Some Applications of the Lambert W Function to Physics

Authors

S. R. Valluri, The University of Western Ontario
D. J. Jeffrey, The University of Western Ontario
R. M. Corless, The University of Western Ontario

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-2000

Journal

Canadian Journal of Physics

Volume

78

Issue

9

First Page

823

Last Page

831

URL with Digital Object Identifier

http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/p00-065

Abstract

Two standard physics problems are solved in terms of the Lambert W  function, to show the applicability of this recently defined function to physics. Other applications of the function are cited, but not described. The problems solved concern Wien's displacement law and the fringing fields of a capacitor, the latter problem being representative of some problems solved using conformal transformations. The physical content of the solutions remains unchanged, but they gain a new elegance and convenience.