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Poisson Kernel Disk Extension

Turn boundary waves into an interior harmonic field using positive kernel weights.

Free theory article

Turn boundary waves into an interior harmonic field using positive kernel weights.

Concept & interpretation

The Poisson kernel solves the Dirichlet problem for the unit disk. Given a continuous function on the boundary circle, it provides the unique harmonic extension into the interior. The kernel weights boundary values using a geometric formulation, acting as a continuous analogue of a weighted average where closer boundary points receive exponentially greater influence.

Experiment

Open the Poisson Kernel Disk Extension explorer to visualize the weighting and extension:

  1. Set Mode n to 2 and Radius fraction to 0.5, keeping Angle degrees at 30. Observe the harmonic value of 0.125, confirming our worked example.
  2. Change the Radius fraction to 0. Notice the kernel peak becomes 1.0, making the weighting uniform, and the harmonic value drops to 0 (unless Mode n=0, where it is 1).
  3. Set the Radius fraction to 1. Observe that the kernel peak becomes "Unavailable" as it approaches the continuous boundary limit, acting like a Dirac delta point mass.
  4. Modify Mode n to 0. The boundary function becomes a constant 1, and the harmonic extension uniformly equals 1 regardless of radius.
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