A Simple Bi-directional Mode Expansion Propagation Algorithm Based on Modes of a Parallel-plate Waveguide

The bi-directional mode expansion propagation algorithm (BEP) is known to be an accurate and efficient method for modelling field distribution in high-index contrast waveguide structures with strong back-reflections like Bragg gratings and photonic crystals. The main difficulty of this method is that for lossy structures, the propagation constants of modes are to be searched in the complex plane. To speed-up this procedure, a two-step algorithm for eigenmode calculation based on the expansion into the modes of an empty metallic waveguide has recently been proposed. Proper truncation rules possessing good convergence of the expansion method for both TE and TM modes have also been recently published. In this contribution, both these approaches are combined in the development of an extremely simple version of the two-dimensional BEP method that makes use of the field expansion into the eigenmodes of a parallel-plate waveguide. The method is strictly reciprocal and appeared to be computationally reliable also for strongly lossy structures. High numerical stability is ensured using the scattering matrix formalism, and an efficient method of calculating Bloch modes for symmetric as well as asymmetric periodic waveguide structures is adopted. A wide range of applicability of the method is demonstrated by a few examples.     

Free wave propagation in two-dimensional periodic plates

The propagation of flexural waves in a two-dimensional periodic plate which rests on an orthogonal array of equi-spaced simple line supports has been investigated. A type of plane wave motion has been considered. An energy method has been developed to predict the frequency of wave propagation in terms of the propagation constants. A Galerkin type of analysis has been used, incorporating assumed complex modes of wave motion for the identical rectangular elements of the periodic plate. Expressions for the frequency have been obtained firstly by using simple polynomial modes for the plate displacements, and then (alternatively) by using characteristics beam function modes. The use of these different modes has first been demonstrated by applying them to the analysis of wave propagation in periodic beams. A single polynomial mode which satisfies the geometric and wave-boundary conditions of the periodic plate element leads to an elegant expression relating the frequency and the wave propagation constants in the first propagation band. The frequencies so obtained compare well with those found from a multi-mode, characteristic beam function analysis. The latter involves much more algebra, is solved as an eigenvalue problem, and yields the frequencies in as many propagation bands as are desired. The bounding frequencies and corresponding wave motions in the first and higher propagation bands have been identified, and it has been shown that the propagation bands can overlap. Consideration has been given to one-dimensional “strip” structures which are equivalent to the two-dimensional plate when a plane wave in a general direction is propagating. Furthermore, it is shown that the natural frequencies of finite rectangular periodic plates can be obtained very simply from the results of the wave propagation analysis.     

Modelisation de la propagation dans les fibres optiques

This paper presents a new method for investigating the effects of mode conversion due to microbends on the transmission characteristics (attenuation, frequency response ...) of multimode optical fibres. The method applies to both step-index and graded-index fibres and takes into account any dependence of the mode coupling coefficient upon propagation angle. The general theory of propagation with mode coupling is developed and we introduce the concept of modes. The propagation problem is then simplified by using hypotheses based on exerpimental results and the solution is obtained with the help of a computer. Practical results concerning the increase of attenuation due to microbends are presented, from which the precautions to be taken when cabling fibres are deduced. It is also shown that in every practical case encountered, the prediction of the total attenuation and of the frequency response of a given fibre, when the launching conditions are specified is obtained from analytical expressions which approximate well with the exact results obtained from the computer. All these results make the method powerful and very useful for system designers when evaluating the effect of introducing an optical fibre into a transmission system.     

Sound propagation in acoustically lined elliptical ducts

Sound propagation in ducts with elliptical cross-sections can be described in terms of modes characterized by Mathieu functions of orders specified by the boundary conditions. For ducts with locally reacting liners there is coupling between modes because the admissible solutions are linear combinations of Mathieu functions of different orders and the eigenvalues are roots of an infinite determinant. The amount of mode coupling depends on the eccentricity of the duct. For the case of small eccentricity of the duct, approximate general solutions are derived and an example is discussed, where solutions are found.     

