Explicit calculation of the solution to Backus' problem with a condition for uniqueness (Q2367606)

\textit{G. E. Backus} [Q. J. Mech. Appl. Math. 21, 195-221 (1968; Zbl 0159.406)] studied the problem of determining the magnetic potential of the earth (treated as a ball) at exterior points from knowledge of its intensity at the surface. Let \(\Omega\) denote the complement of the closed unit ball in \(\mathbb{R}^ 3\). Backus' problem leads to the problem of determining a function \(u\in C^ 1(\overline\Omega)\), harmonic on \(\Omega\), such that \(u(x)\to 0\) as \(x\to\infty\) and the norm of the gradient of \(u\) takes prescribed values on \(\partial\Omega\). In general the solution is not unique. The authors show however that two solutions \(u,v\) must be equal if they satisfy a further boundary condition, namely that \(u(x)=v(x)\) at all points \(x\) of \(\partial\Omega\) at which the normal derivative of \(u+v\) vanishes. The discussion of the uniqueness question gives rise to the related problem of determining functions \(\varphi\), \(\psi\in C^ 1(\overline\Omega)\), harmonic on \(\Omega\), vanishing at \(\infty\), such that the scalar product of their gradients vanishes on \(\partial\Omega\). An explicit series solution for \(\psi\) is found in the case where \(\varphi\) is given in polar coordinates by \(\varphi(r,\theta,\eta)=r^{- 2}\cos\theta\).