243

pp. 243-252

Spinor formalism for waveguides

*

Pierre HILLION
Solange QUINNEZ

**

Abstract

The authors first prove that there exists a close

relationship between the spinor fields and the electro
magnetic transverse fields TE, TM. Then the spinor
formalism is applied to the waveguide theory and
explicit formulae are given for waveguides with rectan
gular or circular cross section. An interesting feature
of the spinor formalism is to require only two compo
nents.

4.
6.

Circular waveguides.
Attenuation in waveguides.
Conclusions.
Appendix.
References (13 ref.).

5.

1.

Key words: Spinor, Waveguide, Electromagnetism, Electro

magnetic wave, TE mode, TM mode, Rectangular waveguide,
Circular waveguide, Propagation mode, Attenuation.

INTRODUCTION

recently
developped
[1, 2] a spinor formalism
withWe
the
following
properties.
The
two
component
complex
spinor
'Y(x,
is
a
solution of the wave equation :
t)

FORMALISME SPINORIEL
POUR GUIDES D'ONDES

Analyse

t)

() j, ()t,

l
the
time
variable.
We
use
the
summation
convention
a1 ()1 =
a2 ()2
a3 ()3 , x is an arbitrary
point
in
conjugate: spinor 'Y+(x, is a solution
ofThe
the Hermitian
adjoint equation
a1 ()1 +
R3.

(1')

Spineur, Guide onde, Electromagm:tisme, Onde

electromagnetique, Mode TE, Mode TM, Guide onde rectangulaire'
Guide onde circulaire, Mode propagation, Affaiblissement.

'Y+(x, t)

t)

(alj t ) =
+

1.

Introduction.
Spinor field and TM, TE electromagnetic waves.
Rectangular waveguides.

2.
3.
*

**

O.

that wethe getderivative

operator actsequation
on 'Y+.
Frommeans
(I), (1'),
the conservation
()l Six, ()t I(x,
(2)
From
use the(2),international
units, sonowthaton,in weequation
one has : system of
(2') Sj (x, 'Y+(x, aj 'Y(x,
S

t) +

Contents

0,

where
is thematrices
refractivewhile
index, the denote
velocitytheof light,
avatives
j the Pauli
with respect to the space variables X andderito
n

Les auteurs demontrent d'abord l'existence d'une

relation etroite entre les champs spinoriels et les champs
electromagnetiques transverses TE, TM. Puis Ie forma
lisme spinoriel est applique a la tMorie des guides
d'ondes. Des formules explicites sont obtenues pour
des guides cylindriques a section rectangulaire et
circulaire. Une particularite interessante du forma
lisme spinoriel est de n'exiger que deux composantes.
Mots cles

(aj ()j ()t ) 'Y(x, =

(1)

t)

t)

t) = 0.

t),

I(x, t) = n 'Y+(x, t) 'Y(x, t).

Institut Henri Poincare, 75231 Paris.

Faculte des Sciences, Mirande, 21000 Dijon.

1/10

ANN. TELllcOMMUN., 40, nO 5-6, 1985

244
energyfield.flow and l(x, t) the energy
Six, t)of isthethespinor
density
Moreover one has:
(2")
I(x, t) nI S(x, t)l.
Using
Si
x , and I( x , t) makes possible to compute
power
flowbeamP crossing
the surfaces
transverse
tothe
the
spinor
and
the
field
energy
U
per unit
length of the beam :
(3)
P = A Sj(x,
where
(j = 1, 2, 3) are the components of the normal
to the surface
and
(3')
U = A I x, t) da,
sodirection
that theofvelocity
ofis energyP/U.propagation in the
Sex,
cases whenbeam,
considering
theidentify
propagation
ofInan many
electromagnetic
one
may
SiU,xare
,
with
the
Poynting
vector
so
that
I(
x
,
P,
respectively
the field.
intensity,
theconsider
powerheredensity
of the
electromagnetic
We
a
different
situation
and
we
shall
prove
that
for
the
transverse
electromagneticbetween
waves the andcomponents
there exists a closeof
relationship
l' of the
the
field'Y
and
the
components
spinor
electromagnetic
fietheld. spinor formalism to the theory
We
then
apply
of rectangular
andU ascircular
waveguides
and we shall
show
that
P
and
given
by
(
3
),
(
3
')
represent
to a
multiplicative
constant
the
power
flow
and
the
energy
density
waveguides. Basic facts about spinors
are givenin these
in Appendix

P. HlLLION. - SPINOR FORMALISM FOR WAVEGUIDES

(7)

= k2

Hx

vj

t)

Vg

Vg =

t)

t),

TE

TM

h,
E j , Hj ,

-i
k2 _ 2 ( bxEz + (l) byHz),

-i
Hy = k2 _ 2 (l)e: bxEz + byHz),

t)

t) da,

(l)e: byEz - bxHz),

Ex

vi

i
_

-i
Ey = k2 _ :i ( byEz - (l) bxHz),

that we may write :

(8)

(l)e: (Ex + iEy) + i (Hx + iHy) = -(bx + iby) Hz

(Ex + iEy) + i(l) (Hx + iHy) = ( bx + iby) Ez .

i
InForthese
relations,
denotes= thesodielectric
constant.
a
wave,
one
has
that
from
the first
equation we get:
e:

TM

(8),

0,

Hz

Ex + iEy = -iZTM(Hx + iHy), ZTM = / (l)e:,

(9)

while the second equation becomes:

(8')

(bx + Iby) EzCx, y) - (l)

k2 _ 2
k2

(HxCx , y) + i Hy(x , y

= 0,

which
is
exactly
the
second
equation
(
6
)
with
the
identification :
l(X,
i(l) k
y) = Ez(x , y), hex , y) = k 2 ( - )

(9')

(H x(x , y) + i Hy(x , y) ) .

