What Are the Applications of Associated Legendre Functions?

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Associated Legendre functions are crucial in solving partial differential equations, particularly in contexts involving spherical coordinates and the Riemann sphere. They are commonly applied in physics, especially in the analysis of electric and magnetic field evolution. The discussion highlights their utility in visualizing certain physical phenomena, although not all PDEs can be represented in this framework. Additionally, there is curiosity about the integration of Associated Legendre functions with other functions over the real line, suggesting a need for clarity on their broader applications. Overall, these functions play a significant role in mathematical physics and complex analysis.
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Hello:

What are Associated Legendre functions? What are they good for in terms of applications?
 
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I think it's used in solving partial differentials in a Riemann (complex) sphere, though not all pde's relating to physics can be visualized in a Riemann sphere... few actually.

But some can, like the evolution of the electric and magnetic fields!


('I think' being operative here, someone with more experiences with this could answer more clearly and probably more correctly)
 
ok. In what time of application or simply why would we multiply Associated Legendre with another function and then integrate over the real line?
 
Assume that this is a case where by sheer coincidence, two sources of coherent single-frequency EM wave pulses with equal duration are both fired in opposing directions, with both carrying the same frequency and amplitude and orientation. These two waves meet head-on while moving in opposing directions, and their phases are precisely offset by 180 degrees so that each trough of one wave meets with the crest of the other. This should be true for both the electric and magnetic components of...
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