1984•American Journal of PhysicsRequires access

Helmholtz theorem for antisymmetric second-rank tensor fields and electromagnetism with magnetic monopoles

Donald H. Kobe

Open publisher page 18 citations

Abstract

A generalized Helmholtz’s theorem is proved, which states that an antisymmetric second-rank tensor field in 3+1 dimensional space-time, which vanishes at spatial infinity, is determined by its divergence and the divergence of its dual. When the divergence of the antisymmetric electromagnetic field strength tensor is equal to the electric charge-current density and the divergence of the dual of the electromagnetic field strength tensor is equal to the magnetic charge-current density, the equations of electromagnetism are obtained. As a convenience, in the solution of the equations of electromagnetism two different four-vector potentials can be used, one of which couples to the electric charge-current density and the other to the magnetic charge-current density.

About this research paper

What this paper is about

A generalized Helmholtz’s theorem is proved, which states that an antisymmetric second-rank tensor field in 3+1 dimensional space-time, which vanishes at spatial infinity, is determined by its divergence and the divergence of its dual. When the divergence of the antisymmetric electromagnetic field strength tensor is equal to the electric charge-current density and the divergence of the dual of the electromagnetic field strength tensor is equal to the magnetic charge-current density, the equations of electromagnetism are obtained. As a convenience, in the solution of the equations of electromagnetism two different four-vector potentials can be used, one of which couples to the electric charge-current density and the other to the magnetic charge-current density.

Why it matters

OpenAlex reports 18 citations for this work. Citation counts describe recorded attention and do not establish research quality.

Key contribution

A contribution statement is not available in the OpenAlex record.

Method / approach

Method details are not available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Main findings

Findings are not separately available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Limitations

Limitations are not available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Applications

Application details are not available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Available abstract

A generalized Helmholtz’s theorem is proved, which states that an antisymmetric second-rank tensor field in 3+1 dimensional space-time, which vanishes at spatial infinity, is determined by its divergence and the divergence of its dual. When the divergence of the antisymmetric electromagnetic field strength tensor is equal to the electric charge-current density and the divergence of the dual of the electromagnetic field strength tensor is equal to the magnetic charge-current density, the equations of electromagnetism are obtained. As a convenience, in the solution of the equations of electromagnetism two different four-vector potentials can be used, one of which couples to the electric charge-current density and the other to the magnetic charge-current density.

Key concepts: Physics, Antisymmetric tensor, Electromagnetism, Electromagnetic tensor, Quantum electrodynamics, Tensor (intrinsic definition), Maxwell stress tensor, Classical mechanics

Related papers

Back to paper searchBrowse research topicsOriginal source
Helmholtz theorem for antisymmetric second-rank tensor fields and electromagnetism with magnetic monopoles — Research Paper | ScholarLens