Now
multiplying
both sides of
and using
the
equation
= give:
Eix, y)

(bx

(8')
2

+ by

by

(bx - iby)
k2
2)
_

1.

which
becomes
the first
equation
(6) with the between
identifi
cation
So
there
exists
a
close
relationship
TM, TE l, and
let us assume
imaginary, so that from
we get :
E , l(X,
Wedirection
considerOzan, soharmonic
fielook
ld propagating
alongof
=
1m
Re
the
that
we
for
solutions
equation in the form :
=
'Y( ,
'Y(x, t)
(4)
Then
one has :
matricesusing the following representation of the Pauli similarly for a lwave,
(X,
l = \ \, \ -\, \ I
=
Re
Equation (1) becomes with = (l)n
1m
_
(6)
=
E X,
E
Now with Eix, t)and= assuming Ei 1, the Maxwell
1 =
equations reduce to:
2.

2.1.

SPINOR FIELD AND

ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES

Cartesian coordinates.

(1)

z
= el(wt-i3 )

(9').
Ez(x , y)
Hx , Hy , Ez ;
q12
q1
real, then according to (7), Hx , Hy, Ex , Ey , are pure
(9), (9'),
p
(10 a)
y), iHix, y) =
z(x y) =
k_ X
(l)(
)
-p
hex , y) ,
k_
ix, y), Hy(x , y)
)
(l)(
Ex(x, y) + i Eix, y)

x y).

(10 b)

(5)

cr

cr2 =

cr3

k
0,
i( - ) hex, y) + (bx -iby) hex , y)
k
(bx + iby) hex , y) + i( + ) 2(X, y) = 0.
e1(wt-i3z)
x y), H/x , t)
z
tL =
= e 1(wt-i3 ) Hix , y)

ANN. TELlkoMMUN.,

40, no

5-6, 1985

TE
Hx(x, y) =

-iZTM(HxCx , y) +
iHix , y, ZTM = /(l)e:,
y),

k2
k
e: (l)( - )
-p
Ey(x , y) =
k
)
e: (l)(

-iEix , y)

h(x ,y),

hex , y),

i
HxCx , y) + i Hy(x , y) = z ( x(x, y) + i y(
TE
ZTE

y) ),

/(l)
2/10

245
As in the previous section, we consider solutions
For solutions
to such as the conservation equation (2) of equation (13) of the form :
reduces
'F(r,
'F(r, t )
(I
so that equation (13) becomes :
with according to (2') and
(I I ')
H2 Nl' S2 -i(H2-Nl) '
(16) i(k(b - bq 2(r, 0,
Ihl2 _ 1212
conjuga(3),
the superscript * denotes the complex
where
iq> ( b
0.
btp ) he i(k
from
get
we
Assuming
tion.
y
x
(3'), (1I ') :
to we may write the Maxwell
similarly
Now,
:
equations
(12) P :: Six, y) dx dy

P. HILLION. - SPINOR FORMALISM FOR WAVEGUIDES

(4),

5)

(11)

ei(wt-z)

cp),

(5) :

S1 =

S3 =

a,

Hl(r,cp) +e-iep

cp) =

)
+

r,cp) +

r+

z(r, cp)

(8),

U=

::
=

:: (I

WE (Elr,cp) + i Eep (r,cp + i(Hr(r, cp) + iHq>(r,cp

1 (x, y)12 -I hex, Y)12) dx dy,

I(x, y) dx dy

n :: (I1 (x, y)12 + 1 hex, Y)12) dx dy.

theory andFromlet theus

with Maxwell'squantities.
Let usP*nowU* start
corresponding
the
note
,
definition
once : vector and of the energy
density, weofgettheatPoynting
( I 2') p* :: ( x x y) H(x, y) - Eix, y)
(x, y dx dy,
1 Ca Cb (EIE(x, y)12 IH(x, Y)12) dx dy.
U* :2
Jo Jo
A for
Wewaves,shallAEprove
AP AE P
that ap*constant
for thatwavestheresuchexists
E C,

= -

TE

2.2.

),

TM

U* = AU (AEU).

Cylindrical coordinates.

