Abstract

Previously, we have presented a variational analysis method for the study of rectangular channel dielectric waveguides.¹ The previous method determines the value of the propagation constant for the fundamental mode by using variational arguments based on the scalar wave equation, along with a Gaussian wave-field approximation. In this paper, we present the extension of the previous analysis method. The extension is based on the incorporation of the vector wave equation into the variational arguments used. A Gaussian field distribution is still assumed. By using the vector wave equation, instead of the scalar wave equation, the effects of polarization are included. Extensions of the analysis method to include material anisotropies are also discussed.

© 1992 Optical Society of America