<title>Method to analyze optical waveguides with arbitrary index profiles</title>

Abstract

We present a theoretical method which makes it possible to analyze 3-D integrated optical waveguides with arbitrary refractive index profiles. With this method it is easy to obtain effective indexes, propagation constants and coupling/switching properties of planar and channel optical waveguides. This theoretical approach involves modelling the original optical waveguide by means of an Equivalent Optical Waveguide whose effective index is evaluated by applying a technique that we call the Asymptotic Effective Index Method. The theoretical results show good convergence and accuracy for effectives indexes, propagation constants and coupling/switching characteristics.