A uniform approximation to the scattering and propagation problem for a stratified Bi-anisotropic slab

The scattering and propagation problem for time-harmonic waves in a stratified bi-anisotropic slab is considered. Based upon the identification of the left- and right-moving modes, and on a boundedness assumption concerning the space and frequency dependence of the physical parameters, a sequence of approximate solutions which converge absolutely and uniformly to the exact solution are derived. In particular, if the magnetoelectric coupling is small and the permittivity and permeability vary slowly, the approximate solutions converge so fast that the first approximation already gives a satisfactory approximation. With the present approximation method, approximate solutions valid for all frequencies can be obtained in explicit form.     

New generalized computations of quasi-planar waveguides characteristics

An efficient hybrid field solution to the general multilayer substrates transmission line problems with full shielded and half open cross-sectional geometry is presented by using the waveguide modes coupling and decoupling procedure in the spectral domain. Modal transverse transmission lines corresponding to the LSE and LSM modes are taken into account so that the Green's elements for the edge conditions can be derived by a simple iterative method. In this paper, we analyze not only the propagation constants and characteristic impedances but also the available transmission power capacity and power distribution of most commonly used structures. Normalized eigenmode power levels characterizing the propagation features are computed.     

Radiation field propagation in low-contrast single-mode optical waveguides

In short waveguides used in integrated optical circuits, the radiation field is often present in the guiding region of a waveguide as well as the guided modes. We show that this can be investigated efficiently by extracting the radiation part from the total input field and simulating its evolution along the waveguide by use of the beam propagation method. The results are presented for a single-mode waveguide and a waveguide junction excited by a Gaussian beam. For a noncentred excitation, a considerable fraction of the radiation power is still in the guiding region after propagation over several tens of micrometres, and can be coupled to guided modes past the junction.     

Two-frequency mutual coherence function for electromagnetic pulse propagation over rough surfaces

The propagation of a transient electromagnetic pulse over irregular terrain is considered. We model the wave propagation using the parabolic wave equation, which is valid for near-horizontal propagation. We model the effect of scattering from the rough terrain by introducing a surface-flattening coordinate transform. This coordinate transform simplifies the boundary condition of our problem, and introduces an effective refractive index into our wave equation. As a result, the problem of propagation over an irregular surface becomes equivalent to the problem of propagation through random media. The parabolic equation is solved analytically using the path integral method. Both vertically polarized and horizontally polarized signals are treated. Cumulant expansion is introduced to obtain an approximate expression for the two-frequency mutual coherence function. From the mutual coherence function, spatial and temporal dependence of the propagating signal can be determined. It can be shown that scattering from the irregular surface can cause broadening of the transient signal. This can have a significant impact on the performance of radio communication systems.     

A Modified full-vectorial finite-difference beam propagation method based on H-fields for optical waveguides with step-index profiles

A modified full-vectorial finite-difference beam propagation method based on H-fields in solving the guided-modes for optical waveguides with step-index profiles is described. The propagation is split into two substeps. In the first substep, the field propagates in the absence of the cross-coupling terms, and then they are evaluated and double used in the second substep. An improved six-point finite-difference scheme is constructed to approximate the cross-coupling terms along the transverse directions. By using the imaginary-distance procedure, the field patterns and the normalized propagation constants of the fundamental modes for a buried rectangular waveguide and rib waveguide are presented, and the hybrid nature of the full-vectorial guided-modes is demonstrated. Solutions are in good agreement with the benchmark results from film mode matching method, which tests the validity and utility of the present method.     

Determination of wavefront aberrations using a Fabry-Perot cavity

A new method for detecting wavefront aberrations using a Fabry-Perot cavity is described. A Fabry-Perot cavity transmits the cavity eigenmode which satisfies a resonance condition, while the other modes are reflected from the cavity. Utilizing this mode discrimination property, we can extract aberration components from incident aberrated light as reflected light from the cavity. Under the condition of a weak aberration, the amplitude profile of the reflected light can be approximated to the wavefront aberration. We can therefore determine the wavefront aberrations in a visualized form with the technique. We present the detection scheme and the first experimental verification of the technique. The detected aberration using this technique was in good agreement with the result on the basis of a conventional wavefront sensor.     

