Using symmetry to generate solutions to the Helmholtz equation inside an equilateral triangle

Abstract

We prove that every solution of the Helmholtz equation within an equilateral triangle, which obeys the Dirichlet conditions on the boundary, is a member of one of four symmetry classes. We then show how solutions with different symmetries, or different energies, can be generated from any given solution using symmetry operators or a differential operator derived from symmetry considerations. Our method also provides a novel way of generating the ground state solution (that is, the solution with the lowest energy). Finally, we establish a correspondence between solutions in the equilateral and (30,60, 90) triangles.