Generalized coupled mode formalism in reciprocal waveguides with gain/loss, anisotropy or bianisotropy

TL;DR

This paper extends coupled mode theory to anisotropic and bianisotropic waveguides by formulating a generalized eigenvalue problem that accurately models forward and backward modes, enabling better analysis of mode coupling in complex waveguides.

Contribution

The authors develop a generalized coupled mode formalism using a novel eigenvalue problem framework that accounts for anisotropy, bianisotropy, and gain/loss in waveguides, overcoming limitations of standard theory.

Findings

Established a generalized eigenvalue problem equivalent to the waveguide Hamiltonian.

Derived coupled mode equations from the generalized formalism.

Demonstrated applications in anisotropic and bianisotropic waveguides.

Abstract

In anisotropic or bianisotropic waveguides, the standard coupled mode theory fails due to the broken link between the forward and backward propagating modes, which together form the dual mode sets that are crucial in constructing couple mode equations. We generalize the coupled mode theory by treating the forward and backward propagating modes on the same footing via a generalized eigenvalue problem that is exactly equivalent to the waveguide Hamiltonian. The generalized eigenvalue problem is fully characterized by two operators, i.e., $( \bar{\bm{L}},\bar{\bm{B}})$, wherein $\bar{\bm{L}}$ is a self-adjoint differential operator, while $\bar{\bm{B}}$ is a constant antisymmetric operator. From the properties of $\bar{\bm{L}}$ and $\bar{\bm{B}}$, we establish the relation between the dual mode sets that are essential in constructing coupled mode equations in terms of forward and backward propagating modes. By perturbation, the generalized coupled mode equation can be derived in a natural way. Our generalized coupled mode formalism can be used to study the mode coupling in waveguides that may contain gain/loss, anisotropy or bianisotropy. We further illustrate how the generalized coupled theory can be used to study the modal coupling in anisotropy and bianisotropy waveguides through a few concrete examples.