Canonical Quantization of Cylindrical Waveguides: A Gauge-Based Approach

Abstract:We present a canonical quantization of electromagnetic modes in cylindrical waveguides, extending a gauge-based formalism previously developed for Cartesian geometries [1]. By introducing the two field quadratures $X,Y$ of TEM (transverse electric-magnetic), but also of TM (transverse magnetic) and TE (transverse electric) traveling modes, we identify for each a characteristic one-dimensional scalar field (a generalized flux $\varphi$) governed by a Klein-Gordon type equation. The associated Hamiltonian is derived explicitly from Maxwell's equations, allowing the construction of bosonic ladder operators. The generalized flux is directly deduced from the electromagnetic potentials $A,V$ by a proper gauge choice, generalizing Devoret's approach [2]. Our analysis unifies the treatment of cylindrical and Cartesian guided modes under a consistent and generic framework, ensuring both theoretical insight and experimental relevance. Especially, we find out that TE$_{n=0}$ modes break a fundamental gauge symmetry that is observed by all other families. We derive mode-specific capacitance and inductance from the field profiles and express voltage and current in terms of the canonical field variables. Measurable quantities are therefore properly defined from the mode quantum operators, especially for the non-trivial TM and TE ones. The formalism shall extend in future works to any other type of waveguides, especially on-chip coplanar geometries particularly relevant to quantum technologies.

arXiv:2602.04295 [quant-ph]

(or arXiv:2602.04295v2 [quant-ph] for this version)

https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2602.04295 Focus to learn more arXiv-issued DOI via DataCite

J. Phys. Commun. Vol. 10, 075004 (2026)

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