Spherical Harmonic Integration

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the evaluation of spherical harmonic integrals, specifically the integral of the product of spherical harmonics. Kostas presents the integral \int_S Y_{nm}(\omega)Y_{nm}^*(\omega) d\omega and seeks confirmation that it equals \frac{2n+1}{4\pi}. The conclusion is supported by the known result that \int_S \left|Y_{nm}(\omega)\right|^2 d\omega = \frac{2n+1}{4\pi}. Additionally, the orthogonality principle of spherical harmonics is discussed, confirming that \int_S Y_{nm}(\omega) Y_{n'm'}^*(\omega) d\omega = \delta_{nn'} \delta_{mm'}, reinforcing the correctness of Kostas's approach.

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Spherical Harmonic Integration please help!

Hi guys,

I have a spherical harmonic integration problem that I would like to solve

\int_S Y_{nm}^*(\omega)Y_{nm}^*(\omega) d\omega
which I re-write as follows:

= \int_S \left|Y_{nm}^*(\omega)\right|^2 d\omega

Am I right to say that

\int_S \left|Y_{nm}^*(\omega)\right|^2 d\omega = \frac{2n+1}{4\pi} ?

since we know that

\left|Y_{nm}^*(\omega)\right|^2 = \frac{2n+1}{4\pi}

Thanks in advance

Kostas
 
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Spherical Harmonic Integration please help!

Hi,

Please accept my apologies but I would like to re-phrase the problem as it might make things clearer for those of you who are experts in this area of mathematics. I have also made some corrections to my last post.

I have a spherical harmonic integration problem that I would like to solve. The integral follows:

\int_S Y_{nm}(\omega)Y_{nm}^*(\omega) d\omega

My understanding is that the above can be re-written as follows:

\int_S Y_{nm}(\omega)Y_{nm}^*(\omega) d\omega= \int_S \left|Y_{nm}(\omega)\right|^2 d\omega

and since we know that

\int_S \left|Y_{nm}(\omega)\right|^2 d\omega = \frac{2n+1}{4\pi}

I conclude that

\int_S Y_{nm}(\omega)Y_{nm}^*(\omega) d\omega = \frac{2n+1}{4\pi}

Would you agree with the above approach?

My problem is that using the orthogonality principle of Spherical Harmonics the same problem can be handled (or can it be handled?).

\int_S Y_{nm}(\omega) Y_{n'm'}^*(\omega) d\omega = \delta_{nn'} \delta_{mm'}

so that if n = n' the result will be equal to 1 and 0 otherwise. Am I wrong?

I would highly appreciate your advice

Kostas
 

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