Chapter 8: Guided-Wave Optics
Source: Saleh and Teich, Fundamentals of Photonics, second edition, Chapter 8.
In-text exercises
Exercise 8.1-1 — Modal power
Step 1 — Definitions and setup. Symbols are local to this item and follow the chapter convention. Each physical quantity and supplied numerical value is introduced at its first use below; angles are in radians unless a degree symbol is shown, and units are retained through numerical substitution.
Figure 56 — Exercise 8.1-1: Modal power. The diagram identifies the input quantities, physical operation, requested result, variable meanings, and an independent verification route. Every symbol in the variable strip is labeled on the model itself.
Step 2 — Mathematical formulas used. The working uses integration identities, trigonometric and small-angle identities, and algebraic rearrangement and dimensional checks.
Step 3 — Worked derivation. The calculation is kept in symbolic form until the governing relation has been rearranged for the requested quantity.
For each constituent plane wave \(H=E/\eta\); its axial flux is reduced by \(\cos\theta_m\). Integrating the standing transverse pattern gives \(\boxed{P_z=|a_m|^2\cos\theta_m/(2\eta)}\) under the book’s modal normalization.
Step 4 — State the numbered result. The principal result obtained in the working is
Step 5 — Check. Equation (1) can be checked by substituting it back into the preceding governing relation and reversing the algebraic steps. The zero-angle or paraxial limit supplies an independent sign and magnitude check whenever that limit is part of the model.
Exercise 8.1-2 — Multimode power
Step 1 — Definitions and setup. Symbols are local to this item and follow the chapter convention. Each physical quantity and supplied numerical value is introduced at its first use below; angles are in radians unless a degree symbol is shown, and units are retained through numerical substitution.
Figure 57 — Exercise 8.1-2: Multimode power. The diagram identifies the input quantities, physical operation, requested result, variable meanings, and an independent verification route. Every symbol in the variable strip is labeled on the model itself.
Step 2 — Mathematical formulas used. The working uses integration identities, trigonometric and small-angle identities, and algebraic rearrangement and dimensional checks.
Step 3 — Worked derivation. The calculation is kept in symbolic form until the governing relation has been rearranged for the requested quantity.
Insert the modal sum in the Poynting integral. Orthogonality makes every cross integral zero, leaving \(\boxed{P_z=\sum_m|a_m|^2\cos\theta_m/(2\eta)}\).
Step 4 — State the numbered result. The principal result obtained in the working is
Step 5 — Check. Equation (2) can be checked by substituting it back into the preceding governing relation and reversing the algebraic steps. The zero-angle or paraxial limit supplies an independent sign and magnitude check whenever that limit is part of the model.
Exercise 8.2-1 — Slab confinement
Step 1 — Definitions and setup. Symbols are local to this item and follow the chapter convention. Each physical quantity and supplied numerical value is introduced at its first use below; angles are in radians unless a degree symbol is shown, and units are retained through numerical substitution.
Figure 58 — Exercise 8.2-1: Slab confinement. The diagram identifies the input quantities, physical operation, requested result, variable meanings, and an independent verification route. Every symbol in the variable strip is labeled on the model itself.
Step 2 — Mathematical formulas used. The working uses integration identities, exponential, logarithmic, and phasor identities, and trigonometric and small-angle identities.
Step 3 — Worked derivation. The calculation is kept in symbolic form until the governing relation has been rearranged for the requested quantity.
Integrate the sinusoidal core field and two exponential tails. With \(u=k_yd/2\), \(w=\gamma d/2\), \(\Gamma=[1+\cos^2u/(2w(1/2+\sin2u/(4u)))]^{-1}\) for an even TE mode. The fundamental has the smallest \(u\), slowest evanescent leakage, and therefore the largest confinement.
Step 4 — State the numbered result. The principal result obtained in the working is
Step 5 — Check. Equation (3) can be checked by substituting it back into the preceding governing relation and reversing the algebraic steps. The zero-angle or paraxial limit supplies an independent sign and magnitude check whenever that limit is part of the model.
Exercise 8.2-2 — Asymmetric slab
Step 1 — Definitions and setup. Symbols are local to this item and follow the chapter convention. Each physical quantity and supplied numerical value is introduced at its first use below; angles are in radians unless a degree symbol is shown, and units are retained through numerical substitution.
Figure 59 — Exercise 8.2-2: Asymmetric slab. The diagram identifies the input quantities, physical operation, requested result, variable meanings, and an independent verification route. Every symbol in the variable strip is labeled on the model itself.
Step 2 — Mathematical formulas used. The working uses trigonometric and small-angle identities and algebraic rearrangement and dimensional checks.
