Abstract. A classical problem of free-space Green's function G_0Λ representations of the Helmholtz equation is studied in various quasi-periodic cases, i.e., when an underlying periodicity is imposed in less dimensions than is the dimension of an embedding space. Exponentially convergent series for the free-space quasi-periodic G_0Λ and for the expansion coefficients D_L of G_0Λ in the basis of regular (cylindrical in two dimensions and spherical in three dimension (3D)) waves, or lattice sums, are reviewed and new results for the case of a one-dimensional (1D) periodicity in 3D are derived. From a mathematical point of view, a derivation of exponentially convergent representations for Schlömilch series of cylindrical and spherical Hankel functions of any integer order is accomplished. Exponentially convergent series for G_0Λ and lattice sums D_L hold for any value of the Bloch momentum and allow G_0Λ to be efficiently evaluated also in the periodicity plane. The quasi-periodic Green's functions of the Laplace equation are obtained from the corresponding representations of G_0Λ of the Helmholtz equation by taking the limit of the wave vector magnitude going to zero. The derivation of relevant results in the case of a 1D periodicity in 3D highlights the common part which is universally applicable to any of remaining quasi-periodic cases. The results obtained can be useful for the numerical solution of boundary integral equations for potential flows in fluid mechanics, remote sensing of periodic surfaces, periodic gratings, and infinite arrays of resonators coupled to a waveguide, in many contexts of simulating systems of charged particles, in molecular dynamics, for the description of quasi-periodic arrays of point interactions in quantum mechanics, and in various ab initio first-principle multiple-scattering theories for the analysis of diffraction of classical and quantum waves.

PACS numbers: 02.70.Pt, 03.65.Db, 03.65.Nk, 34.20.−b, 42.25.Fx, 46.40.Cd, 47.15.km, 61.14.Hg

Print publication: Issue 36 (8 September 2006)
Received 3 February 2006, in final form 26 July 2006
Published 18 August 2006