TRANSFER-MATRIX FUNCTION (TMF) FOR WAVE-PROPAGATION IN DIELECTRIC WAVE-GUIDES WITH ARBITRARY TRANSVERSE PROFILES

A transfer matrix function (TMF) is derived for the analysis of electr omagnetic (EM) wave propagation in dielectric waveguides with arbitrar y profiles, situated inside rectangular metal tubes. The TMF relates t he wave profile at the waveguide output to the (arbitrary profile) inp ut wave in the Laplace space. The TMF consists of the Fourier coeffici ents of the transverse dielectric profile and those of the input-wave profile, The method is applicable for inhomogeneous dielectric profile s with single or multiple maxima in the transverse plane. The TMF is u seful for the analysis of dielectric waveguides in the microwave and t he millimeter-wave regimes and for diffused optical waveguides in inte grated optics.