Two-frequency mutual coherence function for electromagnetic pulse propagation over rough surfaces

The propagation of a transient electromagnetic pulse over irregular terrain is considered. We model the wave propagation using the parabolic wave equation, which is valid for near-horizontal propagation. We model the effect of scattering from the rough terrain by introducing a surface-flattening coordinate transform. This coordinate transform simplifies the boundary condition of our problem, and introduces an effective refractive index into our wave equation. As a result, the problem of propagation over an irregular surface becomes equivalent to the problem of propagation through random media. The parabolic equation is solved analytically using the path integral method. Both vertically polarized and horizontally polarized signals are treated. Cumulant expansion is introduced to obtain an approximate expression for the two-frequency mutual coherence function. From the mutual coherence function, spatial and temporal dependence of the propagating signal can be determined. It can be shown that scattering from the irregular surface can cause broadening of the transient signal. This can have a significant impact on the performance of radio communication systems.     

Modeling of Kerr nonlinear photonic components with mode expansion

We present an efficient numerical technique to simulate the third order Kerr effect in wavelength scale dielectric structures by expanding upon the eigenmode expansion method. A two-dimensional spatial grid models the intensity dependent refractive index. By performing an iteration of linear eigenmode calculations, this index grid converges to the rigorous continuous-wave nonlinear solution. Because the underlying eigenmode tool is bidirectional, feedback effects such as bistability can be calculated. We describe the influence of grid size, quantitative agreement with the literature and a photonic crystal switch. The differences with other methods, such as finite-difference time-domain and beam propagation method, are discussed.     

非均匀圆柱壳中非线性波传播模型的同伦分析解法

圆柱形壳中非线性波传播问题的研究具有重要的理论和现实意义.本文用同伦分析方法,研究了描述非均匀圆柱壳中非线性波传播的一种新模型,得到了该模型的高精度近似孤波解和周期波解.这表明同伦分析方法是研究非线性波传播问题的一种十分有效的方法.     

An improved multimodal method for sound propagation in nonuniform lined ducts

An efficient method is proposed for modeling time harmonic acoustic propagation in a nonuniform lined duct without flow. The lining impedance is axially segmented uniform, but varies circumferentially. The sound pressure is expanded in term of rigid duct modes and an additional function that carries the information about the impedance boundary. The rigid duct modes and the additional function are known a priori so that calculations of the true liner modes, which are difficult, are avoided. By matching the pressure and axial velocity at the interface between different uniform segments, scattering matrices are obtained for each individual segment; these are then combined to construct a global scattering matrix for multiple segments. The present method is an improvement of the multimodal propagation method, developed in a previous paper [Bi et al., J. Sound Vib. 289, 1091-1111 (2006)]. The radial rate of convergence is improved from O(n(-2)), where n is the radial mode indices, to O(n(-4)). It is numerically shown that using the present method, acoustic propagation in the nonuniform lined intake of an aeroengine can be calculated by a personal computer for dimensionless frequency K up to 80, approaching the third blade passing frequency of turbofan noise.     

一种新颖的用于光腔模式及光束传输模拟的特征向量法

根据有限元法单元划分的思想，提出了一种新颖的模拟光腔模式及光束传输的特征向量法. 该方法的关键之处在于基于衍射积分理论构造了一种新的光束传输矩阵，通过求解特征矩阵方程可一次性得到谐振腔的一系列特征向量，每一列特征向量即代表了腔镜上光场的一个确定模式的振幅及相位分布. 并可采用该方法模拟光场传输到腔内或腔外任意地方的场分布. 该方法将传统方法中大量的迭代过程转化成为本征积分方程特征向量的求解过程，并与初值取值无关，且可一次性求得多个模式分布，从而可方便地分析谐振腔的模式鉴别能力. 特征向量法对圆形镜共焦 关键词： 谐振腔 特征向量法 模式分布     

Guided wave propagation and mode differentiation in hollow cylinders with viscoelastic coatings

Guided wave propagation theories have been widely explored for about one century. Earlier theories on single-layer elastic hollow cylinders have been very beneficial for practical nondestructive testing on piping and tubing systems. Guided wave flexural (nonaxisymmetric) modes in cylinders can be generated by a partial source loading or any nonaxisymmetric discontinuity. They are especially important for guided wave mode control and defect analysis. Previous investigations on guided wave propagation in multilayered hollow cylindrical structures mostly concentrate on the axisymmetric wave mode characteristics. In this paper, the problem of guided wave propagation in free hollow cylinders with viscoelastic coatings is solved by a semianalytical finite element (SAFE) method. Guided wave dispersion curves and attenuation characteristics for both axisymmetric and flexural modes are presented. Due to the fact that dispersion curve modes obtained from SAFE calculations are difficult to differentiate from each other, a mode sorting method is established to distinguish modes by their orthogonality. Theoretical proof of the orthogonality between guided wave modes in a viscoelastic coated hollow cylinder is provided. Wave structures are also calculated and discussed in view of wave mechanics in multilayered cylindrical structures containing viscoelastic materials.     

