How to derive Lienard-Wiechert potential from Maxwell's equation?

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The discussion focuses on the derivation of the Lienard-Wiechert potentials from Maxwell's equations, highlighting the need for a rigorous approach. A reference to Jackson's derivation is made, which requires familiarity with relativistic formalism and retarded Green's functions. The key equations for deriving the potentials involve integrating the current density over four-dimensional spacetime. Additionally, an alternative derivation from Griffiths' "Electrodynamics" is mentioned as being intuitive and self-contained. The conversation emphasizes the challenges in finding a satisfactory and rigorous derivation of the Lienard-Wiechert potentials.
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I've seen one derivation on Feynman Lectures on Physics, but the derivation is not really rigorous(he took a very special case for the derivation),I googled about the topic and couldn't find a satisfactory one. So can anybody give me a rigorous one?
Thanks in advance
 
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Jackson derives it in 6 equations at the start of chapter 14, but you need to be familiar with the relativistic formalism (current and potential as four-vectors) and retarded Green's functions. If you are familiar with these, than the LW potentials follow from:

\mathbf{A} = \frac{4\pi}{c} \int d^4x' G(x-x') \mathbf{J}(x')

\mathbf{J}(x') = \int d\tau \mathbf{v}(\tau) \delta^4(x' - r(\tau))

where r is the trajectory (four-vector), and v is the four-velocity. All you do is sub the second eq into the first and crank it out to derive the LW potentials.
 
Thanks.But I'm not quite familiar with the manipulation of those, I'll give a shot.
And are there any other derivations avaliable?
 
I'm not a big fan of Griffiths, but his "Electrodynamics" text has a pretty good derivation of it in chapter 10 - self contained and quite intuitive.


-----
Assaf
http://www.physicallyincorrect.com"
 
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ozymandias said:
I'm not a big fan of Griffiths, but his "Electrodynamics" text has a pretty good derivation of it in chapter 10 - self contained and quite intuitive.


-----
Assaf
http://www.physicallyincorrect.com"
Thanks, I will have a look at it.
 
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