Theory of Vector Beams for Chirality and Magnetism Detection of Subwavelength Particles

Vector beams are electromagnetic waves with specific polarization and localized distributions in the transverse plane to the propagation axis. Here, a theoretical treatment of two kinds of cylindrical vector beams, namely the azimuthally and radially polarized beams, and their composition is presented. In particular, the applications of these two kinds of beams in inter‐disciplinary areas of research are discussed, including the magnetic and chirality force microscopy, as well as chirality detection of subwavelenth‐size matter samples by using a generalization of circular dichroism.