Bipolar coordinates are a two-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system based on the Apollonian circles. There is also a third system, based on two poles (biangular coordinates). The term "bipolar" is further used on occasion to describe other curves having two singular points (foci), such as ellipses, hyperbolas, and Cassini ovals. However, the term bipolar coordinates is reserved for the coordinates described here, and never used for systems associated with those other curves, such as elliptic coordinates.

Definition

The system is based on two foci F1 and F2. Referring to the figure at right, the σ-coordinate of a point P equals the angle F1 P F2, and the τ-coordinate equals the natural logarithm of the ratio of the distances d1 and d2: If, in the Cartesian system, the foci are taken to lie at (−a, 0) and (a, 0), the coordinates of the point P are The coordinate τ ranges from -\infty (for points close to F1) to \infty (for points close to F2). The coordinate σ is only defined modulo 2π, and is best taken to range from -π to π, by taking it as the negative of the acute angle F1 P F2 if P is in the lower half plane.

Proof that coordinate system is orthogonal

The equations for x and y can be combined to give or This equation shows that σ and τ are the real and imaginary parts of an analytic function of x+iy (with logarithmic branch points at the foci), which in turn proves (by appeal to the general theory of conformal mapping) (the Cauchy-Riemann equations) that these particular curves of σ and τ intersect at right angles, i.e., it is an orthogonal coordinate system.

Curves of constant σ and τ

The curves of constant σ correspond to non-concentric circles that intersect at the two foci. The centers of the constant-σ circles lie on the y-axis at with radius. Circles of positive σ are centered above the x-axis, whereas those of negative σ lie below the axis. As the magnitude |σ|- π/2 decreases, the radius of the circles decreases and the center approaches the origin (0, 0), which is reached when |σ| = π/2. (From elementary geometry, all triangles on a circle with 2 vertices on opposite ends of a diameter are right triangles.) The curves of constant \tau are non-intersecting circles of different radii that surround the foci but again are not concentric. The centers of the constant-τ circles lie on the x-axis at a \coth\tau with radius. The circles of positive τ lie in the right-hand side of the plane (x > 0), whereas the circles of negative τ lie in the left-hand side of the plane (x < 0). The τ = 0 curve corresponds to the y-axis (x = 0). As the magnitude of τ increases, the radius of the circles decreases and their centers approach the foci.

Inverse relations

The passage from the Cartesian coordinates towards the bipolar coordinates can be done via the following formulas: and The coordinates also have the identities: and which can derived by solving Eq. (1) and (2) for \cot \sigma and \coth\tau, respectively.

Scale factors

To obtain the scale factors for bipolar coordinates, we take the differential of the equation for x + iy, which gives Multiplying this equation with its complex conjugate yields Employing the trigonometric identities for products of sines and cosines, we obtain from which it follows that Hence the scale factors for σ and τ are equal, and given by Many results now follow in quick succession from the general formulae for orthogonal coordinates. Thus, the infinitesimal area element equals and the Laplacian is given by Expressions for \nabla f,, and can be expressed obtained by substituting the scale factors into the general formulae found in orthogonal coordinates.

Applications

The classic applications of bipolar coordinates are in solving partial differential equations, e.g., Laplace's equation or the Helmholtz equation, for which bipolar coordinates allow a separation of variables. An example is the electric field surrounding two parallel cylindrical conductors with unequal diameters.

Extension to 3-dimensions

Bipolar coordinates form the basis for several sets of three-dimensional orthogonal coordinates.