Computer Modeling of Optical Fibers and Waveguides

Abstract

This article presents an efficient technique to characterize propagation along optical fibers and integrated optical waveguides. The technique is based on recently developed second order edge elements, which have many advantages, such as eliminating spurious modes and utilizing relatively simple and accurate elements. Thus, the core of the optical waveguide is meshed into finite elements whereas the surrounding infinite medium is discretized into infinite elements. The boundary conditions are exactly satisfied between finite and infinite elements. This method reduces the numerical effort as compared to the virtual zero boundary condition method. Examples are given to show the validity and usefulness of the method.