Quasi-planar optics: computing light propagation and scattering in planar waveguide arrays

We analyze wave propagation in coupled planar waveguides, pointing specific attention to modal cross-talk and out-of-plane scattering in quasi-planar photonics. An algorithm capable of accurate numerical computation of wave coupling in arrays of planar structures is developed and illustrated on several examples of plasmonic and volumetric waveguides. An analytical approach to reduce or completely eliminate scattering and modal crosstalk in planar waveguides with anisotropic materials is also presented. (C) 2009 Optical Society of America