Conical coordinates, sometimes called sphero-conal or sphero-conical coordinates, are a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system consisting of concentric spheres (described by their radius r) and by two families of perpendicular elliptic cones, aligned along the z- and x-axes, respectively. The intersection between one of the cones and the sphere forms a spherical conic.

Coordinate surfaces of the conical coordinates. The constants b and c were chosen as 1 and 2, respectively. The red sphere represents r = 2, the blue elliptic cone aligned with the vertical z-axis represents μ=cosh(1) and the yellow elliptic cone aligned with the (green) x-axis corresponds to ν2 = 2/3. The three surfaces intersect at the point P (shown as a black sphere) with Cartesian coordinates roughly (1.26, -0.78, 1.34). The elliptic cones intersect the sphere in spherical conics.

Basic definitions

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The conical coordinates   are defined by

 
 
 

with the following limitations on the coordinates

 

Surfaces of constant r are spheres of that radius centered on the origin

 

whereas surfaces of constant   and   are mutually perpendicular cones

 

and

 

In this coordinate system, both Laplace's equation and the Helmholtz equation are separable.

Scale factors

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The scale factor for the radius r is one (hr = 1), as in spherical coordinates. The scale factors for the two conical coordinates are

 

and

 

References

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Bibliography

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  • Morse PM, Feshbach H (1953). Methods of Theoretical Physics, Part I. New York: McGraw-Hill. p. 659. ISBN 0-07-043316-X. LCCN 52011515.
  • Margenau H, Murphy GM (1956). The Mathematics of Physics and Chemistry. New York: D. van Nostrand. pp. 183–184. LCCN 55010911.
  • Korn GA, Korn TM (1961). Mathematical Handbook for Scientists and Engineers. New York: McGraw-Hill. p. 179. LCCN 59014456. ASIN B0000CKZX7.
  • Sauer R, Szabó I (1967). Mathematische Hilfsmittel des Ingenieurs. New York: Springer Verlag. pp. 991–100. LCCN 67025285.
  • Arfken G (1970). Mathematical Methods for Physicists (2nd ed.). Orlando, FL: Academic Press. pp. 118–119. ASIN B000MBRNX4.
  • Moon P, Spencer DE (1988). "Conical Coordinates (r, θ, λ)". Field Theory Handbook, Including Coordinate Systems, Differential Equations, and Their Solutions (corrected 2nd ed., 3rd print ed.). New York: Springer-Verlag. pp. 37–40 (Table 1.09). ISBN 978-0-387-18430-2.
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