English

A converse to generalized Runcorn's theorem

Mathematical Physics 2026-07-20 v1

Abstract

We study an inverse problem for generalized Runcorn's theorem motivated by an apparent paradox of lunar magnetism. In mathematical terms, we characterize square-integrable complex functions ff such that {xRn:axb}f(x)u(x)v(x)dV(x)=0 \int_{\{ x\in\mathbb{R}^n : a \leq |x| \leq b \}} f(x) \nabla u(x)\cdot\nabla v(x)\,\mathrm{d}\mathrm{V}(x) = 0 for every complex harmonic function uu in the inner ball x<r+|x|<r_+ and every complex harmonic function vv in the exterior region x>r|x|>r_- that vanishes at infinity. The solution space depends on whether the radii aa and bb such that r<a<b<r+r_-<a<b<r_+ are regarded as varying or fixed. The solutions are described through the expansion of ff into spherical harmonics, and explicit representations are provided.

Cite

@article{arxiv.2607.18379,
  title  = {A converse to generalized Runcorn's theorem},
  author = {Vjekoslav Kovač and Ivica Smolić},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2607.18379},
  year   = {2026}
}

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16 pages