Assessment of coupled-mode theory for tapered optical coupler

The accuracy and the scope of validity of different coupled-mode formulations for a tapered optical waveguide coupler are assessed by comparison with the beam propagation method (BPM). It is demonstrated that the coupled-mode theory (CMT) based on local modes is valid only for small tilt angles, whereas an improved formulation that takes into account the wavefront-tilt effect yields highly accurate results for relatively large tilt angles. The radiation loss at the input and the output junctions can also be estimated by a simple mode-matching method combined with the improved CMT. The coherent coupling between two junctions,which is neglected in the coupled-mode formulations, is observed in the BPM simulations.