `m  m
H − At Y` (θ, φ) − rAt Ψ` (θ, φ)
r r dr
`=0 m=−`

For kr → 0, we may consider the asymptotic forms of f` and g` ; in this limit, f` , g` ∝ n` . Note that we’re explicitly
considering a region that does not include the origin (since we’re close to a radiating source, not inside it), so we need not
worry about regularity of the solution. The TE electric field becomes

~ (TE) = −Z0
X (2` − 1)!! X (2` − 1)!!
E ΛM (`, m) `+1
Φm
` (θ, φ) and ~ (TM) = −
H ΛE (`, m) Φm
` (θ, φ)
`,m (kr) `,m (kr)`+1

and the affiliated TE magnetic field is

" ! #
~ (TE) iX `(` + 1) 1 m 1 d r m
H = ΛM (`, m)(2` − 1)!! Y` (θ, φ) + Ψ` (θ, φ)
k
`,m
r (kr)`+1 r dr (kr)`+1
" ! #
iX `(` + 1) 1 m 1 1 kr m
= ΛM (`, m)(2` − 1)!! Y` (θ, φ) + − (` + 1) Ψ` (θ, φ)
k
`,m
r (kr)`+1 r (kr)`+1 (kr)`+2
" #
iX k`(` + 1) m k` m
= ΛM (`, m)(2` − 1)!! Y` (θ, φ) − Ψ` (θ, φ)
k
`,m (kr)`+2 (kr)`+2
X `
=i ΛM (`, m)(2` − 1)!! [(` + 1)Y`m (θ, φ) − Ψm
` (θ, φ)]
`,m (kr)`+2

This field is of the form expected above. As we can see, the TE magnetic field is stronger than the TE electric field by a
factor of 1r and therefore the TE magnetic field dominates in the near zone; it is safe to say that in the near zone only TE
magnetic multipole fields are relevant. Conversely, the TM electric field is stronger than the TM magnetic field by a factor
of 1r and therefore the TM electric field dominates in the near zone; it is safe to say that in the near zone only TM electric
multipole fields are relevant.

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Humberto Gilmer PHYS7701 Tutorial 11

Radiation zone fields

A significant application of the multipole vector fields is in the treatment of radiation zone fields. The radiation zone
corresponds to the limit kr  1. Suppose we consider only outgoing waves, which correspond to setting f` , g` to spherical
Hankel functions of the first kind. These functions have asymptotic form

exp[ikr]
f` (kr), g` (kr) → (−i)`+1
kr
The TM magnetic field becomes
~ (TM) = exp[ikr]
X
H (−i)`+1 ΛE (`, m)Φm
` (θ, φ)
kr
`,m

Note that the field has the form of a spherical wave multiplied by an angular function or (sum of angular functions) describing
the vector dependence. The associated TM electric field is thus
   
~ (TM) = iZ0 `(` + 1) exp[ikr] m 1 d exp[ikr]
X
E ΛE (`, m) (−i)`+1 Y` (θ, φ) + r(−i)`+1 Ψm
` (θ, φ)
k r kr r dr kr
`,m
 
Z0 X ` exp[ikr] m 1 d m
= 2 (−i) ΛE (`, m) `(` + 1) Y` (θ, φ) + (exp[ikr]) Ψ` (θ, φ)
k `,m r2 r dr
 
Z0 X ` exp[ikr] m ik exp[ikr] m
= 2 (−i) ΛE (`, m) `(` + 1) Y` (θ, φ) + Ψ` (θ, φ)
k `,m r2 r
 
exp[ikr] X `+1 `(` + 1) m m
= Z0 (−i) ΛE (`, m) Y` (θ, φ) + Ψ` (θ, φ)
kr
`,m
r2
exp[ikr] X
≈ Z0 (−i)`+1 ΛE (`, m)Ψm ` (θ, φ)
kr
`,m

where, in the last step, only the term proportional to 1r has been kept as all other terms would be suppressed. As with the
magnetic field, the electric field has assumed the form of a spherical wave multiplied by a sum of angular functions describing
the vector dependence. Now note that
   
~ (TM) =  exp[ikr]  · Z0 exp[ikr]
0 0
(−i)` +1 ΛE (`0 , m0 )Ψm
X X
~ (TM) · E
H (−i)`+1 ΛE (`, m)Φm
` (θ, φ) ` (θ, φ)
0 
kr kr 0 0
`,m ` ,m

