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Do evanescent waves contribute to the far field?

E Wolf, J T Foley

|December 18, 2007

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Evanescent waves, crucial in near-field optics, do not physically contribute to source radiation fields or scatterer far fields, despite recent claims. This study clarifies their limited physical consequences.

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Area of Science:

Optics and Photonics
Electromagnetism
Near-field phenomena

Background:

Evanescent waves are of significant interest due to advances in near-field optics.
Previous claims suggested evanescent waves contribute to radiation fields of sources and far fields of scatterers.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate and clarify the physical contribution of evanescent waves to radiation and far fields.
To address and correct misleading claims regarding evanescent wave influence in optics.

Main Methods:

Analysis of a spherical scalar wave.
Examination of a linear electric dipole field.
Theoretical evaluation of wave field contributions.

Main Results:

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Evanescent wave contributions to source radiation fields are shown to be misleading.
Evanescent wave contributions to scatterer far fields are demonstrated to be without physical consequence.
The findings are applicable to a wide range of electromagnetic fields.

Conclusions:

Evanescent waves do not physically impact the radiation fields of sources or the far fields of scatterers.
The physical consequences of evanescent wave contributions are negligible.
This work provides a foundational understanding for near-field optics and electromagnetism.