Vectorial extension of the Wave Propagation Method (VWPM)

Based on the wave propagation method [1] (WPM), introduced in 1993, this paper presents an extension to a fully vectorial treatment. The WPM, like the BPM, well known for waveguide simulations, decomposes the light propagation into a sequence of finite z-steps, but, unlike the BPM, is not restricted to the paraxial domain. The scalar WPM was verified for propagation angles up to 70 degrees. At these angles, polarisation effects due to Fresnel-related amplitude changes become significant, making a vectorial extension (VWPM) desirable. We present the theoretical approach and show some examples for verifying the new method. [1] K.-H. Brenner, W. Singer, Appl. Opt. 32, No. 26, 4984 - 4988, (1993)