:0


exp[2ikr] X X 0
`+` +2 0 0
0
)Φm · Ψm
0
= Z0 (−1) ΛE (`, m)ΛE (` , m `(θ,
 φ) ` (θ, φ)=0
(kr)2 `,m `0 ,m0


where we exploited the vector orthogonality of the VSH in the last step. Since the coefficients in the sum are the same in
~ (TM) as
both the electric and magnetic fields, we can exploit this orthogonality to write E

~ (TM) = Z0 exp[ikr]
X
E (−i)`+1 ΛE (`, m)Ψm
` (θ, φ)
kr
`,m
exp[ikr] X
= Z0 (−i)`+1 ΛE (`, m) (Φm
` (θ, φ) × r̂)
kr
`,m
 
exp[ikr] X
= Z0  (−i)`+1 ΛE (`, m)Φm` (θ, φ)
 × r̂
kr
`,m

~ (TM) × r̂
= Z0 H

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Humberto Gilmer PHYS7701 Tutorial 11

In other words, radiation zone fields are transverse electromagnetic. This makes sense as spherical waves, far from the source,
appear approximately as plane waves which exhibit such properties. Lastly, note that TE and TM fields are orthogonal to
each other, again thanks to the orthogonality properties of the VSH. Thus, a summary of radiation zone results is

TM (or electric multipole) fields have the form

~ (TM) = exp[ikr]
X
H (−i)`+1 ΛE (`, m)Φm
` (θ, φ)
~ (TM) = Z0 H
E ~ (TM) × r̂ ~ (TM) · H
E ~ (TM) = 0
kr
`,m

TE (or magnetic multipole) fields have the form

~ (TE) = Z0 exp[ikr] ~ (TE) = 1 E

X
E (−i)`+1 ΛM (`, m)Φm
` (θ, φ) H ~ (TE) × r̂
kr Z0
`,m

In the radiation zone, electric and magnetic multipole fields become transverse electromagnetic

~ (TM) · H
E ~ (TM) = 0 ~ (TE) · H
E ~ (TE) = 0

And lastly, electric multipole electric/magnetic fields are orthogonal to magnetic multipole electric/magnetic fields

~ (TM) · E
E ~ (TE) = 0 ~ (TM) · H
H ~ (TE) = 0

Energy radiation
Recall that the energy density u in a region of space filled by monochromatic time-harmonic fields is given by
 ~ ~∗ ~∗

u= 0 E · E + Z02 H
~ ·H
4
A general radiation field is comprised of both TM and TE waves, with the forms given in the previous section

~ (TE) = exp[ikr]
X
~ (TM) + E
~ =E
E (−i)`+1 [ΛE (`, m)Ψm m
` (θ, φ) + ΛM (`, m)Φ` (θ, φ)]
~ (TM) + H
~ =H
H ~ (TE) = Z0 E
~ × ~r
kr
`,m

Plugging these decompositions into the energy density gives

 h ~ (TM) ~ (TE)   ~ (TM) ~ (TE) ∗    ∗ i
u= 0 E +E · E +E + Z02 H~ (TM) + H
~ (TE) · H ~ (TM) + H~ (TE)
4
0 h ~ (TM)  ~ (TM) ∗ 
~ (TE) · E
∗
~ (TE) + 2Z0 H

~ (TM) · H
∗
~ (TM) + 2Z0 H

~ (TE) · H ~ (TE)
∗ i
= 2E · E + 2E
4
h  ∗  ∗ i
= 0 E ~ (TM) · E~ (TM) + E ~ (TE) · E ~ (TE)

~ = Z0 kEk
where we’ve exploited the fact that kHk ~ in the radiation zone. The energy dU in a spherical shell of radius dr is
given by integrating this expression over all angles:
Z 
dU = udΩ r2 dr

Page 17 of ??
Humberto Gilmer PHYS7701 Tutorial 11

Let’s consider the first term in the above expression:

 
Z  ∗ exp[ikr]
Z X
exp[−ikr] 0  0 ∗
(i)` +1 Λ∗E (`0 , m0 ) Ψm
X
~ (TM) · E
E ~ (TM) dΩ = Z0 (−i)`+1 ΛE (`, m)Ψm
` (θ, φ) ·
Z0
` (θ, φ)
0  dΩ
kr kr 0 0
`,m ` ,m

Z02 ∗
0
Z  0
(−i)`+1 (−i)` +1 ΛE (`, m)Λ∗E (`0 , m0 )
X
= 2 2 Ψm m
` (θ, φ) · Ψ`0 (θ, φ) dΩ
k r 0 0
`,` ,m,m

