How to Calculate Magnetic Field Strength of Helmholtz Coils?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the magnetic field strength produced by Helmholtz coils, specifically focusing on methods to determine the field strength at various positions in space, not limited to the central axis. Participants seek equations or methodologies for both analytical and numerical approaches.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant requests an equation or method to calculate the magnetic field strength from Helmholtz coils at any position in space.
  • Another participant suggests that the magnetic field is the vector sum of the fields produced by each coil.
  • A participant expresses uncertainty about how to find the individual magnetic field vectors for each coil, noting that existing equations typically apply only to the central axis of a single coil.
  • It is mentioned that the Biot-Savart law must be integrated for points off-axis to find the magnetic field vectors.
  • One participant provides a link to an analytical solution for calculating the magnetic field off-axis.
  • Another participant indicates that numerical methods can be used without needing elliptic integrals, suggesting a method that involves summing contributions from small segments of the coils.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on a specific method or equation for calculating the magnetic field strength at arbitrary points. Multiple approaches are discussed, including both analytical and numerical methods, but no single solution is agreed upon.

Contextual Notes

Participants note limitations in existing equations, particularly their applicability only to the central axis of coils. There is also mention of the need for integration techniques and the potential complexity of numerical methods.

jgrossm1
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I am currently working on a research project, and need an equation or method to find the magnetic field strength produced by any number of helmholtz coils, and not just on the central axis, but at any position in the space around them. Can anyone help me out?

Thanks
 
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it's just the vector sum of the b field due to each coil.
 
OK, i understand that, but how do you find the individual b field vectors for each coil, as all of the equations I've searched for so far will only do this for the central axis of a single coil, nowhere else
 
jgrossm1 said:
OK, i understand that, but how do you find the individual b field vectors for each coil, as all of the equations I've searched for so far will only do this for the central axis of a single coil, nowhere else

you have to do the integral of the biot-savart law for a point off axis. definitely someone has done it already though so it has to be somewhere. maybe look in an intermediate E&M book. or just do it yourself.
 
clive said:
Here is an analytical solution:
http://www.netdenizen.com/emagnet/offaxis/iloopoffaxis.htm

If not, do it numerically...(and you do not need those elliptic integrals any more)

Do you know of a website that demonstrates and explains the method numerically with the elliptic integrals?
 
In the numerical approach you do not need those elliptic integrals. You just consider each loop as a collection of small tail-to-tip oriented segments and sum the individual contributions at each point (of interest) of the space:
[tex]H_i=\frac{I\,\vec{dl}_i\times \hat{r}_i}{4\pi r_i^2}[/tex]
 

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