A Modified full-vectorial finite-difference beam propagation method based on H-fields for optical waveguides with step-index profiles

A modified full-vectorial finite-difference beam propagation method based on H-fields in solving the guided-modes for optical wave-guides with step-index profiles is described. The propagation is split into two substeps. In the first substep, the field propagates in the absence of the cross-coupling terms, and then they are evaluated and double used in the second substep. An improved six-point finite-difference scheme is constructed to approximate the cross-coupling terms along the transverse directions. By using the imaginary-distance procedure, the field patterns and the normalized propagation constants of the fundamental modes for a buried rectangular waveguide and rib waveguide are presented, and the hybrid nature of the full-vectorial guided-modes is demonstrated. Solutions are in good agreement with the benchmark results from film mode matching method, which tests the validity and utility of the present method. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.