Series expansion for 2D dipole displaced from the origin

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the expansion of electric potential for a 2D line dipole using an infinite series of ρ and cos(nφ) while solving the Laplace equation in polar coordinates. The user correctly derives the potential for a line dipole positioned at (-x0, 0) but encounters discrepancies in the coefficients An based on whether ρ is greater or less than x0. The issue arises at the boundary of ρ = x0, where the potential calculated from different An coefficients yields differing signs. This indicates a misunderstanding in the application of the series expansion, particularly regarding the coefficients for r^n and 1/r^n.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Laplace's equation in polar coordinates
  • Familiarity with electric potential and dipole theory
  • Knowledge of contour integration techniques
  • Basic concepts of series expansions in mathematical physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of electric potential for 2D dipoles in detail
  • Learn about the properties of contour integrals in complex analysis
  • Research the implications of boundary conditions in potential theory
  • Explore the differences between coefficients in series expansions for various geometries
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physicists, electrical engineers, and students studying electromagnetism, particularly those focusing on dipole interactions and potential theory in two-dimensional systems.

dilloncyh
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I learn that we can expand the electric potential in an infinite series of rho and cos(n*phi) when solving the Laplace equation in polar coordinates. The problem I want to consider is the expansion for the potential due to a 2D line dipole (two infinitely-long line charge separated by a small distance). In the attached image, I have written down the potential due to a line dipole (I'm pretty sure it's correct, at least the dot product and the dependence on D and r). Now I place the perfect line dipole at a position (-x0,0), and I want to calculate the potential in terms of the infinite series. The problem is that the coefficient An is different depending on whether rho is bigger than or smaller than x0 when I solve the integral using contour integral (again, pretty sure the definite integral is done correctly). At the 'imaginary' boundary of rho=x0, the potential calculated using the two different An should give the same results, but now they differ by a sign. Why is that? What have I done wrong?
 

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It's not the same A_n for each case. The expansion has one set of coefficients for r^n and a second set, B_n, for 1/r^n.
 

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