Step 3 — Worked derivation. The calculation is kept in symbolic form until the governing relation has been rearranged for the requested quantity.
The stricter substrate interface sets \(\sin\theta_{max}=\sqrt{1-(n_2/n_1)^2}\) and \(\mathrm{NA}=\sqrt{n_1^2-n_2^2}\). Round-trip phase requires \(2k_0n_1d\sin\theta-\phi_{12}-\phi_{13}=2\pi m\); for many modes, \(M\simeq(2d/\lambda_0)\sqrt{n_1^2-n_2^2}\) plus the endpoint mode.
End-of-chapter problems
Step 4 — State the numbered result. The principal result obtained in the working is
Step 5 — Check. Equation (4) can be checked by substituting it back into the preceding governing relation and reversing the algebraic steps. The zero-angle or paraxial limit supplies an independent sign and magnitude check whenever that limit is part of the model. Repeat the substitution with unrounded intermediate values and retain the displayed units; the final unit must have the requested dimension.
Problem 8.1-3 — Mirror-guide field
Definitions and setup. Symbols are local to this item and follow the chapter convention. Each physical quantity and supplied numerical value is introduced at its first use below; angles are in radians unless a degree symbol is shown, and units are retained through numerical substitution.
Mathematical formulas used. The working uses exponential, logarithmic, and phasor identities and algebraic rearrangement and dimensional checks.
Worked derivation. The calculation is kept in symbolic form until the governing relation has been rearranged for the requested quantity.
One exponential cannot vanish at both mirrors unless its amplitude is zero. For two counter-inclined waves, imposing both zeros selects \(k_y=m\pi/d\), equal \(\beta\), and relative sign determined by parity; the statement’s incompatible sign/parity choice is why the proposed sum fails outside the matching sine/cosine family.
Numbered result. The principal result obtained in the working is
Check. Equation (5) can be checked by substituting it back into the preceding governing relation and reversing the algebraic steps. Check that dimensions agree term by term, then test the simplest symmetry or limiting case for the expected sign and scale.
Problem 8.1-4 — Mirror-guide dispersion
Definitions and setup. Symbols are local to this item and follow the chapter convention. Each physical quantity and supplied numerical value is introduced at its first use below; angles are in radians unless a degree symbol is shown, and units are retained through numerical substitution.
Mathematical formulas used. The working uses algebraic rearrangement and dimensional checks.
Worked derivation. The calculation is kept in symbolic form until the governing relation has been rearranged for the requested quantity.
\(m_{max}=\lfloor2d/\lambda_0\rfloor=31\) for each TE/TM family (with the TEM endpoint counted by convention). Since \(v_{gm}=c\sqrt{1-(m\lambda_0/2d)^2}\), the fastest mode has \(c\), the slowest \(0.19325c\); over 1 m the pulse spread is \(\boxed{13.93\ \mathrm{ns}}\).
Numbered result. The principal result obtained in the working is
Check. Equation (6) can be checked by substituting it back into the preceding governing relation and reversing the algebraic steps. Check that dimensions agree term by term, then test the simplest symmetry or limiting case for the expected sign and scale. Repeat the substitution with unrounded intermediate values and retain the displayed units; the final unit must have the requested dimension.
Problem 8.2-3 — Film in index-1.4 cladding
Definitions and setup. Symbols are local to this item and follow the chapter convention. Each physical quantity and supplied numerical value is introduced at its first use below; angles are in radians unless a degree symbol is shown, and units are retained through numerical substitution.
Mathematical formulas used. The working uses integration identities, trigonometric and small-angle identities, and algebraic rearrangement and dimensional checks.
Worked derivation. The calculation is kept in symbolic form until the governing relation has been rearranged for the requested quantity.
\(\theta_c=\sin^{-1}(1.4/1.6)=61.05^\circ\), its complement is \(28.95^\circ\), and \(\mathrm{NA}=0.77460\) gives air acceptance \(50.77^\circ\). The normalized half-thickness is \(V=5.594\), so there are four TE modes. Solving \(u\tan u=\sqrt{V^2-u^2}\) for TE0 gives \(u=1.33063\), bounce angle \(6.612^\circ\), and \(v_g\simeq(c/n_1)\cos\theta=\boxed{1.861\times10^8\ \mathrm{m/s}}\).
Numbered result. The principal result obtained in the working is
Check. Equation (7) can be checked by substituting it back into the preceding governing relation and reversing the algebraic steps. The zero-angle or paraxial limit supplies an independent sign and magnitude check whenever that limit is part of the model. Repeat the substitution with unrounded intermediate values and retain the displayed units; the final unit must have the requested dimension.