Z02 0
(−i)`+1 (i)` +1 ΛE (`, m)Λ∗E (`0 , m0 )`(` + 1)δ``0 δmm0
X
= 2 2
k r 0 0
`,` ,m,m

Z02
(−i)`+1 (i)`+1 ΛE (`, m)Λ∗E (`, m)
X
= 2 2
k r 0 0
`,` ,m,m

Z02 X
= 2 2 `(` + 1)|ΛE (`, m)|2
k r `,m

By symmetry, we can write

Z ∗ 2 X
~ (TE) dΩ = Z0

~ (TE) · E
E `(` + 1)|ΛM (`, m)|2
k 2 r2 `,m
Therefore the energy in a spherical shell of radius r is
0 Z02 X  
dU = `(` + 1) |ΛE (`, m)|2 + |ΛM (`, m)|2 dr
k2 `,m

Note that this energy is independent of the radius, as we would expect for radiating fields.

Angular distribution
~ · dA.
Recall that the time-averaged power is related to the Poynting vector by the relation hdP i = hSi ~ The Poynting vector
h i
is given by S~ =E ~ × H;
~ if the fields are monochromatic time-harmonic, then we can write hSi ~ = Re E
1 ~ ×H ~ ∗ . As in the
2
previous section, we can write a general radiation field as a combination of TE and TM waves:

~ (TM) = exp[ikr]
X
H~ =H ~ (TE) + H (−i)`+1 [ΛM (`, m)Ψm m
` (θ, φ) + ΛE (`, m)Φ` (θ, φ)] E~ =E~ (TE) + E
~ (TM) = Z0 H~ × ~r
kr
`,m

Plugging this into the time-averaged Poynting vector gives

~ = 1 Re E
h i
hSi ~ ×H~∗
2
1 h ~ (TM) ~ (TE)   ~ (TM) ~ (TE) ∗ i
= Re E +E × E +H
2 
0 0

1  ∗   :
∗  :
∗   ∗
~ (TM) × H ~ (TM) + E~ (TM)  ~(TE)
 ~ (TE) × (TM)
~  ~ (TE) × H~ (TE) 
= Re E
2  × H +E H +E
 
1 h ~ (TM)  ~ (TM) ∗ ~ (TE)  ~ (TE) ∗ i
= Re E × H +E × H
2
1 h   ∗  ∗ i
= Re Z0 H ~ (TM) × r̂ × H ~ (TM) + Z0 H ~ (TE) × r̂ × H ~ (TE)
2
:0  0
 
Z    ∗    ∗     ∗    ∗  :

= 0 Re r̂ H ~ (TM) · H~ (TM) − H ~ (TM)  r̂
 · ~

H (TM)
+ r̂ ~
H (TE)
· ~
H (TE)
− ~
H (TE) ~
r̂ ·
(TE)
H 
2
 
 
Z0
= r̂ u
20

Page 18 of ??
Humberto Gilmer PHYS7701 Tutorial 11

As expected, the Poynting vector is proportional to the energy density. We can therefore employ the expressions found in
that section. Consider a pure multipole field (i.e., a single value for `, m). Then we can write
∗  
(TM)

(TM) exp[ikr] `+1 m exp[−ikr] `+1 ∗ ∗ 1
H`,m · H`,m
~ ~ = (−i) ΛE (`, m)Φ` (θ, φ) · (i) ΛE (`, m) (Φ` (θ, φ)) = 2 2 |ΛE (`, m)|2 kΦm
m
` (θ, φ)k
2
kr kr k r
and similarly
 ∗ 1 1 1
~ (TE) · H~ (TE) = 2 m 2 2
× Φm 2 2 m 2
H `,m `,m 2 2 |ΛM (`, m)| kΨ` (θ, φ)k = 2 2 |ΛM (`, m)| kr̂ ` (θ, φ)k = 2 2 |ΛM (`, m)| kΦ` (θ, φ)k
k r k r k r
~ = r̂r2 dΩ, we can write
With dA

~ · dA
hdP i = hSi ~
Z
= r̂ 0 u · r̂r2 dΩ
20
 
dP Z h ~ (TM)  ~ (TM) ∗ ~ (TE)  ~ (TE) ∗ i 2
= 0 H · H +H · H r dΩ
dΩ 2
Z h i
= 02 |ΛE (`, m)|2 + |ΛM (`, m)|2 kΦm` (θ, φ)k
2
2k

We therefore need an explicit expression for kΦm 2

` (θ, φ)k .

Radiation from a localized source

ρ(~r, t) = ρ(~r) exp[−iωt] ~ r, t) = J(~

J(~ ~ r) exp[−iωt]

Page 19 of ??