Hertz vector

Hertz vectors, or the Hertz vector potentials, are an alternative formulation of the electromagnetic potentials. They are most often introduced in electromagnetic theory textbooks as practice problems for students to solve. There are multiple cases where they have a practical use, including antennas and waveguides. Though they are sometimes used in such practice problems, they are still rarely mentioned in most electromagnetic theory courses, and when they are they are often not practiced in a manner that demonstrates when they may be useful or provide a simpler method to solving a problem than more commonly practiced methods.
Overview.
Hertz vectors can be advantageous when solving for the electric and magnetic fields in certain scenarios, as they provide an alternative way to define the scalar potential formula_1 and the vector potential formula_2 which are used to find the fields as is commonly done.
Considering cases of electric and magnetic polarization separately for simplicity, each can be defined in terms of the scalar and vector potentials which then allows for the electric and magnetic fields to be found. For cases of just electric polarization the following relations are used.
And for cases of solely magnetic polarization they are defined as:
To apply these, the polarizations need to be defined so that the form of the Hertz vectors can be obtained. Considering the case of simple electric polarization provides the path to finding this form via the wave equation. Assuming the space is uniform and non-conducting, and the charge and current distributions are given by formula_3, define a vector formula_4 such that formula_5 and formula_6. Using these to solve for the formula_7 vectors is similar to how the auxiliary fields formula_8 and formula_9 can be found, however here the Hertz vectors treat the electric and magnetic polarizations as sources. The Hertz vector potentials from these sources, formula_10 for the electric Hertz potential, and formula_11 for the magnetic Hertz potential can be derived using the wave equation for each.
This is simply done by applying the d'Alembert operator formula_12 to both vectors, keeping in mind that formula_13, and the result is non-zero due to the polarizations that are present. This provides a direct pathway between easily determined properties such as current density formula_14 to fields via the Hertz vectors and their relations to the scalar and vector potentials. These wave equations yield the following solutions for the Hertz vectors:
Where formula_15 and formula_16 should be evaluated at the retarded time formula_17. The electric and magnetic fields can then be found using the Hertz vectors. For simplicity in observing the relationship between polarization, the Hertz vectors, and the fields, only one source of polarization (electric or magnetic) will be considered at a time. In the absence of any magnetic polarization, the formula_10 vector is used to find the fields as follows:
Similarly, in the case of only magnetic polarization being present, the fields are determined via the previously stated relations to the scalar and vector potentials.
For the case of both electric and magnetic polarization being present, the fields become 
Examples.
Oscillating dipole.
Consider a one dimensional, uniformly oscillating current. The current is aligned along the "z"-axis in some length of conducting material "l" with an oscillation frequency formula_19. We will define the polarization vector 
Where "t" is evaluated at the retarded time formula_20. Inserting this into the electric Hertz vector equation knowing that the length "l" is small and the polarization is in one dimension it can be approximated in spherical coordinates as follows
\left[\cos\left(\theta\right)\mathbf{\hat{r}}-\sin\left(\theta\right)\mathbf{\hat{\theta}}\right]
Continuing directly to taking the divergence quickly becomes messy due to the formula_21 denominator. This is readily resolved by using Legendre Polynomials for expanding a formula_22 potential:
P_l\left(\cos \gamma\right)
It is important to note that in the above equation, formula_23 and formula_24 are vectors, while formula_25 and formula_26 are the lengths of those vectors. formula_27 is the angle between the vectors formula_23 and formula_24. The Hertz vector is now written as follows.
Taking the divergence
P_l\left(\cos \gamma\right)
Then the gradient of the result
Finally finding the second partial with respect to time
Allows for finding the electric field
Simulation.
Using the appropriate conversions to cartesian coordinates, this field can be simulated in a 3D grid. Viewing the X-Y plane at the origin shows the two-lobed field in one plane we expect from a dipole, and it oscillates in time. The image below shows the shape of this field and how the polarity reverses in time due to the cosine term, however it does not currently show the amplitude change due to the time varying strength of the current. Regardless, its shape alone shows the effectiveness of using the electric Hertz vector in this scenario. This approach is significantly more straightforward than finding the electric field in terms of charges within the infinitely thin wire, especially as they vary with time. This is just one of several examples of when the use of Hertz vectors is advantageous compared to more common methods.
Current loop.
Consider a small loop of area formula_30 carrying a time varying current formula_31. With current flow, a magnetic field perpendicular to the direction of flow as a result of the right hand rule will be present. Due to this field being generated in a loop, it is expected that the field would look similar to that of an electric dipole. This can be proven quickly using Hertz vectors. First the magnetic polarization is determined by its relation to magnetic moment formula_32. The magnetic moment of a current loop is defined as formula_33, so if the loop lies in the x-y plane and has the previously defined time-varying current, the magnetic moment is formula_34. Inserting this into formula_35, and then into Equation (), the magnetic Hertz vector is found in a simple form.
As in the electric dipole example, the Legendre polynomials can be used to simplify the derivatives necessary to obtain formula_36 and formula_37. The electric field is then found through
Due to the dependence on formula_25, it is significantly simpler to express the Hertz vector in spherical coordinates by transforming from the sole formula_39 component vector to the formula_40 and formula_41 components.
P_l\left(\cos \gamma\right)\left[\cos\left(\theta\right)\mathbf{\hat{r}}-\sin\left(\theta\right)\mathbf{\hat{\theta}}\right]\right)
Simulation.
This field was simulated using Python by converting the spherical component to x and y components. The result is as expected. Due to the changing current, there is a time dependent magnetic field which induces an electric field. Due to the shape, the field appears as if it were a dipole.