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Revista Brasileira de Aplicaes de Vcuo. Vai. 10. 8.2, 1991.

PROPAGATION CHARACTERISTICS OF ELECTROMAGNET

I C VAVES 1M THIM FILMS VITH NONLIMEAR
MATERIAL
J. R. Souza

Pontiflcia
Centro de Estudos
Universidade
em Telecomunicaes
Catlica do Rio de Janeiro
CETUC
PUC/Rio
- -
Rua MarquAs de So Vicente, 225
22453 Rio de Janeiro RJ, Brasil -
ASSTRACT: Propagation Method (BPM). ln [8], the wave
propagation ;s simulated by means 01 the
The propagation characteristics of finite element method. So far, no
electromagnetic waves in thin films with stability analysishas been carried out
nonlinear material are investigated for nonlinear TM guided waves.
numerica"y using variational methods and
f1nite difference techniQues. Both TE and This paper presents a new fonmulation for
TM polarizations are considerado lt is the stability analysis of nonlinear guided
observed that hysteresis and bistability waves. It was developed [9)-[11) in arder
can occur. lt is also observed that part to investigate to what extent the resulta
of the higher arder solutions. mar be and conclusiona reported in the literatura
unstable and mar follow a route to chaos depend on the numerical techniquee usado
through period doubling as the guided wave It ;s appl;ed to both TE and TM nonlinear
power increases. guided wavea.

1. INTRODUCTION 2. FORMULA TION

Dielectric waveguides, or thin filma, with Figure 1 shows the waveguides considered,
nonlinear material have attracted where the three layere can be of nonlinear
considerable interest in recent Y9ars due material.
to their unique, fascinating features, and
potential application to devices for an
all-optical signal processar, as well as i\
Q
for optical computara [1]. y
The knowledge of the propagation Lz i\ t
characteristics of electromagnetic waves
in such structures is necessary not only
to determine
suggested
understanding
the
devices,
of
feasibility
but also to further
the physical
of
phenomena
the
the
i\
.
associated with nonl1near guided waves
systems. Of particular interest is the Figure 1: Nonlinear waveguide.
study of the stability characteristics of
waves guided by such structures, as this
will determine the limit of their For TE polarization, the nonlinear
usability. refractive index ;s wr;tten as [13]:

Stability analyses of TE nonlinear guided i\2 = n2 + a f(S) j = s, f, c (1)

waves can be found in the literatura, e.g. j j j
[2]-[8]. References [2]-[7] present the
stability analysis of TE waves guided by a where n representa the low power
thin film bounded by semi-infinite refracti~e index, which may be a function
nonlinear media, while reference [8] deals of y, a representa the nonlinear
with TE waves guided by a nonlinear film coeff;c;e~t of medium j (j=s, f, c) and
bounded by semi-infinite linear media. f(S), a functionof the 8igna 1 intensi ty S. .
With the exception of reference [2]. where For Kerr-type nonlinearity, f(S) = IEI2,
a stability theory was developed for the where E denotes the electric field. In'
fundamental TE moda, the other this case, each coefficient a is then
conclusions and ~esults reported in the written ae n n c, n jbeing the
literatura [3]-[8] were obtained by nonlinear coeff~c~~nt,O t~e free space
launching a specific electric field permitt;vity, and c o the ~elocity of light
.

profile into the waveguide and numerically 1n vacuum.

simulating its propagation down the
waveguide. Reference [3]-[7] have in Assumin; that the waveguide ia composed of
common the numerical method employed 1n 108s1es8media, and that a/ax = O, a
the simulated propagation: the Seem var;ational expre8sion for the propagation

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Revista Brasileira de Aplicaes de Vcuo, Vol, 10, n.2, 1991.

