Tool · Photonic integrated circuits

Waveguide Mode Explorer

Solve the guided modes of a slab waveguide exactly, from the transcendental dispersion relation, and watch what the numbers mean: mode profiles with their evanescent tails, the n_eff versus thickness map that locates every cutoff, and the field itself propagating at its own phase velocity. TE and TM, any index combination, every parameter continuous.

Structure

Platform preset

Indices at 1550 nm, held constant with wavelength: this tool shows waveguide dispersion only.

Core thickness t (nm)

Wavelength λ (nm)

Core index n_f

Substrate index n_s

Cover index n_c

Guided modes need n_eff above both n_s and n_c. The higher of the two sets the cutoff.

Polarization

Guided modes at this point

Select a mode to inspect it in the profile, field view, and readouts.

Learn with it

Four two-minute experiments. Each one sets the controls, tells you where to look, and asks you to predict before it shows you.

Mode profile

n_eff versus thickness · the cutoff map

Each curve is one mode. A curve is born at the substrate line (its cutoff) and climbs toward the core index as the guide thickens. The amber marker column is the current thickness.

Field view · propagation

Readouts · selected mode

Checked against

These validation rows run in your browser on every load: the solver's answers are pushed back through the exact dispersion relation and against closed-form limits.

Check	Expected	Computed