Current dipole (${\mathbf{J}}^p(\mathbf{r})=\mathbf{Q}\delta (\mathbf{r}-{\mathbf{r}}_0)$)

A current dipole idealizes a localized impressed electric current density by the displayed Dirac delta function distribution. Its moment $\mathbf{Q}$ has units of current times length. In a homogeneous volume conductor of conductivity $\sigma$, its primary electric potential is $\Psi (\mathbf{r};{\mathbf{r}}_0)=\mathbf{Q}\cdot (\mathbf{r}-{\mathbf{r}}_0)/(4\pi \sigma |\mathbf{r}-{\mathbf{r}}_0{|}^3)$.

A radial current dipole has moment parallel to its displacement from the sphere centre. The Sarvas formula gives identically zero exterior magnetic field for such a source in a spherical volume conductor model, although its electric potential need not vanish. This is a nonuniqueness mechanism for the inverse problem in magnetoencephalography.