constant p for TE waves ;s written as field. The constant 1 takes on different

[9]-[11]: values, depending on the nonlinearity
mechanism [14], and will hera be fixed as
a> dE a> -1
1.
fJ2= [ J [k:n2E:- (--iy)2]dY ] , [ J E:dY] (2) As in the case of TE polarization, a
variationa1 expression i8 first developed
where E ;s the X-component of the for the propagation constant fJ [9],[11]:
electr;cXf;eld, k ;s the free space
wavenumber, and theO factor exp[j(~t-fJz)] a> O)
is implcito
Next, the Y-axis is discretized, finite
differences are used to evaluate the
-I ~ z
(dHx/dy)2dY -k:-I H: dy
(7)
derivativa in the expression for 82, and p2:
CD
the integrals in (2) are approximated in
terms of the discretized field. r~H: dy
-Ib E:
y
The stat;onary property of p2 ;s then used
through the differentiation of (2) with
respect to each of the variables E ,
where E is the value of E at y = y x: i Following the sarna steps as in the case of
= 1, 2,x~..,N, E and E bein9 set to TE polarization, the standard eigenvalue
zero. The follow'n9 sta~aArd eigenvalue problem is obtained [9],[11]:
problem is arrived at [9]-[11]:
[B].{H }:(fJh)2'{H ) (8)
x x

[A].{E} = (fJh)2.{Ex ) (3) where H is the X-component of the

x
magneticXfield, [B] is a real tridiagonal
where h is the distance between successive matrix, whose elements are given by
points alon9 the Y-axis, [A] ;s a real, [9],[11]:
symmetrical and tridiagonal matr;x, whose
li diagonal elements are g;ven by [9]-[11]: 1
i B1 i = k Zh 2 - ~zl
A 11 = (k h)2n21 -2 (i=1,2,...,N) (4) ( o I:
z 1- 1 ) 'E: yl

E:

and the off-diagonal elements are a11 B

1 ,1+ 1
=~E: (9)
z1
equal to unity.
E:
The total guided power par unit length !.!
a10n9 the X-axis is calcu1ated as B 1 -1,1 - E:
z 1 - 1
[9]-[11]:

a>
P = fJ r E2dY (5)
2k Z -Ib x The total guided power par unit length
alon9 the X-xis is calculated as:

where Z representa the intr;nslC O)

impedanceoof vacuum. - 1 ZfJ

Considering Kerr-type nonlinearity, for TM

P --Z' k S E:
-a> Y
H2dY
x
(10)

po1arization the nonlinear permittivity is

written as [10],[14]:

E: = n2 The solution of problema the eigenvalue

xJ J
yields the propagationconstant fJ and the
E: = n2 = n2 + electric field profile, in the case of TE
yJ yJ J E: cn2n
J 2J '(IE Y 12+ 11E z 12) waves, or the magnetic field profile, in
the case of TM waves.
E: = n2 = n2 +
zJ zJ J J 2J '(11E Y 12+ IEz 12)
E:cn2n
As in the presence of nonlinearity the
(6 ) refractive index distribution dependa on
where E: , E: , and E: are diagonal the local field intensity, an iterative
element!Jof t~~ permittiv'ty tensor, n scheme is used in the solution of the
representa the low power refractive inde* eigenvalue problema (3) and (8). For each
of medium j. E and E are, respectively, polal"'ization,
the eigenva1ue problem is
the Y- and l-componente of the electric init1ally solved assuming negligible power

36

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Revista Brasileira de Aplicaes de Vcuo, Vol. 10, 0.2, 1991.

level. The resulting electric (or gives placa to the asymmetrical solution,
magnetic) field is then scaled to the which is maintained indefinitely along the
required powe~ level, and used to update iterative scheme.
the refractive index distribution due to
the nonlinear contributlons, and the
eigenvalue problem is solved again. This
iterative scheme continues until
consistent solutions are obtained.

3. RESULTS

In all the resulta presented hera, only

Kerr-type nonlinearity was considered, in
order to allow comparison with other -a:.
resulta in the literatura.
Figure 2 shows the yariation of the
fundamental moda TE effective refractive
index P/k with theOguided wave power for
a structu~e composed of a linear film,
whose thickness is 1.25~m and refractive
index is 1.57, bounded by identical, <:;) '2.. """
Gemi-infinita nonlinear substrate and """"'(" 'J-I-~""',)
cladding, with a low power refractive
index of 1.55, and nonlinear coefficient Figure 3: Evolution of the TE electric
of 1.0x10.9m2/w. The wavelength is field profile with thA iterative
O.515~m. scheme,with P = 95mW/mm.

