3.

Method of Images

Method of images replaces the original boundary by appropriate image charges in lieu of a formal solution of Poisson!s or Laplace!s equation so that the original problem is greatly simplied. The basic principle of the method of images is the uniqueness theorem. As long as (1) the solution satises Poisson!s or Laplace!s equation and (2) the solution satises the given boundary condition, the simplest solution should be taken. Point charge over grounded plane conductor By direct solution By method of images

V ( x, y , z ) =

Q 4$% 0 x 2 + ( y " d ) 2 + z 2

1 4$% 0

#s ds ! R 1 S

where R1 is the distance from ds to the point under consideration and S is the surface of the entire conducting plane.

V ( x, y , z ) =

Q 1 1 ( ! ) 4"# 0 R+ R!

Only valid in the region of y > 0.

Lesson 1113

Basic Electromagnetics, Dept. of Elec. Eng., The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prof. K.-L. Wu / Prof. Th. Blu

3.5

Method of Images

Example A positive point charge Q is located at distances d1 and d2, respectively, from two grounded perpendicular conducting half-planes, as shown in the gure. Determine the force on Q caused by the charges induced on the planes.

Basic Electromagnetics, Dept. of Elec. Eng., The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prof. K.-L. Wu / Prof. Th. Blu

Lesson 1113

3.5
Line Charge And Parallel Conducting Cylinder

Method of Images

Let!s take a trial solution (an intelligent guess) that

!i = " ! l

#l E = ar (V / m ) 2!" 0 r ! The electric potential at a distance r from a line charge of density l can be obtained by
We have found that the E eld generated by a line charge is integrating the electric eld intensity E

1 # # r V = $ % Er dr = $ l % dr = l ln 0 2!" 0 r0 r 2!" 0 r r0
Note that the reference point for zero potential, r0, cannot be at innity. Let us leave r0 unspecied for the time being.
Basic Electromagnetics, Dept. of Elec. Eng., The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prof. K.-L. Wu / Prof. Th. Blu Lesson 1113

3.5
The potential at a point on or outside the cylindrical surface is obtained by adding the contributions of ! l and !i . In particular, at a point M on the cylindrical surface, we have

Method of Images

VM =

#l r # r # r ln 0 $ l ln 0 = l ln i 2!" 0 r 2!" 0 ri 2!" 0 r

We have simplied the solution by considering the r0 is so large that the distance of the reference point to ! l and !i is negligible.

ri = Constant Equipotential surfaces are specied by r OPi OM iM Therefore, triangles OMPi and OPM similar. We have P = = PM OM OP r d a i or = i = = Constant r a d 2 From the above equation we see that if d i = a / d the image line charge " ! l, together with ! l , will make the dashed cylindrical surface in the gure equipotential. As the point M
changes its location on the dashed circle, both ri and r will change; but their ratio remains a constant that equals a/d.
Basic Electromagnetics, Dept. of Elec. Eng., The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prof. K.-L. Wu / Prof. Th. Blu Lesson 1113

3.5
Two Parallel Conducting Cylinders of The Same Radius

Method of Images

Since and

VM =

#l r ln i 2!" 0 r

ri d i a = = r a d
V2 =

We have

#l a ln 2!" 0 d

and

V1 = $

#l a ln 2!" 0 d

The capacitance per unit length is

C=

#l !" 0 = V1 $ V2 ln(d / a )
d = 1 / 2( D + D 2 ! 4 a 2 )

where

a2 d = D ! di = D ! d
C=

from which we obtain

Consequently,

"# 0
ln[( D / 2a ) + ( D / 2a ) 2 ! 1]

"# 0 ( F / m) !1 cosh ( D / 2a )
Lesson 1113

Basic Electromagnetics, Dept. of Elec. Eng., The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prof. K.-L. Wu / Prof. Th. Blu

3.5

Method of Images

Two Parallel Conducting Cylinders of The Same Radius (cont.)

Basic Electromagnetics, Dept. of Elec. Eng., The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prof. K.-L. Wu / Prof. Th. Blu

Lesson 1113

3.6

Method of Separation of Variables

We now develop a method for solving 3-D problems where the boundaries, over which the potential or its normal derivative is specied, coincide with the coordinate surfaces of an orthogonal, curvilinear coordinate system. In such cases, the solution can be expressed as a product of three one-dimensional functions, each depending separately on one coordinate variable only, The procedure is called the method of separation of variables.

Classications of boundary-value problems:

Dirichlet problems, in which the value of the potential is specied everywhere on the boundaries; Neumann problems, in which the normal derivative of the potential is specied everywhere on the boundaries; Mixed boundary-value problems, in which the potential is specied over some boundaries and the normal derivative of the potential is specied over the remaining ones.

