ABSTRACT

Introduction to the Fast Multipole Method introduces the reader to the theory and computer implementation of the Fast Multipole Method. It covers the topics of Laplace’s equation, spherical harmonics, angular momentum, the Wigner matrix, the addition theorem for solid harmonics, and lattice sums for periodic boundary conditions, along with providing a complete, self-contained explanation of the math of the method, so that anyone having an undergraduate grasp of calculus should be able to follow the material presented. The authors derive the Fast Multipole Method from first principles and systematically construct the theory connecting all the parts.

Key Features

  • Introduces each topic from first principles
  • Derives every equation presented, and explains each step in its derivation
  • Builds the necessary theory in order to understand, develop, and use the method
  • Describes the conversion from theory to computer implementation
  • Guides through code optimization and parallelization

chapter 1|25 pages

Legendre Polynomials

chapter 2|23 pages

Associated Legendre Functions

chapter 3|20 pages

Spherical Harmonics

chapter 4|37 pages

Angular Momentum

chapter 5|38 pages

Wigner Matrix

chapter 6|30 pages

Clebsch-Gordan Coefficients

chapter 7|11 pages

Recurrence Relations for Wigner Matrix

chapter 8|25 pages

Solid Harmonics

chapter 9|10 pages

Electrostatic Force

chapter 10|26 pages

Scaling of Solid Harmonics

chapter 11|23 pages

Scaling of Multipole Translations

chapter 12|27 pages

Fast Multipole Method

chapter 13|21 pages

Multipole Translations along the z-Axis

chapter 14|36 pages

Rotation of Coordinate System

chapter 15|13 pages

Rotation-Based Multipole Translations

chapter 16|32 pages

Periodic Boundary Conditions