Linearly polarized electromagnetic pulses

Abstract

We construct theoretically a set of space-time localized electromagnetic pulses, characterized by a wavenumber K and a length a. Their linear polarization becomes more perfect as Ka increases and the pulse becomes more nearly monochromatic. Two measures of the degree of linear polarization are explored: one that gives the polarization at any point in space-time, and another that integrates the electric intensity over the focal plane of the pulse as the pulse passes through. The polarization measures and the total energy, momentum, and angular momentum of these pulses are calculated for all K and a. The fields of these pulses satisfy the Maxwell equations exactly.