Extension of Marcatili’s analytical approach for rectangular silicon optical waveguides

Journal article (2012)
Department
ImPhys/Imaging Physics (AS) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2012 IEEE
Electromagnetic fields Integrated optics Optical sensors Optical waveguides Silicon on insulator technology Electromagnetic propagation
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Published Date

15-07-2012

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Source:

Journal of Lightwave Technology, 30 (14), 2012; Authors version

ISSN:

0733-8724

Faculty

Applied Sciences

Department

ImPhys/Imaging Physics

Abstract

Marcatili's famous approximate analytical description of light propagating through rectangular dielectric waveguides, published in 1969, gives accurate results for low-index-contrast waveguides. However, photonic integrated circuit technology has advanced to high-index-contrast (HIC) waveguides. In this paper, we improve Marcatili's model by adjusting the amplitudes of the components of the electromagnetic fields in his description. We find that Marcatili's eigenvalue equation for the propagation constant is also valid for HIC waveguides. Our improved method shows much better agreement with rigorous numerical simulations, in particular for the case of HIC waveguides. We also derive explicit expressions for the effective group index and the effects of external forces on the propagation constant. Furthermore, with our method the phenomenon of avoided crossing of modes is observed and studied.