Influence of refractive profile shape on the distribution of modal attenuation in planar structures with absorption cover

The paper illustrates the influence of refractive profile shape in a sensor planar structure on the distribution of modal attenuation. Depending on the shape of refractive profile, the dependence of modes attenuation on their order can be an increasing function, decreasing function or non-monotonic one. The problem is discussed basing on the example of parabolic, exponential, Gaussian and linear profiles of refractive index. For the linear refractive profile, we present the influence of the gradient of waveguide’s refractive index and the influence of the thickness and refractive index of sensitive layer on the distribution of modal attenuation. Theoretical predictions are experimentally verified for two different refractive profiles. Theoretical predictions are excellent agreement with experimental results.