Basic Electromagnetics, Dept. of Elec. Eng., The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prof. K.-L. Wu / Prof. Th. Blu

Lesson 1113

3.6

Method of Separation of Variables

Let!s investigate Laplace!s equation for scalar electric potential V in Cartesian coordinates system rst: 2 2 2

!V !V !V + 2 + 2 =0 2 !z !x !y

To apply the method of separation of variables, we assume Therefore, That is

V ( x, y , z ) = X ( x )Y ( y ) Z ( z )

d 2 X ( x) d 2Y ( y ) d 2Z ( z) Y ( y)Z ( z) + X ( x)Z ( z) + X ( x )Y ( y ) =0 dz 2 dx 2 dy 2 1 d 2 X ( x) 1 d 2Y ( y ) 1 d 2Z ( z) + + =0 2 2 2 X ( x ) dx Y ( y ) dy Z ( z ) dz 1 d 2 X ( x) 2 = ! k , x 2 X ( x ) dx 1 d 2Y ( y ) 2 = ! k , y 2 Y ( y ) dy d 2Y ( y ) 2 + k Y ( y ) = 0, y 2 dy 1 d 2Z ( z) 2 = ! k z Z ( z ) dz 2

I order for the above equation to be satised for all values of x,y,z, we must have:

Consequently,

and

d 2 X ( x) 2 + k X ( x ) = 0, x 2 dx 2 2 kx + ky + k z2 = 0,

d 2Z ( z) 2 + k Z ( z) = 0 z 2 dz

Basic Electromagnetics, Dept. of Elec. Eng., The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prof. K.-L. Wu / Prof. Th. Blu

Lesson 1113

3.6

Method of Separation of Variables

Constant k and the function forms are determined by the given boundary conditions. For example, if the potential V approaches to 0 when x approaches to innite, the possible solution form is De ! kx with a positive real k.
Basic Electromagnetics, Dept. of Elec. Eng., The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prof. K.-L. Wu / Prof. Th. Blu Lesson 1113

3.6

Method of Separation of Variables

EXAMPLE Two grounded,semi-innite,parallel-plane electrodes are separated by a distance b.A third electrode perpendicular to and insulated from both is maintained at a constant potential V0. Determine the potential distribution in the region enclosed by the electrodes. Solution: With V independent of z, we have

V ( x, y, z ) = V ( x, y ),

Z ( z ) = B0

In the x-direction: V (0, y ) = V0 , V (!, y ) = 0 In the y-direction:

V ( x,0) = 0, V ( x, b) = 0

Since V (!, y ) = 0 , we choose X ( x) = D2 e ! kx , where k is a positive real number and

2 ky = "k x2 = k 2 ! k x = jk , k y = k

The boundary conditions in y-direction suggest that

Y ( y ) = A1 sin( ky )

An appropriate solution of the Laplace!s equation satisfying partial boundary conditions (namely, harmonic functions) is ! kx

Vn ( x, y ) = B0 D2 A1 e 123
Cn

sin( ky )

Basic Electromagnetics, Dept. of Elec. Eng., The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prof. K.-L. Wu / Prof. Th. Blu

Lesson 1113

3.6
Vn ( x, y ) = B0 D2 A1 e ! kx sin( ky ) 123
Cn

Method of Separation of Variables

The constant k is determined by the BC at y=b, that is

Vn ( x, b) = Cn e ! kx sin( kb) = 0

sin( kb) = 0

Therefore, the harmonic function becomes

k = n! / b, n = 1,2,3,... n! Vn ( x, y ) = Cn e " n!x / b sin( y) b

In order to satisfy the BC at x=0, we use the principle of linear superposition of Vn to nd the specic solution of the given BC:

V ( x, y ) = ! Vn ( x, y ) =! Cn e
n =1 n =1

"

"

# n$x / b

n$ sin( y) b

Vn (0, y ) = ! Cn sin(
n =1

"

n# y ) = V0 , b

0< y<b
m!

y) In order to evaluate the coefcients Cn , we multiply both sides of the equation by sin( b And integrate the products from y=0 to y=b:

n$ m$ m$ C sin( y ) sin( y ) dy = V sin( y )dy " n 0! ! 0 b b b n =1 0

# b
Basic Electromagnetics, Dept. of Elec. Eng., The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prof. K.-L. Wu / Prof. Th. Blu Lesson 1113

3.6
# b

Method of Separation of Variables

b

m$ m$ n$ C sin( y ) sin( y ) dy = V sin( y )dy " n 0! ! 0 b b b n =1 0

Basic Electromagnetics, Dept. of Elec. Eng., The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prof. K.-L. Wu / Prof. Th. Blu

Lesson 1113

3.6

Method of Separation of Variables

Method of separation of variables in Cylindrical coordinates

Basic Electromagnetics, Dept. of Elec. Eng., The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prof. K.-L. Wu / Prof. Th. Blu

Lesson 1113

3.6

Method of Separation of Variables

Basic Electromagnetics, Dept. of Elec. Eng., The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prof. K.-L. Wu / Prof. Th. Blu

Lesson 1113

3.6

Method of Separation of Variables

Basic Electromagnetics, Dept. of Elec. Eng., The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prof. K.-L. Wu / Prof. Th. Blu

Lesson 1113

3.6

Method of Separation of Variables

Basic Electromagnetics, Dept. of Elec. Eng., The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prof. K.-L. Wu / Prof. Th. Blu

Lesson 1113

3.6

Method of Separation of Variables

Basic Electromagnetics, Dept. of Elec. Eng., The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prof. K.-L. Wu / Prof. Th. Blu

Lesson 1113