Abstract

Given a set of special restrictions applying to the optical system and by restricting the solution space to one of its subspaces, one can transform the time-dependent and the stationary wave equations of scalar optics into an equation that is structurally equivalent to the quantum-mechanical Schrödinger equation. These conditions are specified, the subspace that makes that transformation possible is constructed, and the transformation is derived. The physical meaning of the new, transformed variables is also given. An application shows how the transformation can be applied in the fields of mode coupling of forward- and backward-traveling waves. Finally, the well-known beam propagation method is discussed from this point of view.

© 1992 Optical Society of America

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