Transforming Spherical Angles to Cartesian Coordinates for Beam Dynamics

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around transforming spherical angles (theta and phi) to Cartesian coordinates in the context of beam dynamics, specifically related to Compton scattering. Participants explore the mathematical relationships necessary for deriving derivatives and ratios relevant to particle motion in a magnetic field.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents equations for converting spherical coordinates to Cartesian coordinates for particles undergoing Compton scattering.
  • Another participant questions whether the transformation is necessary and suggests that the relationship between spherical and Cartesian coordinates is well-documented.
  • Some participants discuss the implications of the particle's movement along the z-axis and the need to calculate derivatives y' and x' in relation to the angles theta and phi.
  • There is a suggestion that the change in total distance cancels out when calculating ratios, leading to simpler expressions for y' and x'.
  • Participants express differing views on whether to calculate derivatives or just ratios, with some asserting that the energy of the particles does not affect the ratios.
  • Clarifications are made regarding the roles of theta and phi in the context of the particle's trajectory and the local s-axis.
  • Some participants indicate that the discussion could benefit from references to beam dynamics literature, although specific references are not provided.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on the necessity of calculating derivatives versus ratios, and there is no consensus on the best approach to take. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specifics of the transformation and the implications of the particle's energy.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the transformation and calculations depend on the assumptions made about the particle's motion and the reference frame used. There are unresolved aspects regarding the mathematical steps and the definitions of the variables involved.

Alkass
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Hello

I have this problem - From a generator, I get a compton scattering with the electrons theta and phi angles.
where I having the following equations for a particle

px = E_particle * sin (theta) * cos (phi);
py = E_particle * sin (theta) * sin (phi);
pz = E_particle * cos (theta);

where polar angle θ (theta), and azimuthal angle φ (phi). So, I am trying to build some kind of spherical-Cartesian transformation, as I need to have y'=dx/dy and x'=dz/dx in order to build the transfer matrix for beam dynamics (ie transport of the beam inside a magnet following thin lens approximation)

Would that be possible to have such transformation ?

Thanks

Alex
 
Last edited:
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Alkass said:
Hello

I have this problem - From a generator, I get a compton scattering with the electrons theta and phi angles.
where I having the following equations for a particle

px = E_particle * sin (theta) * cos (phi);
py = E_particle * sin (theta) * sin (phi);
pz = E_particle * cos (theta);

where polar angle θ (theta), and azimuthal angle φ (phi). So, I am trying to build some kind of spherical-Cartesian transformation, as I need to have y'=dx/dy and x'=dx/d in order to build the transfer matrix for beam dynamics (ie transport of the beam inside a magnet following thin lens approximation)

Would that be possible to have such transformation ?

Thanks

Alex

Are you trying to express spherical coordinates in terms of the Cartesian coordinates? This is found in many sources.

For example http://mathworld.wolfram.com/SphericalCoordinates.html
 
Well, maybe I am missing something - The movement of the particles is along the z-axis (ie the reference obrit) and I need to calculate the y' = ds/dy and x'=ds/dx - So, the y' is actually the theta angle, but the phi angle accounts for the angle in the X-Y plane, while I would need the x' = the angle on the X-Z plane meaning I need the roll angle about the local s-axis...
 
Alkass said:
Well, maybe I am missing something - The movement of the particles is along the z-axis (ie the reference obrit) and I need to calculate the y' = ds/dy and x'=ds/dx - So, the y' is actually the theta angle, but the phi angle accounts for the angle in the X-Y plane, while I would need the x' = the angle on the X-Z plane meaning I need the roll angle about the local s-axis...

This is entirely derivable in terms of the angles. You are trying to calculate the ratio between the change in y (or x ) to the change in z. Since you are keeping the direction constant, the angles don't change and the change in the total distance (\Delta r) cancels out. Use the relation between the coordinates given in the link to take the ratio and get the results.
 
ofirg said:
This is entirely derivable in terms of the angles. You are trying to calculate the ratio between the change in y (or x ) to the change in z. Since you are keeping the direction constant, the angles don't change and the change in the total distance (Δr\Delta r) cancels out. Use the relation between the coordinates given in the link to take the ratio and get the results.


I guess you mean relation (95) ? And what happens to the dr ? for me I am starting with some energy / px, py,pz instead...
 
Alkass said:
I guess you mean relation (95) ? And what happens to the dr ? for me I am starting with some energy / px, py,pz instead...

The energy doesn't matter here. You have particles moving in some direction (\theta,\phi) and want to calculate \frac{dx}{dz},\frac{dy}{dz}(or you can use s instead of z). Relation 95 is much more complicated than what you need since in your case (\Delta \theta,\Delta \phi) are zero. From relations 4,5,6 you can get (\Delta x, \Delta y, \Delta z) for (\Delta \theta = 0,\Delta \phi = 0). \Delta r cancels out in the ratio and you get want your looking for. Notice that in the formulas in this link the roles of \theta and \phi are switched.
 
Alkass said:
y' = ds/dy and x'=ds/dx
I would expect that to be y'=dy/ds and x'=dx/ds.
With s=z (to a very good approximation outside magnets if I remember correctly), this is y'=dy/ds=py/pz.
The energy cancels in this ratio.
 
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ofirg said:
The energy doesn't matter here. You have particles moving in some direction (\theta,\phi) and want to calculate \frac{dx}{dz},\frac{dy}{dz}(or you can use s instead of z). Relation 95 is much more complicated than what you need since in your case (\Delta \theta,\Delta \phi) are zero. From relations 4,5,6 you can get (\Delta x, \Delta y, \Delta z) for (\Delta \theta = 0,\Delta \phi = 0). \Delta r cancels out in the ratio and you get want your looking for. Notice that in the formulas in this link the roles of \theta and \phi are switched.

So, then I guess I need to calculate the actual derivative *not* just the ratio, right ?
 
mfb said:
I would expect that to be y'=dy/ds and x'=dx/ds.
With s=z (to a very good approximation outside magnets if I remember correctly), this is y'=dy/ds=py/pz.
The energy cancels in this ratio.

Yes, that is correct ie y'=dy/ds and x'=dx/ds as you care about the change of y/x on the direction of the movement ;-) So, when you say "outside of magnets" what do you mean ? and what about x' ? is there a similar approximation (and any reference would be great!)

Thanks bunch!
 
  • #10
Alkass said:
So, then I guess I need to calculate the actual derivative *not* just the ratio, right ?

Since the ratio is constant it is the same.
 
  • #11
Alkass said:
So, when you say "outside of magnets" what do you mean ?
(Dipole) magnets give a changing z-direction with s which is ugly, but should not matter as your compton scattering happens at a single point anyway.

Alkass said:
and what about x' ?
Same as for y', of course.
Simple algebra, nothing you would find in a reference I guess. Books of beam dynamics should cover that somewhere.
 

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