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Fundamental Solution (Green’s Function)

1828
  • George Green
George Green working on the fundamental solution in a historical office setting, mathematical physics.

(generated image for illustration only)

A fundamental solution of a linear partial differential operator \(L\) is a solution to the equation \(Lu = delta(x)\), where \(delta(x)\) is the Dirac delta function. It represents the response of the system to a point source or impulse. Once known, the solution to the inhomogeneous equation \(Lu = f(x)\) can be found by convolution: \(u(x) = (G * f)(x)\), where \(G\) is the fundamental solution.

The concept of a fundamental solution, often closely related to a Green’s function, is a powerful tool for solving inhomogeneous linear PDEs. The Dirac delta function \(delta(x)\) is a generalized function representing an idealized point source of infinite density and unit total mass, concentrated at \(x=0\). The fundamental solution \(G(x)\) is therefore the effect or field generated by this single point source.

The power of this method comes from the superposition principle, which applies to linear equations. Any general source term \(f(x)\) can be thought of as a sum (or integral) of infinitely many weighted point sources. The total solution \(u(x)\) is then the superposition of the responses to each of these point sources. This superposition is mathematically expressed by the convolution integral \(u(x) = int G(x-y)f(y) dy\). This transforms the problem of solving a PDE into the problem of finding the fundamental solution and then performing an integration.

For example, the fundamental solution for the Laplace operator in three dimensions (\(L = nabla^2\)) is \(G(vec{r}) = -frac{1}{4pi|vec{r}|}\), which is the form of the electrostatic or gravitational potential from a point charge or mass. The fundamental solution for the heat equation is the ‘heat kernel’, a Gaussian function that spreads out over time. Green’s functions are closely related but are tailored to specific domains and boundary conditions, often constructed from the fundamental solution.

UNESCO Nomenclature: 1208
– Mathematical physics

Type

Abstract System

Disruption

Foundational

Usage

Widespread Use

Precursors

  • superposition principle for linear equations
  • potential theory of laplace and poisson
  • fourier analysis and convolution theorem
  • dirac’s formulation of the delta function

Applications

  • electromagnetism for calculating fields from charge distributions
  • quantum field theory for calculating propagators
  • structural engineering for determining the response of a structure to a point load
  • acoustics for modeling sound from a point source
  • image processing for deblurring (deconvolution)

Patents:

NA

Potential Innovations Ideas

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Related to: fundamental solution, green’s function, dirac delta, point source, convolution, linear pde, potential theory, propagator.

Historical Context

Fundamental Solution (Green’s Function)

1805
1822
1822
1828
1848
1850
1854
1799
1812
1822
1827
1829
1850
1854
1854

(if date is unknown or not relevant, e.g. "fluid mechanics", a rounded estimation of its notable emergence is provided)

Related Invention, Innovation & Technical Principles

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