Carl Neumann's contributions to electrodynamics (Q1890480)

In many mathematical physics publications, one finds the name Neumann quoted like for: Neumann principle, Neumann functions, Neumann potential, Neumann series, and so on, without any further indication of the sources. This gives rise to an ambiguity because one has to distinguish between Carl Gottfried Neumann (considered in the paper in question) and his father Franz Ernst Neumann. Both have worked on mathematical functions and contributed to electrodynamics in a period when laws and principles had still to be worked out. Many more scientist were involved in this effort, like Helmholtz, Hertz, Maxwell, Weber, Ampère, Biot and Savart. Their struggle and mutual interactions are nicely reported in relation with Carl Neumann's own contributions. In particular, the difference between the mathematical physics approach of Carl Neumann and the theoretical physics point of view adopted by Herman Helmholtz is pointed out in detail. The distinction between mathematical physics and theoretical physics is subtle, but relevant. Primary for Carl Neumann is an axiomatic approach, where physical principles are formulated in a mathematical way, allowing to deduce in a logical way the experimental facts. For Helmholtz the goal is to explain experimental results theoretically. Mathematics is used as a language but not as a model for theoretical physics. In the case of electrodynamics, the theoretical physics approach has been the more fruitful one. The mathematical physics stressed by Carl Neumann enhanced the mutual interaction between mathematics and physics.