Finding B-Field Of Solenoid Slightly Off Axis?

AI Thread Summary
To find the magnetic field of a solenoid at slight deviations from the z-axis, the discussion highlights the complexity of the problem, which often involves elliptic integrals and numerical integration techniques. A Taylor expansion around the z-axis is suggested for small deviations, but the magnetic field inside a sufficiently long solenoid is typically homogeneous, negating the need for such expansions. The user seeks clarification on how to apply Taylor expansion to the magnetic field components and whether it is reasonable to assume small displacements in all three dimensions. There is uncertainty about how many terms to retain in the Taylor expansion for accurate results. The conversation emphasizes the mathematical challenges involved in calculating the magnetic field off-axis.
jasonpatel
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If you have a solenoid positioned along the z axis...

...how would one find the b-field at slight deviations of x and y?

I have been googling for hours and can't find anything other than the fact that it is very difficult!

Thanks guys!
 
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This is kind of a hard problem that involves elliptic integrals.
Here is paper that shows you how to do it .

http://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19980227402

Also this might help.
http://www.netdenizen.com/emagnettest/offaxis/?offaxisloop
 
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Interesting read, but extremely complicated! Haha, i was wondering if there was a way to taylor expand around the z axis with infinitely small deviations from the z axis (i.e. x+ε and y+ε)

Any thoughts?
 
jasonpatel said:
Interesting read, but extremely complicated! Haha, i was wondering if there was a way to taylor expand around the z axis with infinitely small deviations from the z axis (i.e. x+ε and y+ε)

Any thoughts?
What exactly do you want to expand?
Note that the magnetic field inside a sufficiently long solenoid is in fact homogeneous and there is no need to expand anything, Also the need for complicated math and numerical integration techniques arises even on axis for a short finite solenoid since the fields at the ends diverge.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soleno...ctor_potential_for_finite_continuous_solenoid
 
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Well, let me get a little more specific then.

My actual problem was to find the b-field of a helix coil along the axis of symmetry (z-axis), and I did. The B_x, B_y and B_z components are all a function of z and no other variables.

Then I was asked to find the b-field at very small deviations from the z-axis, x+ε and y+ε. I was also given the advice to do some "Taylor expansion of the field".

But i don't have a clue of how to do that! Any help??
 
Just to make things very clear I have attached a pdf of the integrals I will be computing. So, I am wondering if I should expand ∅ with a taylor expansion because of the assumption that displacements of ∅ will be very small i.e. (∅ + ε) and (∅ - ε)

I am hoping this expansion of ∅ will create a simple integral and the answer of which will give the b-field in terms of (x,y,z) with the assumption that displacements in the (x,y,z) will be very small (x+ε,y+ε,z+ε).

Does this sound reasonable or am I totally off? Also, how many terms in the taylor expansion should I keep?
 

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