In cylindrical coordinates the spinor equation is :

(13) (
bz ) 'F(r, t) 0,
z),
r
with the following representation of the Pauli matrices :
(13')
10 i 1' CIq> 1i0 iq> 1 11 1
soare that
: the components of the energy flow vector
CIr ()r +

CIep()ep + CI z

bt

= (r, cp,

CIr

(14)

eiq>

e- q>

- ie iq>

'

CIz =

= i (br + bep) Eir, cp),

which for a wave reduces to :

TM

and this leads to the identification

l(r, cp)

Sr(r, t ) = 'F+(r, t ) CIr 'F(r, t), Sq>(r, t ) = 'F+(r, t)

CIq> 'F( r t), Sir, t) = 'F+(r, t) CIz 'F(r, t),

,
while the energy conservation equation is
1- br(r SrCr, t - bq> Sq>(r, t)

(14')

3/10

1 '

1
+
r

EzCy, cp), e-itp (r, cp)

2
i(il
(k - ) (Hr(r, cp) + i Hep (r, cp) ) ,
=

k2

still assuming
(17
a)

Elr, cp)

real, we get

Eir, cp) = l(r, cp), iHr(r, cp)

-p

Re(e-iep 2 (r, cp,

(il(k - )
_ k2
- Hep (r, cp ) = l _ ) Im(e-iep (r, cp
2

(i (k
=

Hr(r,cp ) + i Eq> (r, cp) = -iZTM(Hlr, cp)+iHep(r, cp,

ZTM = M(i E

and similarly for a wave :

IjJl , <p),
TE

(17 b)

(r

Hz(r, cp) =

k2

Re ( - q>
k2
wEek _ ) 1m (

- i Elr, cp) = w
Eek
Eep (r, cp ) =

br + bq H z (r, cp),

(ErCr, cp) + i Eep(r, cp + i(il(Hlr, cp ) + i Hep(r, cp

e i 2 (r, cp,

e-itp 2 (r, cp,

Hr(r, cp) + i Hq> (r, cp) =

ZTE

(Er (r, cp ) + I. Eq> (r, cp,

1
-

ZTE

Assuming
( I8)

a,

l
= /(i

one obtains :

(21t(a
P=
o Jo Sir, cp ) r dr dcp ,
U=

:1t:

I(r, cp ) r r cp ,

dd

ANN.

TELllcOMMUN., 40, no

5-6, 1985

246
and from the Maxwell equations

P.

HILLION. - SPINOR FORMALISM FOR WAVEGUIDES

Substituting
(20)
into (6) gives four systems of equa
tions
for
the
pairs
z
p*=cz7t(a
such as
= 0,
(k0,
(k
= :7t :(.:1
which
haveisnonfulfilled
trivial: solutions only if the following
condition
shall see later (on,
one has also
inthethissamecase
z
p*Asas for=werectangular
o
r
with
(
2
waveguides.
and then one has :
(22)
AP, U* = A U

3.

A':P, A':U)

( I
Y

)1

y
+
YI +

P
,

RECTANGULAR WAVEGUIDES

<

(19)

b.

(11)

VI

C>z

( SI(X
VI
,

by

(SICa, -SI(O ,
b)

(19')

dx.

a,

b.

J x=o

(19), (19').

aleHI + ble -If} + clelq> +Id e- I'll

azelO + b e- iO + cze1q> + dze-1q>

0 YIX +
Y

(19)

We consider
ax waveguide
of rectangular
cross
section
with
0
0
y
and
the
boundary
surfaces
willtangential
be assumed
to be perfect
conductors
soon that
the
components
of
Sex,
y) are zero
the walls, that is :
Sz (x, y) = 0 for x = 0, x =
Sl (X, y) = 0 for y = 0, y =
Let
now integrate
in theus transverse
planesthe conservation
= const. equation
Using
the divergence
theoremtoandthe boundary
, Vz denoting
the
components
of
the
normal
sur
faces, we get :
:: Sz(x,y) dx dy = -:: ()xSl (x, y)
y) vzSz (x,y dl
Sz (x, y dx dy = -1
=::: y) y dy
::: (Sz {x, - Sz {x, 0) )
Since thereis zero,
is no which
loss, theimplies
left hand
relation
: side of the last
::: SI(X, y) dy = 0 for x 0, x=
cx=a Sz (x, y) dx = 0 for y = 0, y =
have to look
for the solutions of equation (16)
Sowithweboundary
conditions
Let us set :
(
)
(20) 'Y(x, y) =
z
with
(20') =
z y, = Ylx - Yz y.
< a,

From
it
is
clear
that
the
conditions
are
fulfi
lled ifbut1(from
X, y) (20),0(2is0'),zerowe onget the: boundary
surfaces,
I(X, y) (b1
d1)
= - Yz y for x 0,
y) =
= for y = 0,
so that the= 0condition 1 andy) 0 for x 0= 0, implies
1+ 1
that is
(23)
= = = = A/4,
where A is an arbitrary real scalar.
(20)Using
: (22), (23) together with (20'), we get from
(24 1(X, y) = A sin sin Yz y,
z (x, y) = k +A cos sin sin cos

toandbesubstituting
real) : (24 into gives ( is assumed
(25 SI(X, y) =- (kA ) sinz sin 2 Yz y,
sin 2 sinz
Sz (x,y) = (k
S (X,y) Azsmz sm.
z( cosz smz + z smz (kcos
The
fulfilledconditions
if one has :for X = y = b and are
(26)
=
where are arbitrary integers.
changing
intoOnelmay
= also=satisfy= l A/4bywhich
gives (2: 3)
(11'),

Fundamental modes.

