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On the accuracy of WKB approximation in optical dielectric waveguides

On the accuracy of WKB approximation in optical dielectric waveguides
On the accuracy of WKB approximation in optical dielectric waveguides
Eigenvalues and field distributions for optical waveguides obtained from the WKB approximation have been compared with those found from geometrical optics and from more rigorous weakly-guiding LP mode theories in the cases of the step-index and parabolic-index profiles. In all cases it is found that the zero-order WKB approximation yields very accurate eigenvalues provided care is taken in the choice of phase factors in the eigenvalue equation. Expressions are deduced for the required phase factors for guides of arbitrary index profile in both two- and three-dimensions, and physical interpretations are given in terms of ray optics. The first-order WKB field distributions are found to give good agreement with the mode fields everywhere except in the vicinity of the caustics.
0306-8919
223-232
Hartog, A.H.
086d3839-ad46-4490-997e-3fded0a9b7f1
Adams, M.J.
4a9df701-bc4d-492e-a54e-de6d526d3083
Hartog, A.H.
086d3839-ad46-4490-997e-3fded0a9b7f1
Adams, M.J.
4a9df701-bc4d-492e-a54e-de6d526d3083

Hartog, A.H. and Adams, M.J. (1977) On the accuracy of WKB approximation in optical dielectric waveguides. Optical and Quantum Electronics, 9, 223-232. (doi:10.1007/BF00619733).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Eigenvalues and field distributions for optical waveguides obtained from the WKB approximation have been compared with those found from geometrical optics and from more rigorous weakly-guiding LP mode theories in the cases of the step-index and parabolic-index profiles. In all cases it is found that the zero-order WKB approximation yields very accurate eigenvalues provided care is taken in the choice of phase factors in the eigenvalue equation. Expressions are deduced for the required phase factors for guides of arbitrary index profile in both two- and three-dimensions, and physical interpretations are given in terms of ray optics. The first-order WKB field distributions are found to give good agreement with the mode fields everywhere except in the vicinity of the caustics.

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Published date: 1977

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 78742
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/78742
ISSN: 0306-8919
PURE UUID: b9e66b75-07a1-4670-8120-df6b3760d61b

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Date deposited: 11 Mar 2010
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 00:21

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Author: A.H. Hartog
Author: M.J. Adams

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