Fourier transform solution to electrostatics Poisson equation?

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on solving the electrostatic Poisson equation using Fourier transform techniques, specifically in both 3D and 2D contexts. The initial approach involves evaluating the Green's function through Fourier transforms, leading to the integral expression for G. A participant later shares their experience using the FFTW3 library for Discrete Fourier Transforms (DFT) to solve the equation in a 2D plane, encountering discrepancies between computational and analytical results. The conversation highlights the importance of correctly applying boundary conditions and transformation techniques in electrostatics problems.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Poisson equation and electrostatics principles
  • Familiarity with Fourier transforms and their applications in physics
  • Knowledge of Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) and FFTW3 library usage
  • Basic skills in complex analysis, particularly residue theory
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the Green's function for the Poisson equation in 3D
  • Learn about the application of FFTW3 for solving partial differential equations
  • Explore techniques for ensuring boundary conditions in Fourier space
  • Investigate common pitfalls in numerical solutions of the Poisson equation
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, computational scientists, and engineers working on electrostatics problems or numerical methods for solving partial differential equations.

Peeter
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Am just playing around, and
following examples of Fourier transform solutions of the heat equation, tried the same thing for
the electrostatics Poisson equation
<br /> \nabla^2 \phi &amp;= -\rho/\epsilon_0 \\<br />

With Fourier transform pairs
<br /> \begin{align*}<br /> \hat{f}(\mathbf{k}) &amp;= \frac{1}{(\sqrt{2\pi})^3} \iiint f(\mathbf{x}) e^{-i \mathbf{k} \cdot \mathbf{x} } d^3 x \\<br /> {f}(\mathbf{x}) &amp;= \frac{1}{(\sqrt{2\pi})^3} \iiint \hat{f}(\mathbf{k}) e^{i \mathbf{k} \cdot \mathbf{x} } d^3 k \\<br /> \end{align*}<br />

one gets

<br /> \begin{align*}<br /> \phi(\mathbf{x}) &amp;= \frac{1}{\epsilon_0} \int \rho(\mathbf{x}&#039;) G(\mathbf{x-x&#039;}) d^3 x&#039; \\<br /> G(\mathbf{x}) &amp;= \frac{1}{(2 \pi)^3} \iiint \frac{1}{\mathbf{k}^2} e^{ i \mathbf{k} \cdot \mathbf{x} } d^3 k<br /> \end{align*}<br />

Now it seems to me that this integral G only has to be evaluated around a small neighbourhood of the origin. For example if one evaluates one of
the
integrals
<br /> \int_{-\infty}^\infty \frac{1}{{k_1}^2 + {k_2}^2 + {k_3}^3 } e^{ i k_1 x_1 } dk_1 <br />

using a an upper half plane contour the result is zero unless k_2 = k_3 = 0. So one is left with something loosely like

<br /> G(\mathbf{x}) &amp;= \lim_{\epsilon \rightarrow 0} \frac{1}{(2 \pi)^3} <br /> \int_{k_1 = -\epsilon}^{\epsilon} dk_1<br /> \int_{k_2 = -\epsilon}^{\epsilon} dk_2<br /> \int_{k_3 = -\epsilon}^{\epsilon} dk_3<br /> \frac{1}{\mathbf{k}^2} e^{ i \mathbf{k} \cdot \mathbf{x} } <br />

However, from electrostatics we also know that the solution to the Poission equation means that G(\mathbf{x}) = \frac{1}{4\pi\lvert{\mathbf{x}}\rvert}.
Does anybody know of a technique that would reduce the integral limit expression above for G to the 1/x form? Am thinking something residue related, but I'm a bit rusty with my complex variables and how exactly to procede isn't obvious.
 
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found the answer in a book recently purchased, but not yet read (Mathematics of Classical and Quantum Physics). They cleverly introduce a pole in the upper half plane by evaluating

<br /> \iiint \frac{1}{\mathbf{k}^2 + a^2} e^{ i \mathbf{k} \cdot \mathbf{x} } d^3 k<br />

After a change to spherical polar coordinates, that new integral can be evaluated, and the Poisson Green's function follows by letting a tend to zero.
 
I still don't see how to take these integrals. I've tried it a few ways.
 
Do you mean you don't see how to evaluate:

<br /> \iiint \frac{1}{\mathbf{k}^2 + a^2} e^{ i \mathbf{k} \cdot \mathbf{x} } d^3 k<br />

or, you don't see how to get to that point by taking the Fourier transforms?
 
Nevermind - I got it.
 
Hi, yes, it was taking that integral that I was having trouble with. Thanks.
 
hi

I am trying to solve the electrostatic poisson's equation mentioned in the first post in 2D using Discrete Fourier Transform (I am using fftw3 library and REDFT10 / REDFT01 transforms). For my problem, I have charge densities given in a 2D plane at discrete points and I have to find out potential at those points. The range of solution, and boundary condition are :

0 < x < L1 and 0 < y < L2 and Dirichlet boundary condition.

I have taken phi to be 2D - Gaussian function (peaked at center of 2D grid) with sigma = 1.0, phi0 = 10.0, so that I am able to check the results analytically too.

I am writing below the steps:

1. I take 2D - DFT of charge densitiy
2. Solve the equation in Fourier space for phi in Fourier space
3. take inverse 2D - DFT of phi to get phi in x-y plane


When I compare my computational result with analytical result, they do not match.
Can anybody help me in understanding the reason and finding the right way to solve Poisson's equation using DFTs.

thanks
 

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