<

( I+Y
Y2
i ) aZ
+
+ izy ) al
+) az =
) aI

2
ECr,qi +H
I (r,qi)jZ) r dr qi
d.

U*

3.1.

a
( I'az) ,(hI , b) , (ci , cz), (di , dz)

(
r )
E,r(,qi)H:C ,qi
Jo o
Eq>(r ,
qi)H:(r,
qi) ) r dr dqi ,

(18')

qi

ANN. TELllcOMMUN., 40, nO 5-6, 1985

I(X
,

e1q>o +al
(
+

+ IC )

qio

I (X
,

l
d

-1
C

bi

=a

bi + Cl =

= bi + d

a1

elOo + (bi + dI) e-IOo

00 YIX

(al + CI)

al + CI

e-1q>o

YIX

a)

YI X

(Y
i I

'(2

a)

AZ

YI

YIX

(19)

'(2Y)

'(I X

'(2

Y IX

+ Yl

'(IX

(11')

a)

zy y

Y2Y,

AZ
YIX ZYzy - + Z X
)
)
Y I X ZYzy
YzY Yz
a,

1
'( = m1t/a, ,(z

(19')

n1t/b,

m, n

bi

CI

(19), (19')
d
=

4/10

247

P. HILLION. - SPINOR FORMALISM FOR WAVEGUIDES

l(X, y) = cos X cos

sin cos +
2(X, y) = +
sin cos
A

(24
b)

Y2Y,

Yl

(-Yl
i
Y1X Y2Y
Y2

y x),
1

Y2Y

and :
cos sm
(2Sb) Sl(X, y) =
y) = + sin cos2
= cos2
+
sm Y1X cos + sm cos YIX,
Using
it isthenotconditions
difficult to check onarethese
last
expressions
that
fulfi
l
led.
The
solutions
of'Yequation
thatfunda
from
now
on
we
note
'Y
::'n x,
n
C
X
,
y)
are
the
mental
modeswithfor rectangular
propagation cross
of spinor
wavesUsingin
a waveguide
section.
together withof the (resp.(resp.
(res.usual expressions
gives
the
electromagnetic fields.
Now(ritesp.is easy to seealsothatsatisfies
the sumtheofconditions
two solutions From together with
andand the
we
get
at
once
for
the
power
flow
It is obviousbyfor y)since= thisontypetheofboundary
solution energy density of the spinor field
issurfaces.
characterized
For
one justsurfaces,
has to Z(noteX, that
while
=
(
X
,
y)
is
real
on
these
y)
is
real
l
+
for = x = and pure imaginary for =
=
=
+
So
we
may
consider
the
vector
spaces
of
the
sequen
Let us nowfor consider
the corresponding
quantities
ces :
the
electromagnetic
field.
According
to ( lOa) and
one has :
m,n
.
x y- y
Y +
m,n
sm YIX cos
where
C::'n , Cn are real constants. We equip these
vectorial spaces with the scalar product :
+
+
Ylcos Ylxsm
( (
('Y, :2 Jo Jo y) 'Y(x, y) +
sin2 sin2
y sin2Y1x cosz
'Y+(x, y) y) ) dx dy, and substituting these expressions into gives ,:
so that one has
(6)

A2
+ Y2
( k )
_ A2
Yl
( k )

Six,

2YIX ' Y2 ,
2Y
2 x
Y1

( 2'2
Yl

(19')
(27
a)

Y2Y,

1
y xcOS2Y2Y - k
(
2'2Y
2Y
Y
2Y
2Y
2

A2

i
S x,Y)

A2
x
)2
2
)

(19), (19')
(6)

(24
a), (24b)
( Y),

(10b) )

(10a)

(24
a)
(19').

[3]

(24b) )

(24 b),

4
( 2b)
)
TE)

(24
a)

TM

TM

lex,
(4'),

(24
b)

TM

3.2.

Y2Y

.2
Y2Y

Energy

Y1x

2'2Y2YCO2
S

(24
a), (24
b)

PTE

0,

A2ab
,
-2-k
UT M

PM' UM

( 27
a)

2Y ),
2Y

Y2Y

(12),

.2

flow.

(29b),

(30 ) PTM

(24
a),

TE

n A2

(29
a)
lex,
2
A n
(2
( k )2

0,

b.

(27 b)

lex,
n A2
(29b)
nA2
2'2
-- - - (
k( +)2

(19),

(24
a)
hex,

(19),

TE

(26),

and similar
expressions
forfunctions
I y, I;, which ends the
proof
that
the
'Y
mjx,
y)
define an ortho
normal
basis.
We pass over
theset mathematical
problem
of thewe
completness
of
the
of
fundamental
modes
and
conjecture
thatwiththe thespinorboundary
fields 'Y(conditions
x, y) satisfying
equationand with
finite
energy
have
the
expansions
or sincewith'Y::'Cnm(xn, y)= and
('Y, 'Ymn).
Moreover
'Yiuncoupled.
x, y) are ortho
gonal,
the
and
modes
are
We close thisy) section
by giving
thefields.
expressions
of the
intensity
for
the
and
Using
and we get :
y) = sin2YIX sin2 +
+ Ylcos Ylxsm + Y2 sm Y1xcos
y) = cos2 cos2 +
Ylsm Y1xcos Y2 Y +Y2 sm
YIX.