Application of the Beilis-Tappert parabolic equation method to sound propagation over irregular terrain

The Beilis-Tappert (1979) parabolic equation method is attractive for irregular terrain because it treats surface variations in terms of a simple multiplicative factor ("phase screen"). However, implementing the exact sloping-surface impedance condition is problematic if one wants the computational efficiency of a Fourier parabolic equation algorithm. This article investigates an approximate flat-ground impedance condition that allows the Beilis-Tappert phase screen method to be used with a Fourier algorithm without any added complications. The exact sloping-surface impedance condition is derived and applied to propagation predictions over hills with maximum slopes from 5° to 22°. The predictions with the exact impedance condition are compared to predictions using the approximate flat-ground impedance condition. It is found that for slopes less than 15°-20°, the flat-ground impedance condition is sufficiently accurate. For slopes greater than approximately 20°, the limiting factor on numerical accuracy is not the flat-ground impedance approximation, but rather the narrow-angle approximation required by the Beilis-Tappert method. Thus, within the 20° limitation and using the flat-ground impedance condition with a Fourier parabolic equation, sound propagation over irregular terrain can be computed simply, efficiently, and accurately.     

Numerical stable determination of Floquet-modes and the application to the computation of band structures

Periodic structures like Bragg-gratings are important components of optical circuits. The analysis of these devices can be done very efficiently by combining eigenmode propagation methods with Floquet's theorem. A particular problem is the determination of the Floquet modes. Transfer matrix formulas are stable only in case of low losses and when the length of the periods is not too big. A stable method, also in the mentioned cases, is presented in this paper. Reflection coefficients are transformed from the output of a periodic segment to its input and the fields are computed in opposite direction. By this, the exponential increasing terms, which lead to the numerical problems are avoided. The formulas are applied to determine eigenmodes in various waveguide structures. Particular periodic structures are photonic crystals (PC), who have very promising features. For tailoring these PCs the knowledge of the band structure is required. With the Floquet modes that have been determined before this band structure has been calculated. A comparison with the literature showed a very good agreement.     

Outdoor sound propagation under the influence of wind and temperature gradients

The situation investigated is sound propagation from a monopole point source located over an impedance surface. The sound propagation is assumed to be influenced by wind and temperature gradients. A very accurate calculation method for taking into account the effect of wind and temperature gradients on sound propagation outdoors is presented and used for verification of a new approximate calculation model. This comparison shows that the approximate model is accurate. A series of loudspeaker measurements has been carried out over a grass-covered ground for distances up to 80 m. The measurements were carried out for a wind speed fo 2–2·5 m/s measured 10 m above the ground. The measured data agree very well with the calculated results. Furthermore the results from the approximate calculation model agree with results from previous investigations [1,2]. Hence, the main conclusion is that a simple and powerful approximate model for sound propagation under the influence of wind and temperature gradients has been developed. However, the influence of turbulence is not taken into account in this paper, and the wind and temperature gradients are assumed to be constant as functions of height.     

Comment on "Three-dimensional finite element modeling of guided ultrasound wave propagation in intact and healing long bones," [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 121(6), 3907-3921 (2007)

Protopappas et al. performed finite element (FE) studies on the propagation of guided ultrasound waves in intact and healing long bones, and found that the dispersion of guided modes was significantly influenced by the irregularity and anisotropy of the bone. A time-frequency (t-f) method was applied to the obtained signals and several wave modes were identified. However, this technique was unable to quantify their observations and provide monitoring capabilities. One possible reason of this shortcoming may come from the inherent disadvantage of the t-f method. The objective of this comment is to demonstrate that it is necessary to combine other techniques with FE simulations for the extraction of significant quantitative ultrasonic features. Individual guided modes in an isotropic pipe have been theoretically examined using the normal mode expansion (NME) method, and many modes that are missed by the t-f analysis have been identified. It is concluded that in order to extract quantitative ultrasonic features, FE simulations should be supplemented by other techniques such as the NME.