Spherical Harmonics easy question

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SUMMARY

The discussion revolves around the normalization of spherical harmonics, specifically for the case of \(Y_{1}^{1}\). The user calculates \(Y_{1}^{1}\) using the formula \(Y_{\ell}^m = \sqrt{\frac{(2\ell + 1)(\ell - m)!}{4\pi(\ell + m)!}}P^m_{\ell}(\cos\theta)e^{im\varphi}\) and arrives at \(\frac{1}{2}\sqrt{\frac{3}{2\pi}}e^{i\varphi}\sin \theta\). However, Mathematica returns \(-\frac{1}{2} e^{i\varphi} \sqrt{\frac{3}{2\pi}} \sin\theta\). The discrepancy arises from the normalization convention, where the user's reference includes a factor of \((-1)^m\) in the formula.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of spherical harmonics and their mathematical representation.
  • Familiarity with the associated Legendre polynomials \(P^m_{\ell}(\cos\theta)\).
  • Knowledge of complex exponential functions in the context of angular coordinates.
  • Experience with Mathematica for symbolic computation.
NEXT STEPS
  • Review the normalization conventions for spherical harmonics in various textbooks.
  • Learn about the properties of associated Legendre polynomials \(P^m_{\ell}(\cos\theta)\).
  • Explore the implications of the factor \((-1)^m\) in spherical harmonic calculations.
  • Practice using Mathematica to compute spherical harmonics for different values of \(\ell\) and \(m\).
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, physicists, and engineers working with spherical harmonics, particularly in fields such as quantum mechanics, geophysics, and computer graphics.

Dustinsfl
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$$
Y_{\ell}^m = \sqrt{\frac{(2\ell + 1)(\ell - m)!}{4\pi(\ell + m)!}}P^m_{\ell}(\cos\theta)e^{im\varphi}
$$

For $\ell = m = 1$, we have
$$
\sqrt{\frac{(2 + 1)(0)!}{4\pi(2)!}}P^1_{1}(\cos\theta)e^{i\varphi} = \frac{1}{2}\sqrt{\frac{3}{2\pi}}e^{i\varphi}\sin \theta
$$

But Mathematica is telling me the solution is
$$
-\frac{1}{2} e^{i\varphi} \sqrt{\frac{3}{2\pi}} \sin\theta
$$

What is going wrong?
 
Last edited:
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dwsmith said:
$$
Y_{\ell}^m = \sqrt{\frac{(2\ell + 1)(\ell - m)!}{4\pi(\ell + m)!}}P^m_{\ell}(\cos\theta)e^{im\varphi}
$$

For $\ell = m = 1$, we have
$$
\sqrt{\frac{(2 + 1)(0)!}{4\pi(2)!}}P^1_{1}(\cos\theta)e^{i\varphi} = \frac{1}{2}\sqrt{\frac{3}{2\pi}}e^{i\varphi}\sin \theta
$$

But Mathematica is telling me the solution is
$$
-\frac{1}{2} e^{i\varphi} \sqrt{\frac{3}{2\pi}} \sin\theta
$$

What is going wrong?
I'm not sure about how your book normalizes spherical harmonics, but mine has
Y_l^m (\theta, \phi) = (-1)^m \sqrt{\frac{(2l+1)(l-m)!}{4 \pi (l+ m)!}} P_l^m(cos(\theta)) e^{im \phi}

-Dan
 

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