Spherical vector waves: their generation using a 4π optical array

Abstract

Spherical vector waves (SVW) are the natural basis that correlates internal multipole transitions of atomic systems to specific configurations of the electromagnetic field. We theoretically identify the SVW fields that could be approximately generated from incident cylindrical beams using a 4π optical array. A comparison is made between the near electromagnetic field of ideal SVW to that of the spherical spots generated by cylindrical incident laser beams with the selected angular spectra and a finite lens aperture of the 4π system. The fidelity is taken as figure of merit. Some challenges on the implementation of the SVW are briefly discussed.