UTE

( 29a),

A2ab kn
-2-k

TM
(24
a),

fJ.WA2
.2
2S 1
* - PI-'_ 2 2 YICO
(2
EH* EHXy xsm
2Y
(
)
2
2
2Y ) ,
Y2
2Y
k2 2
.2
2
2
IE
Y2Y+
IHI2 = A2 k2 _ 2 2 [2
I
)
(

(27b)

(28)

<1

( <I>+( x,

(28')

('Y, <1

=n

(31a)

U.

Insinceeachaccording
space, the'Y
mn(x, y) functions
are orthogonal
to
and
the right
hand
side
of
is
a
sum
of
four
terms
Ixly, II;,
IIy, IxI; with :
(a ( ) sin (a ) dx
Ix = sin
2: Sm,m ,
jo
, (a ( ) cos (a ) dx = :2
Ix = cos
Sm,m ,
jo
(24b)

(20)

m'rrx
- a

mrrx

m'rrx
-a

mrrx

(28)

(24
a)

5/10

Y2Y

(12')
Z
P
W
A ab
-4- _ z' UM - - P z
p
4

AZab

P*TM =

one has according to and

cos YIX sm2 +
y- y x
sm YIX cos
y1xsm Y2Y+
+ = { +
sin2Y1X cos2Y y cos2 Y1X cos2 ,

wAz
x * EH* -- P_ Z Z Y
( 2z
EH
(
)

YzY

2Y )
2Y,

Z
Z
Yl

IEIZ

(10
b)

For :

Ph, Uh,
(24 b)

Y1x

Y2Y] +

<I>( x,

IHIZ

YI

A2

k2

2
2
[2
_
( P 2)2 Y2COS
z ] +

.2

Y2Y

ANN. TELIkoMMUN., 40, no

5-6, 1985

248
which gives
(37) 1);1 (r, cp) = A elnq> In(yr) n
A2ab- k _ 2
A2ab- k2w 2' = 1);1(r, cp) = A e-1 q> I); Jlyr)
(31 b) = 2
4 4
-iyA n+1 q> Jn+1(yr)
)=k
(r
't'
2
+
The
comparison
of
(30)
with
(31
a)
and
(31
b)
leads
to :
't'2(r ) = kiyA+ - n- q> Jn-1(yr)'
=
(34')gives
we need
= 2(k w_ ) . but
=
and tosin satisfy
ncp, which
: solutions with cos ncp
(37 a) 1);1(r, cp) = A cos ncp JnCyr)
Inhasanythe case,
the
velocity
of
energy
propagation
same expression :
iyA ( cos ncp J(yr)r,
=
cp)
he
k

+
dw
-k (33)
n - n2w - d ,
--;. sm ncp In(yr)) ,
which is the group velocity.
with
P.

Ph

ffiLLION. - SPINOR FORMALISM FOR WAVEGUIDES

Uh

.1.

(32) (PtM, UtM)

m
'T

__

.1.

A(PTM, UTM),
A(PTE, UTE),

(Ph, Uh)

e l(

m
'T

__

1(

1)

Vg

4.

4.1.

elq>

--

in .

CIRCULAR WAVEGUIDES

cp) = A sin ncp JnCyr),

I);z{r, cp) = -iyA
k (nr cos ncp JnCyr)i sin ncp J(yr) .
From (14),
now (37on, a),we weonlygetconsider
(13'),
: (37 a). Then using
(38) S,(r, cp) kA2y nr sm. 2 ncp J2n(yr),
Sq>(r,cp) = kA2y cos2ncp In(yr) In(, yr),
Sir cp) = A2 cos2 ncp J(yr) (kY:A;)2 (cos2ncp J2(yr) : sin2ncp J (yr) .
The condition (34) may be satisfied in two ways
(39 a)
Jiya) 0,
J(ya) = O.
(39 b)
the funda
The
solutions
(37for a)propagation
of equationof spinorare waves
mental
modes
ina),a
waveguide
with
circular
cross
section.
Using
(
1
7
(17the b) with(resp.(37 a) gives
the usual expressions
of
electromagnetic
fields
satisfying
(39 a) (resp. (39 b) ).
the lth root of JnCx) = 0 (resp. J(x) = 0)
Letwedenote
then
note
'Yl(r, cp) (resp. 'Yl(r, cp) ) the solutions
(37we consider
a) satisfying
(39 a) (spaces
resp. (39of b.
As previously,
the vector
the sequences
(40 a) 'Ya(r, cp) = n,l Cl 'Yl(r, cp),
(40 b) 'Yb(r, cp) = n,1 Cl 'Y,(r, cp),
1);1(r,

Fundamental modes.

