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Quadrupole vs Octopole - What's the difference?

quadrupole | octopole | Related terms |

Octopole is a related term of quadrupole.



In physics terms the difference between quadrupole and octopole

is that quadrupole is a magnet with two north poles and two south poles, used to focus a beam of particles while octopole is any configuration or analysis having eightfold symmetry.

quadrupole

Noun

(en noun)
  • (physics) A distribution of either electric charge or magnetization equivalent to two dipoles that point in opposite directions.
  • * 1975 , David M. Cook, The Theory of the Electromagnetic Field , page 123,
  • Consider a linear quadrupole consisting of a point charge of strength 2q'' at the origin and point charges of strength —''q'' at (0, 0, ''a'') and (0, 0, —''a ).
  • (physics) A magnet with two north poles and two south poles, used to focus a beam of particles.
  • See also

    * quadripole

    octopole

    English

    Alternative forms

    *octupole

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (physics) A multipole configuration with eight equal charges arranged in a circular pattern.
  • (physics) Any configuration or analysis having eightfold symmetry.