Three-dimensional Accelerating Electromagnetic Waves

TL;DR

This paper develops a comprehensive theory for three-dimensional nonparaxial electromagnetic waves that accelerate along curved paths, enabling the design of novel shape-invariant beams with potential applications.

Contribution

It introduces a general classification and characterization of 3D accelerating electromagnetic waves based on their angular spectra, expanding the understanding of their structures.

Findings

Classification of possible beam shapes using spheroidal fields

Shape-invariant propagation along semicircular trajectories

Facilitation of designing novel accelerating beams

Abstract

We present a general theory of three-dimensional nonparaxial spatially-accelerating waves of the Maxwell equations. These waves constitute a two-dimensional structure exhibiting shape-invariant propagation along semicircular trajectories. We provide classification and characterization of possible shapes of such beams, expressed through the angular spectra of parabolic, oblate and prolate spheroidal fields. Our results facilitate the design of accelerating beams with novel structures, broadening scope and potential applications of accelerating beams.