Slanted-Wall Beam Propagation

We present a new algorithm for wide-angle propagation through a general class of optical-waveguide structures defined by dielectric interfaces that may be slanted with respect to the direction of propagation. No regularity of the structure shapes is assumed, no coordinate transformations are employed, and the movement of each grid point between propagation steps is arbitrary within modest angular limitations. When used with an appropriate grid-generation algorithm, this method allows the modeling of an extremely wide variety of high-index-contrast waveguide structures, including meanders and tapers, with good phase accuracy and energy conservation.