1
$\begingroup$

The following are the integral solutions of the potentials, obtained from the retarded potentials (by a Fourier transform):

$$\mathbf A (\mathbf r) = \frac{\mu_0}{4\pi}\int_V \frac{\mathbf J (\mathbf r')e^{-jk|\mathbf r -\mathbf r'|}}{|\mathbf r - \mathbf r'|}\, \mathrm{d}^3\mathbf r'\,$$

$$\Phi (\mathbf r) = \frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0}\int_V \frac{\rho (\mathbf r')e^{-jk|\mathbf r -\mathbf r'|}}{|\mathbf r - \mathbf r'|}\, \mathrm{d}^3\mathbf r'\,$$

I want to see if they satisfy the Lorenz gauge condition:

$$\nabla\cdot\mathbf{A} + j\omega \epsilon_0 \mu_0\Phi = 0$$

After taking the divergence of $\mathbf A$ using the formula for $\nabla. (\psi \mathbf A)=\nabla \psi. \mathbf A+ \psi \nabla. \mathbf A $, I can't proceed further because additional integrals appear and also the divergence of the primed $\mathbf J(\mathbf r')$ is zero (doesn't act on the primed coordinates).

I know that I must use the continuity equation somewhere but can't go any further.

$\endgroup$
2
  • $\begingroup$ It seems your expression for the scalar potential is incorrect. On the left you have a scalar and on the right a vector. Shouldn't you replace the current density by the charge density. Then the gauge condition would be satisfied. $\endgroup$
    – Urgje
    Commented Feb 28, 2016 at 10:58
  • $\begingroup$ Oops, that was a typo. corrected. Can you show how? $\endgroup$
    – user215721
    Commented Feb 28, 2016 at 14:04

1 Answer 1

2
$\begingroup$

Given your description, you've probably done the following already: \begin{align*} \nabla \cdot \mathbf A &= \frac{\mu_0}{4\pi}\int_V \nabla \cdot \left[ \mathbf J (\mathbf r') \frac{e^{-jk|\mathbf r -\mathbf r'|}}{|\mathbf r - \mathbf r'|} \right] \, \mathrm{d}^3\mathbf r' \\&= \frac{\mu_0}{4\pi}\int_V \mathbf J (\mathbf r') \cdot \nabla \left[ \frac{e^{-jk|\mathbf r -\mathbf r'|}}{|\mathbf r - \mathbf r'|} \right] \, \mathrm{d}^3\mathbf r' \end{align*} But since the quantity in square brackets only depends on the difference $\mathbf r -\mathbf r'$, we have $$ \nabla \left[ \frac{e^{-jk|\mathbf r -\mathbf r'|}}{|\mathbf r - \mathbf r'|} \right] = - \nabla' \left[ \frac{e^{-jk|\mathbf r -\mathbf r'|}}{|\mathbf r - \mathbf r'|} \right], $$ where $\nabla'$ now denotes the gradient with respect to $\mathbf{r'}$. If you substitute this in and do an integration by parts, you'll get two terms. One of them (after applying the continuity equation) will be equal to $-i \omega c^2 \Phi$, while the other will be an integral over the boundary of the volume you're looking at. Assuming that our volume $V$ contains all of the current sources, the boundary term will vanish, and the Lorenz condition follows.

$\endgroup$

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.