Exact quantization of a paraxial electromagnetic field

Abstract

A nonperturbative quantization of a paraxial electromagnetic field is achieved via a generalized dispersion relation imposed on the longitudinal and the transverse components of the photon wave vector. This theoretical formalism yields a seamless transition between the paraxial- and the Maxwell-equation solutions. This obviates the need to introduce either ad hoc or perturbatively defined field operators. Moreover, our (exact) formalism remains valid beyond the quasimonochromatic paraxial limit. © 2005 The American Physical Society.