We now
consider
a Still
waveguide
of losses
circularrequires
cross
section
with
r
a.
neglecting
0
that theboundary
tangentialiscomponent
drical
zero that ofis S(r,: cp) on the cylin
(34)
Sq>(a, cp) = 0,
while taking
(15)(14')
into account
vation
equation
: we get from the conser
21t
21t ra
()z Sz(r, cp) rdr dcp = -a Sr(a, cp) dcp,
.,0
0
whereleft wehandusedside theof thisdivergence
the
last relationtheorem
is zero,andwe since
get :
1t
C2) Sr(a, cp) dcp = O.
(34')
0
Sosatisfying
one hastheto boundary
look for theconditions
solutions (34),
of equation
(34').
Now
using
the
well
known
relations
between
the
Bessel functions of integer order :
(35)
<

and :
(37 b)

<

(16)

elq>

(16)

[3]

TM

TE)

easy to prove that provided the following condition

isit isfulfilled
2 y2
(3 )
the systemfor r of equations
bounded
:0 has two types of solutions
+

(16)

ANN. 'fELlkoMMUN., 40, nO

5-6, 1985

P,

6/10

249

P. HILLION. - SPINOR FORMALISM FOR WAVEGUIDES

with the scalar product :

( , <1
(41) 'F

= 2( 1t (Q <I>( + r(, (jl)'F(r, (jl)

j o Jo

d.
:

- 1)

x In(oex) In(x ) dx 2
( :x In(x)
d"( I X )
=2

oe

-JnC x)

\x

J oe( x)

-n2) J oe( x)

x = 22 (oe2 x2
oe

),

n(oe

(x :x JnCoe x) r

22

( cos2

n(jl J2 ( ry )

I l
E

+H
I 2/

(k l +l)l
( k l _2

= Al
+

;: sinn2(jl

[cosl

n(jl J l( ry )

] cos2

J; ( ry )

n(jl J( yr)

Substituting
integration onthese expressions into
(jl .
w A2
1t ( _ 2
P )

J ( yr

;: sinnl (jl

gives after

(18')

PM =
it is easy to prove the orthogonality relations
= for
;: )
: (
and for =
These relations
arehas obvious
forwith while
for
one
just
to
use
or
Herewithalsofinweite assume
that satisfying
any solutiontheofconditions
equation
;: )
> d
energy
and
hasthisthesection
expansion
or of the Both expressions are also computed in Appendix
We
end
with
the
expression
and we get:
intensity (jl) :
cosl
=
PM =
/;;1_
sin2
)
( cos2
UM
Itbyisdropping
easy to checkinthattheweprevious
go from expressions
waves to andwavesby
which
using ( y: ) instead of
into
Substituting
and
integrating
wi
t
h
respect to give for the power flow :
gives :
P=
P';E = 1 1
: d
(
)
:

('nF l(r,(jl), 'nF W(r,(jl

=n',

(4 2)

(16 )
(34), (34' )

(4a)
0

(Ir,

(4 3) (Ir,(jl)
n 2y Al
+k
( +)2

nA2

=1=n',

(39
a)

nl

+2

r dr

n', [ =1= I'.

Jl( ry )

(39 b).

;J ( ry )

( 4 0 b).

1t A2
2

r J;( yr) .

A
1t lal w
Jl ( ay ),
-2
2
A
1t 2al k lw
y ).
= --k2 _ 2 J2 ( a
2

(4a)
7

n(jl J ( yr)

TM

4.2.

Energy How.

1-

(18 )

(jl

A
1t 2

-( k

TE

(38 )

(4 4)

;J ( ry )

n(jl ;J ( ry )

n(jl J2 ( yr)

(4 6 )

=1=n'

TM

JnCoe x)

(4 2' )

>

(37
a),
WA2
E
H* -EH
rp : k2 _
r
2)2
(
(17
a)

<I>(r,(jl) ) r rd (jl
'+
F (r, (jl)

Using the following relations [4] (for

(4 2)

Let
consider thefield.corresponding expressions
forUsing
theus now
electromagnetic
and one has for the waves :

r J ( ry ) r

1t 2y Al
+ 2
)

Aa

(4 7 b)

(Q

n2
J( yr ) + J 2 ( yr) ,
r2

r rd

Jo

k2

UTE A2a2 k2
*

Jl( ay )

J;( ay )

_2

klw

_2

n2
1 -2 2
ya

2J ay ),
i

2In ( by )
.

( )
-

2y a2

the fieldofenergyandUa hasplusasignsimilar

expression
withsign The comparison of and shows that the
instead
of
minus
instead
relations
are still valid.
incomputed
front ofintheAppendix
second integral.
Both
P and U are
and we get for waves
C

c
(4a5 ) PTM = A
7t 2 a2 k + 'J

)
(ya ,

5.

kn

while for waves one has :

TE

(
+ (

c
(4 5b) PTE = A
7t 2a2 k +

7/10

= A1t 2a2

(47)

TM

1t 2a2 k
UTM = A
J2 ( ay ),
+

U TE

(45)

(32), (33)

kn

n2
1- 2 2
ya
n2
1- 2 2
ya

)
)

J ( ay ),
J2nCya) .

