Mode Coupling Analysis for a Mode Selective Coupler Using the Supermode Theory

Abstract

In this paper, the mode selective coupler (MSC) is analyzed using the supermode theory. It is shown that all characteristic parameters of the MSC can be obtained using the propagation constants of the supermodes supported by the MSC structure. Simulation results show that the characteristic parameters calculated by the supermode theory match well with those calculated by the traditional coupled mode theory (CMT) near the phase matching point of the MSC structure. In practice, the propagation constants of the supermodes can be obtained using common finite element software directly, avoiding the complex double integral in the traditional CMT. This analysis based on the supermode theory gives a deeper insight into the characteristics of the MSC, providing a fast and accurate method for the analysis of MSCs, which is helpful for their design, fabrication and applications.

Keywords

• mode selective coupler
• coupled mode theory
• supermode theory
• coupling length
• maximum power-coupling efficiency