1.64 A
Figure 2 also shows resulta as read from
reference [13], which presente an
x 1.62 analytical, stationary solution for the
eu
-O nonlinear, one-dimensional wave equation.
.E 1.60 The results are seen to agree very well.
eu
In Figure 2 it can be seen that hysteresis
.~1.58 ~
takes placa, represented by a sudden
....
u
... change of the effective index as the
------- guided wave pcwer is increased. It was
~1.56
- observed [9], [10], [12), that this effect
w Reference (13) is determined mainly by the film
1.54 thickness, and that it can occur at low
power levels. Such effect has potential
2'O"~'~':g~"'(J~>~~~"'...OO application in fast optical switches or
memory loops [1].
Figure 2: Variation of the TE effective
refractive index with guided 1.68
wave power.
1.66
This fundamental moda presente two x
solutions: one, with a symmetrical
electric field distribution with respect
~c
1.64
f to the X-axis, that evolves from the
-1.62
corresponding solution in a similar, eu
>1.60
linear waveguide. This solution is :;:;

l
represented by curve S in Figure 2. For
power levels above a certain value, a
second solution appears, in which the
-wl.56
~1.58

electric field distrtbution is 1.54

asymmetrical with respect to the X-axis,
t curve A in Figure 2. It was observed that, fOm~lO~~~.~~O(~~'~~)8"OU
9"0
for power levels where the asymmetrical
solution exista, the symmetrical solution Figure 4: Variation of the TM effective
is unstable, i.e. it is not maintained refractive index with guided
I
along the iterative scheme. This situation wave power.
is illustrated in Figure 3, which shows
the evclution of the solution with the Figure 4 shows, for the TM moda, the
iterative scheme. In this Figure it is variation of the effectiveO refractive
clearly seen that the symmetrical solution index with guided wave power in a

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Reylsta Brasileira de Aplicaes de Vcuo, Vol. 10, 0.2, 1991.

structure with the sarna parameters as that single value of the effectve index (~nd a
of Figure 2, with the exception of the electric field sing1e profi1e), but
fi 1m thickness and wavel ength , which are resulted in multiple va1ues, which are
now 1.0~m and 0.5145~m, respectively. periodic with respect to the iteratons.
Again, as the structure is physically Initially, period two 08cillations are
symmetrical, two solutions are possible, observed, which give placa to period four
one symmetrical and one asymmetrical. As osci1lations as the guided wave power
in the case of the TE moda, the increases , and then to period eight
symmetrical solution is unstable for power oscil1ations, and so on, until chaotic
levels where the asymmetrical s01ution oscillations appear. The boxed part of
exista. . Figure 5-a is enlarged in Figure 5-b,
showin; clearly the transition to chaos
In physica"y asymmetrical structures, throu;h period doub1ing.
only one solution exista, for both TE and
TM modas, which is stable for a11 ~ower The ana1ytical stationary s01ution of
le~e1s [9], [11]. In asymmetrica1 reference [7] and [13] was used as
structures the occurrence of hysteresi8 is comparison and main1y to help identifying
a180 p08sib1e, determined main1y by the stable and unstable solutions. Figure 6
fi1m thickne88 [9], [10]. shows two of the three branches 01 the
analytical, stationary solution for the
Figure 5-a shows the variation 01 the TE TE moda in the sarna waveguide as in
effective refractive index in a waveguide Figures 5.
whose parameters are: n =1957, n =0, n =
n =1.55, n = 2n = 2x{0. m2/W,2tt=2.0~m, 1.575
a~d the wavi'engt~Ois 0.515~m. The solid
1ine representa s01utions for which the
iterative scheme converged to a sing1e
value of the effective index and a sing1e ~1.570
"'O
profi1e for the e1ectric fie1d. The dotted c 11
1ines represent s01utions for whch the
iterative scheme dd not converge to a eu1.565
>
:o:;
1.566 o
(a) ~ 1.560
x ,..~ W
Q)1.564
"U ("" 1.555
C , 1'o_mn_2'O.
-- .-
1 Power (mW/mm)
Q) 1.562
> ,.,.,..::~
Figure 6: Analytical dispersion curve for
~ the TE 1 moda.
O
Q)1 .560
-
-
w
1.558 The effective refractive index and
1'2 1"9 2'O H -2'4 H 2'8 -n 3'2
electric field profile given by this
Power tmW /mm
H
)
analyticalsoluton were used as input
1.566 data for the eigenvalue problem and the
(b) iterative scheme. Identical resulta as in
Figures 5 were obtained. It was observed
1. that at 10w power levels, i.e. the initial
1.565 1
X ,-- .;
part of branch I in Figure 6, the solution
Q) ,. . -dh~
"U . .'
was maintained along the iterative scheme.
.E: 1 .564 ,."""
For power where the two branches exsted
smultaneously, period two oscillations
Q) '.", .:,
were observado The oscillation period
>
~ 1.563 ". ,.": 11 a
doubled alon; branch 11 as the guided wave
O " . '
t '.,t
'~'I': power increased. The second part of branch
Q)
- .
, . .."
I, altar the peak, showed .a different
W 1.562 :
.
!I,
I" behavior: altar a few iterations the ,

