Nonparaxial TM and TE beams in free space

Abstract

Expressions for the fields of TM and TE laser beams in free space that are rigorous solutions to Maxwell's equations are given in a closed form. The electric and the magnetic fields are both expressed in terms of nonparaxial elegant Laguerre-Gaussian beams that are exact solutions of the Helmholtz equation. These solutions involve well-known functions, such as spherical Bessel and associated Legendre functions. Radially and azimuthally polarized beams of arbitrary order are considered, and the lowest-order radially polarized beam (TM(01) beam) is investigated in detail.