Exact calculation of the nonlinear characteristics of 2D isotropic and anisotropic waveguides.

Abstract

We use our vector Maxwell's nonlinear eigenmode solver to study the stationary solutions in 2D cross-section plasmonic slot waveguides with isotropic Kerr nonlinear codes and anisotropic Kerr nonlinear cores. First, for the isotropic case, we demonstrate that, even in the low-power regime, 1D studies may not provide accurate and meaningful results compared to 2D ones. Second, we study, including at high powers, the link between the nonlinear parameter γnl and the change of the nonlinear propagation constant Δβ. Third, we demonstrate that our approach is also valid for anisotropic waveguides, and we show how to improve by, a factor of 2, the figure of merit of nonlinear plasmonic slot waveguides using realistic materials.