On the scalar modal analysis of optical waveguides using approximate methods

We have discussed the approximate methods which are used for obtaining scalar guided modes of optical waveguides. The methods include the perturbation method, the variational method including the Rayleigh–Ritz method, and the Galerkin and the collocation method. The main purpose of this paper is to discuss the inter-relationships and equivalences of these methods, and to bring out the fact that these relationships have, in fact, not been recognized in the guided wave optics literature, although in the numerical electromagnetics and applied mathematics literature some of these relationships are well known. We have also pointed out specific examples where, due to this lack of recognition of relationships, there are repetitions in the literature. In particular, we have noted that the Rayleigh–Ritz method and the Galerkin method have been used using the same set of basis functions for the same kind of waveguides without recognizing the existing literature. We have also reported for the first time an explicit relationship between the Galerkin method and the collocation method. This relationship also points out in which cases one method is more accurate and/or numerically efficient than the other. Another interesting relationship explored is that between the perturbation method and the variational method.