Local field analysis of bent graded-index planar waveguides

A local field analysis is proposed for bent planar waveguides with arbitrary refractive index profiles. Exact vector wave equations that include the gradient index, or polarization correction, term are derived for both transverse electric and transverse magnetic modes from Maxwell's equations in a local bent coordinate system. The approximate local field and correction to the propagation constants are obtained by perturbation analysis. As an example of the method, an infinitely extended parabolic index profile is studied