1
$\begingroup$

In the Coulomb gauge, we can write the electromagnetic Hamiltonian as

\begin{equation} \label{eq:em-hamiltonian}\tag{1} H_\mathrm{EM} = - \int d^3 x \, \mathbf{j}(\mathbf{x}) \cdot \mathbf{A}(\mathbf{x}) + \frac{1}{2} \int d^3 x \, d^3 x' \, \frac{\rho(\mathbf{x}) \rho(\mathbf{x}')}{4\pi \vert \mathbf{x} - \mathbf{x}' \vert}, \end{equation} where $\mathbf{j}(\mathbf{x})$ is a current density, $\mathbf{A}(\mathbf{x})$ is the vector current, and $\rho(\mathbf{x})$ is a charge density.

For a magnetic dipole in a uniform magnetic field, we can write the interaction Hamiltonian as $$ \label{eq:dipole-hamiltonian}\tag{2} H_\mathrm{dipole} = - \mathbf{\mu}\cdot\mathbf{B} $$ where we can express the dipole moment $\mathbf{\mu}$ in terms of the current density via $$ \mathbf{\mu} = \frac{1}{2} \int_{\mathbb{R}^3} d^3 x \, \mathbf{x} \times \mathbf{j}(\vec{x}). $$

How can we recover \eqref{eq:dipole-hamiltonian} from \eqref{eq:em-hamiltonian}? We know that $\mathbf{B}(\mathbf{x}) = \mathbf{\nabla} \times \mathbf{A}(\mathbf{x})$, and can assume that $\mathbf{j}(\mathbf{x})$ is localized in space.

$\endgroup$

1 Answer 1

1
$\begingroup$

Start with the (particular choice) of $\mathbf{A}(\mathbf{x})$ for a uniform field, $$ \mathbf{A}(\mathbf{x}) = -\frac{1}{2} \mathbf{x} \times \mathbf{B}, $$ and set $\rho(\mathbf{x}) = 0$. Then $H_\mathrm{EM}$ reduces to $$ H_\mathrm{EM} = \frac{1}{2} \int d^3 x \, \mathbf{j}(\mathbf{x}) \cdot \big( \mathbf{x} \times \mathbf{B} \big). $$ Using the scalar triple-product identity $\mathbf{a} \cdot (\mathbf{b} \times \mathbf{c}) = - (\mathbf{b} \times \mathbf{a}) \cdot \mathbf{c}$, we can rewrite $H_\mathrm{EM}$ as $$ H_\mathrm{EM} = -\frac{1}{2} \int d^3 x \, \big( \mathbf{x} \times \mathbf{j}(\mathbf{x}) \big) \cdot \mathbf{B}. $$ Because $\mathbf{B}$ is independent of $\mathbf{x}$, we can pull it out of the integration, writing $$ H_\mathrm{EM} = -\left(\frac{1}{2} \int d^3 x \, \mathbf{x} \times \mathbf{j}(\mathbf{x}) \right) \cdot \mathbf{B}. $$ We then recognize the term inside the brackets as $\mathbf{\mu}$, and recover $$ H_\mathrm{EM} = - \mathbf{\mu} \cdot \mathbf{B} = H_\mathrm{dipole}. $$

$\endgroup$

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.