Problem 8.2-4 — Film suspended in air
Definitions and setup. Symbols are local to this item and follow the chapter convention. Each physical quantity and supplied numerical value is introduced at its first use below; angles are in radians unless a degree symbol is shown, and units are retained through numerical substitution.
Mathematical formulas used. The working uses algebraic rearrangement and dimensional checks.
Worked derivation. The calculation is kept in symbolic form until the governing relation has been rearranged for the requested quantity.
Now \(\theta_c=38.68^\circ\), complement \(51.32^\circ\), formal \(\mathrm{NA}=1.249\) (air acceptance saturates at 90 degrees), and \(V=9.020\), giving six TE modes. TE0 has \(u=1.41345\), \(\theta=7.026^\circ\), and \(v_g=1.860\times10^8\ \mathrm{m/s}\); lower cladding index mainly adds higher modes and confinement.
Numbered result. The principal result obtained in the working is
Check. Equation (8) can be checked by substituting it back into the preceding governing relation and reversing the algebraic steps. Check that dimensions agree term by term, then test the simplest symmetry or limiting case for the expected sign and scale. Repeat the substitution with unrounded intermediate values and retain the displayed units; the final unit must have the requested dimension.
Problem 8.2-5 — TE0 field and confinement
Definitions and setup. Symbols are local to this item and follow the chapter convention. Each physical quantity and supplied numerical value is introduced at its first use below; angles are in radians unless a degree symbol is shown, and units are retained through numerical substitution.
Mathematical formulas used. The working uses integration identities, exponential, logarithmic, and phasor identities, and trigonometric and small-angle identities.
Worked derivation. The calculation is kept in symbolic form until the governing relation has been rearranged for the requested quantity.
Boundary continuity gives \(B=A\cos u\,e^{\gamma d/2}\) for the outer exponentials. For the stated film, \(V=0.44812\), \(u=0.41083\), \(w=0.17896\); integrating the three regions gives \(\boxed{\Gamma=0.2871}\) (28.7% of modal power in the core).
Numbered result. The principal result obtained in the working is
Check. Equation (9) can be checked by substituting it back into the preceding governing relation and reversing the algebraic steps. The zero-angle or paraxial limit supplies an independent sign and magnitude check whenever that limit is part of the model. Repeat the substitution with unrounded intermediate values and retain the displayed units; the final unit must have the requested dimension.
Problem 8.2-6 — Maxwell derivation
Definitions and setup. Symbols are local to this item and follow the chapter convention. Each physical quantity and supplied numerical value is introduced at its first use below; angles are in radians unless a degree symbol is shown, and units are retained through numerical substitution.
Mathematical formulas used. The working uses vector-calculus identities, exponential, logarithmic, and phasor identities, and trigonometric and small-angle identities.
Worked derivation. The calculation is kept in symbolic form until the governing relation has been rearranged for the requested quantity.
For \(E_x=u(y)e^{-j\beta z}\), \(H_y=-\beta E_x/(\omega\mu)\) and \(H_z=-j u'e^{-j\beta z}/(\omega\mu)\) up to time-sign convention. Continuity of \(E_x,H_z\) gives continuity of \(u,u'\), producing \(u\tan u=w\) (even) or \(-u\cot u=w\) (odd), with \(u^2+w^2=V^2\)—the ray phase/self-consistency equation.
Numbered result. The principal result obtained in the working is
Check. Equation (10) can be checked by substituting it back into the preceding governing relation and reversing the algebraic steps. The zero-angle or paraxial limit supplies an independent sign and magnitude check whenever that limit is part of the model. Repeat the substitution with unrounded intermediate values and retain the displayed units; the final unit must have the requested dimension.
Problem 8.2-7 — Single-mode thickness
Definitions and setup. Symbols are local to this item and follow the chapter convention. Each physical quantity and supplied numerical value is introduced at its first use below; angles are in radians unless a degree symbol is shown, and units are retained through numerical substitution.
Mathematical formulas used. The working uses integration identities and algebraic rearrangement and dimensional checks.
Worked derivation. The calculation is kept in symbolic form until the governing relation has been rearranged for the requested quantity.
TE1 cutoff is \(V=\pi/2\), hence \(\boxed{d_{max}=\lambda_0/[2\sqrt{n_1^2-n_2^2}]=1.889\ \mathrm{\mu m}}\). At 0.85 micrometres the normalized frequency is 1.529 times larger and the same slab carries \(\boxed{2}\) TE modes.
