Generalized conditions for TE/TM reductions in electromagnetic computations

摘要

The state of knowledge concerning transverse electric/transverse magnetic (TE/TM) modes is extended in three directions. First, it is shown that a TE/TM decomposition is always possible in theory, regardless of the nature of the source or the variation of the permittivity and permeability. Second, the known conditions under which the composition can be effectively used for the computation of electromagnetic (EM) fields extended. Third, the conditions inhibiting the existence of TE/TM modes are found to apply to smooth, as well as discontinuous, transverse variations in permittivity and permeability, and source conditions are derived.