ATTENUATION IN WAVEGUIDES

Wepower
also loss
mayinusewaveguides
the spinorbutformalism
to estimate
the
since
computations
are very similar
to those
madegivein athesketch
frameofofthese
the
Maxwell
formalism,
we
only
calculations
forusual,the losses
case ofina rectangular
waveguide.
First,
as
the
dielectric
taken into account by substituting (0" may
wherebe
+iwe)

ANN. TEUkOMMUN., 40, nO

0"

5-6, 1985
2

2 50

P. HILLION. - SPINOR FORMALISM FOR WAVEGUIDES

denotes conductivity for iwe in the previous loss for

analysis. For a rectangular waveguide this leads to
change in equation (21) k2 into k ( l - icrw
/ e) so
that we get:

i k2(j
2+ 2
-'IlI k2 -Y2 \1- 2_ 2
, 2
(k
y )we Y -Y1 Y2,

assuming

I ; [
; )
(P

1 - 2(P

coefficient

)we

1,this gives

.jk2 - y2

I
)1 Z
valid for circular waveguides).
y

(this result is also

Let us now consider attenuation due to imperfectly

conducting boundaries.
We first note that according to (10 a), (10 b), one
has:
For TM waves

(48 a)

For TE waves :

(48 b)

2
IHI

I hl2

+ (k

Now, as well known, the losses

flow in the guide walls are :

(49)

= s 1 Iv

;\

)2 1 zlz,

due to the current

H(xW dl,

where Rs is the skin-effect surface resistance of the

guide walls (for a metal with permeability e'
Rs

(;;) )
112

, while the symbol

vector product.
So using (48) we get

(5a
0 )

WTM

and

(50 b)

WTE

R k2e

;\

denotes the

2(X, y)12dl ,
2(k "- )Z) 11

s l
l

WTM

)21

h(x,yW+ (k

R k2e Az
_
s
(kZ 2)2

2(x,Y)IZ) d/.

: yisin2Yzydy +:
nO

5-6, 1985

ySinZY1XdX '

k2eA2
( 2 b + Y2
a2 ,
)
Z
2 (k _ 2)2 Y1

Rs

ANN. TELljcOMMUN., 40,

WTE

= 2 A2 a[
Rs

+b +

( P - 2)2 2
(Y1 a + Y22b)
2e

which are the expressions supplied by the Maxwell

formalism. One has similar results with more intricated
formulae (still in agreement with usual formulae)
for circular waves guides.

6.

CONCLUSIONS

As well known (for an excellent discussion see [5]),

in a referential frame Lo with a coordinate axis in the
direction of propagation, any electromagnetic field
in a homogeneous isotropic medium in free space,
free from charges and currents can be expressed in
terms of two scalars. This result masks the fact that
these scalars are either a component of the electric
field plus a component of the magnetic field or a
component of the electric hertzian potential plus a
component of the magnetic hertzian potential. Then,
when one goes from Lo to an arbitrary referential
frame L, one must be careful to transform these
scalars as components of vectors. Or better told,
such an electromagnetic field has only two degrees
of freedom and this transformation from Lo to L
makes clear that the vector formalism of electro
magnetism has many more components as degrees
of freedom.
What we suggest here is to associate these degrees
of freedom to the components of a spinor field. On
one hand, one knows from Appendix 1 how to build
vectors from spinors, on the other hand, the spinor
formalism has the correct number of degrees of free
dom which makes it simpler to handle at least from a
theoretical point of view.
From the results obtained here it is not so evident
that practically the spinor formalism leads to simpler
computations. The reason why is that we considered
TE, TM, modes in ideal hollow waveguides. In our
next work (*) on propagation in lossy and inhomo
geneous filled guides with LSE and LSH modes
we shall meet a different and more convincing situa
tion. The gain in complexity may be thought as still
better in other guiding structures such as dielectric
waveguides or optical fibers that we shall discuss in a
forthcoming paper.
We may also think that in a next future computeri
zation will pervade waveguided technology as the
other technological fields. And in this aspect, the
spinor formalism is in a strong position since it leads
to a system of first order partial differential equations

[6],

For a rectangular waveguide, using (24 a) and (24 b),

these expressions give :

(5a
1 )

(51 b)

which defines the attenuation

Z ) we

= 2w e(k2k_(j 2

and similarly

(*) HILLION (P.), QUINNEZ (S.). Guided waves and spinor

fields. To be submitted.
8/10

251

P. HILLION. - SPINOR FORMALISM FOR WAVEGUIDES

in a conservative form, and there exists a huge littera

ture on this subject (mainly in fluid mchanic, see [7]
for instance). Recently one of us ( *) discussed the
thermal blooming of laser beams through a numerical
solution of spinor wave equations.
APPENDIX 1

A spinor 'Y(
x) is a geometrical being with two
complex components 1(
)x hex) and with the
property to transform under a rotation of parameters
e, qJ, (Euler's angles) according to the relation :

(A-I)

'Y(x)

=>

'Y'(x)

ei(<!J+cp)/2 cos e/ 2
_ e -i('9-<!J)/2
sin 6/2

ei(cp-<!J)/2 sin e/2

e-1(<!J+CP )/2 cos 6/2

\ ( hex) .
2 (X)