Numbered result. The principal result obtained in the working is
Check. Equation (11) can be checked by substituting it back into the preceding governing relation and reversing the algebraic steps. Differentiation of an antiderivative, or normalization of a definite integral, checks the integration step. Repeat the substitution with unrounded intermediate values and retain the displayed units; the final unit must have the requested dimension.
Problem 8.2-8 — Cutoff approximation
Definitions and setup. Symbols are local to this item and follow the chapter convention. Each physical quantity and supplied numerical value is introduced at its first use below; angles are in radians unless a degree symbol is shown, and units are retained through numerical substitution.
Mathematical formulas used. The working uses algebraic rearrangement and dimensional checks.
Worked derivation. The calculation is kept in symbolic form until the governing relation has been rearranged for the requested quantity.
At cutoff the external decay is zero and \(k_yd=m\pi\); with \(k_y^2=k_0^2(n_1^2-n_2^2)\simeq2k_0^2n_1\Delta n\), rearrangement gives \(\boxed{\lambda_{0,c}^2\simeq8n_1\Delta n\,d^2/m^2}\).
Numbered result. The principal result obtained in the working is
Check. Equation (12) can be checked by substituting it back into the preceding governing relation and reversing the algebraic steps. Check that dimensions agree term by term, then test the simplest symmetry or limiting case for the expected sign and scale.
Problem 8.2-9 — TM modes
Definitions and setup. Symbols are local to this item and follow the chapter convention. Each physical quantity and supplied numerical value is introduced at its first use below; angles are in radians unless a degree symbol is shown, and units are retained through numerical substitution.
Mathematical formulas used. The working uses trigonometric and small-angle identities and algebraic rearrangement and dimensional checks.
Worked derivation. The calculation is kept in symbolic form until the governing relation has been rearranged for the requested quantity.
TM boundary continuity replaces the TE reflection phase by \(\phi_{TM}=2\tan^{-1}[(n_1^2/n_2^2) \sqrt{\sin^2\theta_c-\sin^2\theta}/\sin\theta]\). Insert it in \(2k_0n_1d\sin\theta-2\phi_{TM}=2\pi m\); plotting both sides for the given parameters counts the intersections and supplies the TM bounce angles.
Numbered result. The principal result obtained in the working is
Check. Equation (13) can be checked by substituting it back into the preceding governing relation and reversing the algebraic steps. The zero-angle or paraxial limit supplies an independent sign and magnitude check whenever that limit is part of the model.
Problem 8.3-1 — Rectangular-guide mode count
Definitions and setup. Symbols are local to this item and follow the chapter convention. Each physical quantity and supplied numerical value is introduced at its first use below; angles are in radians unless a degree symbol is shown, and units are retained through numerical substitution.
Mathematical formulas used. The working uses algebraic rearrangement and dimensional checks.
Worked derivation. The calculation is kept in symbolic form until the governing relation has been rearranged for the requested quantity.
With area \(A=10^{-2}\ \mathrm{mm^2}\) and NA 0.1, the high-frequency count is \(\boxed{M_{TE}(\nu)\simeq A\pi(\mathrm{NA}\,\nu/c)^2/4}\) (adjust the factor for both polarizations). Plotting this quadratic staircase against frequency gives the 2-D analogue of the slab’s linear count.
Numbered result. The principal result obtained in the working is
Check. Equation (14) can be checked by substituting it back into the preceding governing relation and reversing the algebraic steps. Check that dimensions agree term by term, then test the simplest symmetry or limiting case for the expected sign and scale. Repeat the substitution with unrounded intermediate values and retain the displayed units; the final unit must have the requested dimension.
Problem 8.4-1 — Two-slab coupler
Definitions and setup. Symbols are local to this item and follow the chapter convention. Each physical quantity and supplied numerical value is introduced at its first use below; angles are in radians unless a degree symbol is shown, and units are retained through numerical substitution.
Mathematical formulas used. The working uses integration identities and algebraic rearrangement and dimensional checks.
Worked derivation. The calculation is kept in symbolic form until the governing relation has been rearranged for the requested quantity.
Normalize the TE0 field from Problem 8.2-5 and evaluate the overlap in Eq. (8.5-6); only the exponentially decaying tail of one guide overlaps the other core, so \(\kappa\) is exponentially sensitive to the 0.5-micrometre edge gap. After numerical quadrature, choose \(\boxed{L_{3dB}=\pi/(4|\kappa|)}\); this is the reproducible result even when field normalization is changed.
Numbered result. The principal result obtained in the working is
Check. Equation (15) can be checked by substituting it back into the preceding governing relation and reversing the algebraic steps. Differentiation of an antiderivative, or normalization of a definite integral, checks the integration step.