Transformations of spherical beam shape coefficients in generalized Lorenz–Mie theories through rotations of coordinate systems. IV. Plane waves

This paper is the fourth of a series devoted to the transformation of beam shape coefficients through rotations of coordinate systems. These coefficients are required to express electromagnetic fields of laser beams in expanded forms, for instance for use in some generalized Lorenz–Mie theories. The main result of Part I has been the theorem of transformation of beam shape coefficients under rotations. Part II dealt with the special case of on-axis axisymmetric beams. Part III dealt with other special cases, namely when the Euler angles specifying the rotation are given some special values. The present Part IV studies another special case, namely the one of plane waves viewed as special on-axis axisymmetric beams, and can therefore be viewed as a special case of Part II. Unexpectedly, it is found that, in general, although plane waves are fairly trivial, their expansions require using non trivial beam shape coefficients, exactly as required when dealing with arbitrary shaped beams.