The physical quantities correspond to bilinear forms

and one has in particular the scalar '+(
x) 'Y()x and
the vector 'Y+(
x) crj 'Y()x, i = 1, 2, 3 where 'Y+(x)
is the hermitian conjugate spinor and cr j the Pauli
matrices.
The spinors are used in theoretical physics, to
describe the spin of particles with half integer spin.
Although, the name spin was not mentioned they
have also been previously used in optics to discuss
partial polarization [9, 8, 10] through the Stokes
parameters I, qJ, U, V [11]. In fact, one has [12] :
(A-2)

I = 'Y+'Y, Q = 'Y+cr3'Y, U = 'Y+cr1'Y,

V=

'Y+cr2'Y.

In this case, of course, 'Y is not solution of the spinor

wave equation. One may also translate in terms of
spinors, Kogelnik's ABCD law [13] for describing
the transmission of gaussian beams through complica
ted combinations of lens.
APPENDIX 2

For TM waves, according to (39 a

) and still using (35),
(36), equation (A-3) reduces to :
(A-4)

1t

and in the same way :

(A-5)

y2
(+
k )2 X
1t
C /2 )
Jn/2(ay) =4a2A2 +
k Jn (ay,

PTM= 2: a2cA2

1t

UTM = 2 2anA2

1-

(+
1

y2

(k + )2

J2(ya).

J(ya)= 1ta2A2 k
For the

TE

waves, we get from (35) and (36 b)

In+2(ay)

In-iya) =

In2+l(ya)

2
ya)
In-l(

(:2: - ) JnCya),
2

2n 2

- 22

ay

2 ay).
In(

Substituting these last results into (A-3), gives

= 1ta2A2 C
k+
kn
UTE= 1t
a2A2
k+

(A-6) PTE

(1 - n212ay2)

J(ya),

(1 -n21
a2y2)

J(ay).

Now the relation (46) can be written :

PiM

n2
wEA2 cay
2 Z
1tk2
z
z
d
Jo
Z2 J(z) + J () ,
2
2
(
)

which gives according to (A-5) :

1t

* = 2 2aA2
PTM
k2

WE

J2(ay),

while for UiM, we get from (

46') and (A-5) :

Using (35) and (42/), the relation (44) becomes :

(A-3)

P=

2acA2 [J2(ay) (1-a:2 ) J(ay) ] +

1ta2cA2y
ay) + J_l(ya)4' (k + 2 [J+l(
)
In(ya) In+2(ya) + In_2(ya))].

FIEGEL (A.), HILLION (P.). Thermal blooming of laser

beams in the frame of the spinor formalism. Submitted to
Optica Acta.

(*)

9/10

For Ph, UiE' only change in these last expres

sions J2(
ay) into (1 - n212ay2) J(ay).

Manuscrit re(:u Ie 9 octobre

accepte Ie 30 janvier

ANN. TELIkoMMUN., 40,

no

1984,
1985.

5-6, 1985

252

P. HILLION. - SPINOR FORMALISM FOR WAVEGUIDES

__

__ REFERENCES

[1] HILLION (P.). Spinor representation of electromagnetic

fields. J. opt. Soc. Am. (1976), 66, nO 8, pp. 865-866.
[2] HILLION (P.). An extension of geometrical optics to polari
zed light. J. of optics, Fr. (1979), 10, nO 1, pp. 21-26.
[3] RAMO (S.), WHINNERY (J. R.), VAN DUZER (Th.). Fields
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]

and waves in communication electronics. Wiley, New

York (1965), p. 421.
WHITTAKER (E. T.), WATSON (G. N.). A course of modern
analysis. Camb. Univ. Press, London (1959), p. 380.
JONES (D. S.). The theory of electromagnetism. Pergamon
Press, Oxford (1969), p. 153.
COLLIN (R. E.). Field theory of guided waves. Pergamon
Press, Oxford (1964), p. 473.
PEYRET (R.), TAYLOR (T. D.). Computational methods
for fluid flow. Springer verlag (1983), chap. 2.

ANN. TELECOMMUN.,

40, nO 5-6, 1985

[8] SOLEILLET (P.). Parametres de Stokes. Ann. de Phys.,

Fr. (1929), 12, nO 10, pp. 23-29.
[9] PERRIN (F.). Remarque sur les parametres de Stokes. J.
Chim. Phys. (1942), 10, pp. 415-418.
[10] VAN DE HULST (H. C.). Light scattering by small particles.
Chapmann and Hall, London (1957), chap. 5.
[11] STOKES (G. G.). Polarization of light. Trans. Camb. Phil.
Soc. (1852), 9, pp. 399-412.
[12] FLATO (M.), HILLION (P.). Poincare-like group associated
with neutrino physics and some applications. Physical
Review, D (1970), 1, nO 6, pp. 1667-1673.
[13] KOOELNIK (H.). Imaging of optical mode resonators
with international lenses. Bell Syst. Tech. J., USA (1965),
44, nO 3, pp. 455-494.

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