Vectorial theory of self-trapped light beams

Nonlinear optical media may support self-trapped "filaments" with transverse electric (TE), transverse magnetic (TM), or hybrid (HE and EH) field configurations. The divergence of the electric field vanishes in a certain class of configurations thereby introducing a simple criterion for their existence. The HE11, TE0q and TM0q filaments, distinguished by a high degree of symmetry, are discussed in detail. Of these, only the TE0q type allows for well-defined modes consisting of tubular beams of light. © 1970.