title: Helmholtz Hodge decomposition of scalar optical fields.
abstract: It is shown that the vector field decomposition method, namely, the Helmholtz Hodge decomposition, can also be applied to analyze scalar optical fields that are ubiquitously present in interference and diffraction optics. A phase gradient field that depicts the propagation and Poynting vector directions can hence be separated into solenoidal and irrotational components.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi 110016, India. monikaiitd1@gmail.com
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bahl
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Senthilkumaran