~ ""<:I Uk s01ution converged to values corresponding

to points on the other side of the branch
1.5612'4 :2:tr 2""""""'" :3'0""""" , 2 (before the peak). These results are
Power ~mW/mm) summarized in Figure 7, which shows the
evolution of the effective index with the
Figure 5: Bifurcation diagram for the iterative process, for certain power
variation of the TE effective 1evels.
refractive index ~ith guided
wave power. It ia interesting to note that anca the

38
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Revista Brasileira de Aplicaes de Vcuo, Volt 10, D.2, 1991.

oscillationsstart, points originally on

either branch fit the sarna bifurcation
diagram, as i Jlustrated in Figure 5-b, 1.566
where the squares correspond to points ( a) '
-- J -.o';.,.,""4
/'1
originally on branch I and the dota, to x 1.564
points originally on branch II.According Q)
"'O
to these resulta, the first part of branch "',.,'.'/~~
l, up to the power level where branch 11 .E:1.562
starts (solid line in Figures 5) is Q)
'~
considered as stable. The second part of .~
......
1.560
branch I, after the peak and not O
co-existing
as unstable.
with branch 11, is
All the rest of the
considered
solut;on
~
-.- 1.558
w ,_uu Reference (14)
;s considered as unstable and may follow a
route to chaos through period doubling as 1.556
1"'0""'2'0""'3'0"' "4'0 .. 5'0'" 'S' O-u7'O
the gu;ded wave power increases (dotted Power (mW/ mm )
lines in Figures 5).
1.566

1.565 1.566
(b)
x
Q)1.564
"'O
x 1.565
Q) , ' "',.
.'''
",,'.'i.
,.. I
"":. .
c 1.563 d -g 1.564
Q)
> 1.562
~

J~'I"11
" """"""""""""""""""""""'11 (1) 1,563 "'i'
, .
:;J r > "";,.-::
o
Q)1.561
-.-
'\,
~' C
t; 1.562 " ,
:i
,
-.- I
Q) ".,

