Question

What is the difference between TE and TM mode?

Answer 1

A wave guide is a conducting hollow pipe in which electromagnetic waves are confined. The waves are guided to move along the wave guide.The difference between TE and TM mode are:

TE mode	TM mode
1. If the wave in the wave guide is propagating in the $z$-direction, then $E_z=0$ ($z$ component of the electric field).	1. If the wave in the wave guide is propagating in $z$-direction, then $B_z=0$ ($z$ component of the magnetic field).
2. As the electric field is vibrating only in a direction perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the wave, hence this wave/mode is called “transverse electric” mode.	2. As the magnetic field is vibrating only in a direction perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the wave, hence this wave/mode is called “transverse magnetic” mode.