Dipole images in conducting-particle chains

When a chain of conducting spheres is exposed to a uniform electric field, the spheres are polarized and a dipole moment is induced in each of them. D ue to the mutual interaction of the spheres, the dipole moment depends on t he configuration and size of the chain. Here the image charge method is emp loyed, and the effects of such mutual interaction are considered by analyzi ng the higher-order image dipoles and image charges induced in the spheres. Closed form expressions for chains containing 2 and 3 spheres are derived. The results are compared with previous calculations of a fractal model. Go od agreement is obtained. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.