w 1.560 :::: 1.561 , , '::::i: ~

w
- -~--_:.:_--:.:_-_:.:.-_:.: ---:.::8
1.559 1.5604'5 4'95'2- -- --5'6- - -5'9 6'3
Power (mW/mm)
Figure 7: Evolution of TE effective Figure 8: Bifurcation diagram for the
refractive index for points on var;ation of the TM effective
branch I of Figure 6. refractive index ~ith guided
(a)P=13.10346571mW!mm, initial ~!k :1.56470 wave powe r .
(b)P=15.02796935mW/mm, initial ~/ko:1.560
(C)P=18.18631152mW/mm, initial ~/ko:1.56465
(d)P=27.05117944mW!mm, init;al ~/ko:1.56422
o material. For the fundamental modas TE
and TM it was observed that hysteresig
can ocur and that, in physically
Figures 8 show a bifurcation d;agram for symmetrical structures, the symmetrical
the TM moda in a waveguide with the sarna solution is unstable. It was observed that
parameters as in Figures 5 and 6, except part of the solution for TE and TM modas
for n =n =1.0x10-9m2/w and the is unstable and followed a toute t01 chaos
wavelenth io 0.5145pm. Again it was through period doubling as the guided wave
observed that part of the solut;on was power increased. In general, the stability
unstable, dotted l;nes, and followed a characteristics of TE and TM waves are
route to chaos through period doubling as similar.
the guided wave power increased. Figure
8-a also shows resulta as read trem It is worth mentioning that the present
reference [14], which presente an solution can be applied to non Kerr-type
analytical, stationary solution for nonlinearities, as well as to structures
nonlinear TM waves. A very good agreement with a gradual low power refractive index
is seen for the stable part of the distribution. It can also be applied to
solution.As the analytical solution of multilayered structures.
reference [14] is stationary,it is unable
to predict the unstable parto As a final remark, the solutions hera
considered as stable showed excellent
agreement with the analytical, stationary
4. CONCLUSION solution found in the literatura. As not
much result is available in the literatura
A numerical solution was developed and concerning the stability characteristics
applied to the analysis of TE and TM waves of the higher arder modas, no comparison
in wavegu;des containing nonlinear could be made for the solutions hera

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 Revista Brasileira de Aplicaes de Vcuo, Vol. 10, 0.2, 1991.

consideredas unstable. Undoubtedly, more 7 - J. Ariyasu, C. T. Seaton, G. I.

investigation is required on this subject, Stegeman, e J. V. Moloney, IEEE J.
especially experimental investigation, in Quantum E7ectron., Vol. QE-22 , 1986,
arder to co~firm the theoretical and pp. 984-987.
numerical predictions.
8 - K. Hayata e M. Koshiba, Opto Lett. J
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:This work was supported Vol. 13, 1988, pp. 1041-1043.
by TELEBRAS through the contract
PUC-TELEBRAS 415/91. 9 - A. C. P. Zabeu, MSc Oissertation,
PUC/Rio, 1990 (in Portuguesa).
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20th European Microwave Conference,
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e H. G. Winful, Optica7 481-486.
Engineering, Vol. 24, 1985, pp.
593-599. 11 - A. C. P. Zabeu e J. R. Souza,
Microwave and Optica7 Techno7ogy
2 - C. K. R. T. Jones e J. V. Moloney, Lett., Vol. 3, 1990, pp. 298-302.
Phys. Lett. A, Vol. 11 7 , 1986 , pp.
175-180. 12 - B. M. A. Rahman, J. R. Souza, e J. B.
Davies, IEEE Photonics Techno7.
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Seaton, e G. I. Stegeman, App7. Phys.
Lett., Vol. 48, 1986, pp. 826-828. 13 - C. T. Seaton, J. Valera, R. L.
Shoemaker, G. I. Stegeman, J.
4 - J. V. Moloney, J. Ariyasu, C. T. Chilwell, e S. D. Smith,IEEE J.
Seaton ,e G. I. Stegeman, Opto Lett., Quantum E7ectron., Vol. QE-21, 1985,
Vol. 11, 1986, pp. 315-317. pp. 774- 783 .
I
I: 5 - L. Leine, Ch. Wachter, U. 14 - K. Ogusu, IEEE Trans. Microwave
Langbein, e F. Lederer, Opto Lett., Theoryand Tech., velo MTT-37 , pp
Velo 11, 1986, pp. 590-592. 941-946, 1989.
! 6 - L. Leine, Ch. Wachter, U.
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