Perturbation analysis of finitely clad optical waveguides and couplers

In calculating the modal characteristics of a finitely clad optical waveguide, if the wavelength is much shorter than the core of the waveguide, then the cladding of the waveguide can be assumed to be infinite. On the other hand, if the wavelength is much longer than the core, the core can be ignored. These two approximations, although simple and accurate in the two respective extreme cases, do not provide adequate information in the transition region, where many tapered devices are operated. To overcome this a novel perturbation method is devised, in which these two approximations are combined in such a way that a result that is accurate in all cases can be obtained. Analytical expressions based on this method for describing the dispersion characteristics of finitely clad slab waveguides and circular step-index fibres are derived and compared with other conventional approximations. The combined use of this method and the coupled-mode theory for the analysis of optical couplers is also described. © 1990 Chapman and Hall Ltd.