Single mode rib optical waveguide modeling techniques

A single mode rib optical waveguide is modeled using three distinct methods: the finite difference method (FD); effective index method (EI); two dimensional beam propagation method (2D-BPM). Starting from the fundamental Maxwell's equations, the functionalities of the methods in solving the wave equation are discussed. Using a standard rib optical waveguide structure, comparisons between the methods are made in terms of normalized propagation constant values; the obtained results are shown to have good agreement.