Associated Legendre polynomial (I think)

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on solving a problem related to the spherical wave equation φ(t, θ, Φ) using Associated Legendre polynomials and spherical harmonics. The user successfully calculated φ(0, θ, Φ) and its time derivative at t=0, but struggles with applying initial values φ(0, θ, Φ) = Y3-2 and ∂φ/∂t(0, θ, Φ) = 16Y22. The user deduced that m = -2 and n = 3 for the spherical harmonics but faced challenges in evaluating Y3-2 and determining the coefficients Anm.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of spherical harmonics, specifically Ynm functions.
  • Familiarity with Associated Legendre polynomials, denoted as Pnm(z).
  • Knowledge of differential calculus, particularly differentiation with respect to cos(θ).
  • Basic concepts of wave equations and their general solutions.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties and applications of Associated Legendre polynomials in solving differential equations.
  • Learn how to derive and evaluate spherical harmonics Ynm for various values of n and m.
  • Explore techniques for calculating coefficients Anm in the context of spherical wave equations.
  • Investigate the relationship between initial conditions and solutions in wave equations.
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Students and researchers in mathematical physics, particularly those studying wave equations, spherical harmonics, and associated Legendre polynomials. This discussion is beneficial for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of these mathematical concepts and their applications in physics.

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Homework Statement


I'm not 100% sure what this type of problem is called, we weren't really told, so I'm having trouble looking it up. I'd really appreciate any resources that show solved examples, or how to find some!

Anyway. For the solution to the spherical wave equation φ(t, θ, Φ)
i) Calculate φ( 0, θ, Φ) and ##\frac{\partial φ}{\partial t}##(0, θ, Φ) in terms of Anm and Bnm.

ii)Let the initial value of φ be given by φ( 0, θ, Φ) = ##Y_{3}^{-2}##
and
##\frac{\partial φ}{\partial t}##(0, θ, Φ) = 16##Y_{2}^{2}##

Homework Equations


##P_{n}^{m}(z) = \frac{1}{2^n n!}(1-z^2)^{0.5m} \frac{d^(n+m)}{dz^(n+m)}(z^2-1)^n## (1)

##Y_{n}^{m}(\theta, \phi) = (\frac{2n+1}{4 \pi} \frac{(n-m)!}{(n+m)!})^{0.5} e^{im \phi}P_{n}^{m}(cosθ)## (2)

General solution:
φ = ΣΣ ##A_{nm} cos(t \sqrt{n(n+1)}) + B_{nm}sin(t \sqrt{n(n+1)})##

3. The Attempt at a Solution

I've done part one.
φ( 0, θ, Φ) = ΣΣ ##A_{nm}Y_{n}^{m}(\theta, \phi)## from just subbing in t= 0 to the general solution.

##\frac{\partial \phi}{\partial t}(0,\theta,\phi) =##ΣΣ##B_{nm} \sqrt{n(n+1)}Y_{n}^{m}(\theta, \phi)##

But for part two, I don't know what to do with the initial values! If φ( 0, θ, Φ) = ##Y_{3}^{-2}## then does that mean m = -2 and n = 3 for the whole equation? Presumably not or ##A_{nm}## = 0.

And I can't actually evaluate ##Y_{3}^{-2}##. Because subbing m and n into equation two means I have to also work out P from equation 1. So sub in z = cosθ in this case, but how can I differentiate with respect to cosθ? That doesn't make sense!
 
Last edited:
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OK, worked out how to evaluate ##Y_{3}^{-2}##, and got it equals ##\sqrt{210} e^{(-2i \theta)} \frac{cos(\theta)sin(\theta)^2}{8}##, which is the equal to
∑∑ ##A_{nm}Y_{n}^{m}##
Where the first sum is from n=0 to infinity and the second is from m=-n to n. So I don't know how to find ##A_{nm}## from that?
 

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