The multiple multipole method in electro- and magnetostatic problems

Abstract

We describe a semi-analytical method which may be applied to solve problems where either the Laplace or the Helmholtz equations are involved. The core of the MMP method is a general and very flexible multipole expansion of regular solutions of the Laplace or Helmholtz equations which allows the use of simple and inexpensive numerical techniques even in cases with complicated boundaries. After the theoretical description of the MMP method we will report about our experience using this method implemented in a computer program for the calculation of two-dimensional electro- and magnetostatic problems.