Another Notation Thing: Del^2 V

1. Mar 29, 2007

Swapnil

What does the subscript $$(\theta, \phi)$$ mean on the laplace operator? i.e.

$${\nabla}^2 V_{(\theta, \phi)}$$

2. Mar 29, 2007

robphy

Can you provide the context of this notation?

3. Mar 29, 2007

CPL.Luke

hmm, the lapace operator is normally just the nabla^2, perhaps the subscipt specifies the variables/co-ordinates of the function V on which the laplace operator is operating

4. Mar 29, 2007

masudr

I think the variables should be on the operator, and not on the potential. I've seen it most commonly like this:

$$\nabla^2_{r'} V(r-r')$$

where the subscript is to remind us that, as CPL.Luke says, that we are differentiating with respect to the dashed variables (or undashed, as it is in your example)

5. Mar 30, 2007

Swapnil

Ooops.. I meant to put the subscript on the operator not on the function. Sorry about that.

6. Mar 30, 2007

Swapnil

In response to the context of my question, the author who used this notation was integrating the potential on the surface of the sphere. So I guess the notation $${{\nabla}^2}_{(\theta, \phi)} V$$ is used to denote the variables which are held constant while the notation $${{\nabla}^2}_r V$$ is used to denote the variable(s) which are being integrated over.

7. Mar 31, 2007

quasar987

I've seen $$\nabla^2_{xy}$$ to mean

$$\nabla^2_{xy}=\frac{\partial^2}{\partial x^2}+\frac{\partial^2}{\partial y^2}$$

8. Apr 10, 2007

jasc15

This is what i would say. i believe the theta and phi in the subscript in the original post imply spherical coordinates.

9. Apr 10, 2007