Highly accurate vector correction for optical waveguide propagation constants

Abstract

A vector correction is derived to the propagation constants obtained from a polarised analysis of graded-index optical waveguides. This general formula is reduced to a form suitable for use with semiconductor rib and strip-loaded waveguides. Corrected propagation constants calculated for a range of semiconductor rib waveguide structures coincide with available results from a full vector approach. Moreover, the vector correction term is always small, underpinning the accuracy of this simple and fast polarised approach for the first time.