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The Magnetic Vector Potential

The magnetic vector potential A(r) is defined such that the curl of A(r) is equal to the magnetic flux density B(r). To uniquely specify the magnetic vector potential, its divergence is defined to be zero. With this gauge condition, Ampere's law can be written in terms of the Laplacian of A(r) being equal to the magnetic current density J(r). The magnetostatic equations are then expressed in terms of the magnetic vector potential A(r) and its curl and divergence.

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744 views5 pages

The Magnetic Vector Potential

The magnetic vector potential A(r) is defined such that the curl of A(r) is equal to the magnetic flux density B(r). To uniquely specify the magnetic vector potential, its divergence is defined to be zero. With this gauge condition, Ampere's law can be written in terms of the Laplacian of A(r) being equal to the magnetic current density J(r). The magnetostatic equations are then expressed in terms of the magnetic vector potential A(r) and its curl and divergence.

Uploaded by

Imraans
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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11/8/2005

The Magnetic Vector Potential.doc

1/5

The Magnetic Vector Potential


From the magnetic form of Gausss Law B ( r ) = 0 , it is evident that the magnetic flux density B ( r ) is a solenoidal vector field. Recall that a solenoidal field is the curl of some other vector field, e.g.,: B ( r ) = xA ( r ) Q: The magnetic flux density B ( r ) is the curl of what

vector field ??
A: The magnetic vector potential A ( r ) ! The curl of the magnetic vector potential A ( r ) is equal to the magnetic flux density B ( r ) :

xA ( r ) = B ( r )

where:

Jim Stiles

The Univ. of Kansas

Dept. of EECS

11/8/2005

The Magnetic Vector Potential.doc

2/5

magnetic vector potential

A (r )

Webers meter

Vector field A ( r ) is called the magnetic vector potential because of its analogous function to the electric scalar potential V ( r ) . An electric field can be determined by taking the gradient of the electric potential, just as the magnetic flux density can be determined by taking the curl of the magnetic potential:
E ( r ) = V ( r ) B ( r ) = xA ( r )

Yikes! We have a big problem! There are actually (infinitely) many vector fields A ( r ) whose curl will equal an arbitrary magnetic flux density B ( r ) . In other words, given some vector field B ( r ) , the solution A ( r ) to the differential equation xA ( r ) = B ( r ) is not unique ! But of course, we knew this! To completely (i.e., uniquely) specify a vector field, we need to specify both its divergence and its curl.

Jim Stiles

The Univ. of Kansas

Dept. of EECS

11/8/2005

The Magnetic Vector Potential.doc

3/5

Well, we know the curl of the magnetic vector potential A ( r ) is equal to magnetic flux density B ( r ) . But, what is the divergence of A ( r ) equal to ? I.E.,:
A ( r ) = ???

By answering this question, we are essentially defining A ( r ) . Lets define it in so that it makes our computations

easier!

To accomplish this, we first start by writing Amperes Law in terms of magnetic vector potential:
x B ( r ) = x x A ( r ) = 0 J ( r )

We recall from section 2-6 that:


x x A ( r ) = ( A ( r ) ) 2 A ( r )

Thus, we can simplify this statement if we decide that the divergence of the magnetic vector potential is equal to zero:

A (r ) = 0

We call this the gauge equation for magnetic vector potential. Note the magnetic vector potential A ( r ) is therefore also a solenoidal vector field.
Jim Stiles The Univ. of Kansas Dept. of EECS

11/8/2005

The Magnetic Vector Potential.doc

4/5

As a result of this gauge equation, we find:


x x A ( r ) = ( A ( r ) ) 2 A ( r ) = 2A ( r )

And thus Amperes Law becomes:

xB ( r ) = 2A ( r ) = 0 J ( r )

Note the Laplacian operator 2 is the vector Laplacian, as it operates on vector field A ( r ) . Summarizing, we find the magnetostatic equations in terms of magnetic vector potential A ( r ) are:

xA ( r ) = B ( r ) 2A ( r ) = 0 J ( r ) A (r ) = 0

Note that the magnetic form of Gausss equation results in the equation xA ( r ) = 0 . Why dont we include this equation in the above list?

Jim Stiles

The Univ. of Kansas

Dept. of EECS

11/8/2005

The Magnetic Vector Potential.doc

5/5

Compare the magnetostatic equations using the magnetic vector potential A ( r ) to the electrostatic equations using the electric scalar potential V ( r ) :

V ( r ) = E ( r ) 2 ( r ) = V

v ( r ) 0

Hopefully, you see that the two potentials A ( r ) and V ( r ) are in many ways analogous. For example, we know that we can determine a static field E ( r ) or indirectly by first finding potential V ( r ) and then taking its

created by sources v ( r ) either directly (from Coulombs Law),

derivative (i.e., E ( r ) = V ( r ) ).

Likewise, the magnetostatic equations above say that we can determine a static field B ( r ) created by sources J ( r ) either taking its derivative (i.e., xA ( r ) = B ( r ) ). directly, or indirectly by first finding potential A ( r ) and then

v ( r )
J (r

V (r

) E (r )

) A (r ) B (r )

Jim Stiles

The Univ. of Kansas

Dept. of EECS

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