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Improved coupled-mode theory for high-index-contrast photonic platforms
Qing Li1, Gregory Moille2,3, Hossein Taheri4
1Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
Physical Review. A
|November 24, 2021
Summary
We present an improved coupled-mode theory (CMT) for photonics design. This enhanced CMT offers superior accuracy, especially for high-index-contrast systems and asymmetric waveguides.
Area of Science:
- Photonics and Optics
- Computational Electromagnetics
Background:
- Coupled-mode theory (CMT) is a standard tool in optical and photonic device design.
- Existing CMT formulations have unclear applicability, particularly for high-index-contrast (HIC) photonic platforms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate an improved formulation of coupled-mode theory.
- To enhance the accuracy of CMT for HIC photonic systems.
Main Methods:
- Proposed an improved formulation of coupled-mode theory.
- Conducted numerical simulations comparing CMT results with supermode calculations and full-wave simulations.
- Applied the improved CMT to analyze asymmetric waveguides.
Main Results:
- The improved CMT formulation demonstrates superior performance compared to conventional methods.
- Identified a necessary correction to the phase matching condition in HIC asymmetric waveguides.
- Numerical simulations confirm the accuracy of the enhanced CMT.
Conclusions:
- The improved CMT provides a more accurate theoretical framework for HIC photonics.
- The findings enable more precise design of photonic circuits, particularly those with asymmetric elements.
