Magnetic vector potential

In classical electromagnetism, magnetic vector potential (often called A) is the vector quantity defined so that its curl is equal to the magnetic field: . Together with the electric potential φ, the magnetic vector potential can be used to specify the electric field E as well. Therefore, many equations of electromagnetism can be written either in terms of the fields E and B, or equivalently in terms of the potentials φ and A. In more advanced theories such as quantum mechanics, most equations use potentials rather than fields.

Magnetic vector potential was first introduced by Franz Ernst Neumann and Wilhelm Eduard Weber in 1845 and in 1846, respectively. William Thomson also introduced vector potential in 1847, along with the formula relating it to the magnetic field.[1][2]

  1. ^ Neumann, Franz Ernst (January 1, 1846). "Allgemeine Gesetze Der Inducirten Elektrischen Ströme (General laws of induced electrical currents)". Annalen der Physik. 143 (11): 31–34. doi:10.1002/andp.18461430103.
  2. ^ Yang, ChenNing (2014). "The conceptual origins of Maxwell's equations and gauge theory". Physics Today. 67 (11): 45–51. Bibcode:2014PhT....67k..45Y. doi:10.1063/PT.3.2585.