From Concentric Halbach Rings to Tetraplex Cuts – Examine 540 Dipole Clusters with a Single Python Animation

The dipole-dipole interaction is a substantial part of the force that holds matter together. Since the electric and magnetic dipole-dipole interactions are mathematically equivalent, this fundamental interaction can be experimentally examined with magnetic spheres. For a numerical investigation the software package “dipole_clusters.py” allows an interactive examination of

• the dipole arrangement,
• the field,
• and the interaction

of more than 500 of such clusters.

Version 1.2.0  adds a starting condition for the orientation of the dipoles by turning them with respect to their location. In the case of rings, this leads to the Halbach configuration. Moreover, three-dimensional cuts of the four-dimensional tetraplex are now added to the list of Platonic solids.