Time-dependent fields of a current-carrying wire

TL;DR

This paper analyzes the electric and magnetic fields of an infinite wire with a suddenly turned-on current using Jefimenko's equations, highlighting complex aspects of the resulting fields.

Contribution

It provides a detailed solution for time-dependent fields of a current-carrying wire using Jefimenko's equations, emphasizing nontrivial features.

Findings

Explicit expressions for electric and magnetic fields after current turn-on

Discussion of nontrivial aspects of the fields

Insights into transient electromagnetic phenomena

Abstract

The electric and magnetic fields of an infinite straight wire carrying a steady current which is turned on abruptly are determined using Jefimenko's equations, starting from the standard assumption that the wire is electrically neutral in its rest frame. Some nontrivial aspects of the solution are discussed in detail.