A converse to generalized Runcorn's theorem

Abstract

We study an inverse problem for generalized Runcorn&#39;s theorem motivated by an apparent paradox of lunar magnetism. In mathematical terms, we characterize square-integrable complex functions $f$ such that $$ \int_{\{ x\in\mathbb{R}^n : a \leq |x| \leq b \}} f(x) \nabla u(x)\cdot\nabla v(x)\,\mathrm{d}\mathrm{V}(x) = 0 $$ for every complex harmonic function $u$ in the inner ball $|x|<r_+$ and every complex harmonic function $v$ in the exterior region $|x|>r_-$ that vanishes at infinity. The solution space depends on whether the radii $a$ and $b$ such that $r_-<a<b<r_+$ are regarded as varying or fixed. The solutions are described through the expansion of $f$ into spherical harmonics, and explicit representations are provided.