Complex finite difference method applied to the analysis of semiconductor lasers

It is shown that the finite difference method may be extended to study the propagation characteristics of optical waveguides whose cross-sections contain regions of complex local refractive index, representing gain or loss. Complex propagation constants are calculated for a range of stripe geometry laser structures and compared with those obtained from other methods. When used in conjunction with a simultaneous finite difference solution of the carrier rate equation, the complex optical waveguide method provides a powerful self-consistent laser model