Simulation of light propagation in planar-integrated free-space optics

A Fourier transform based beam propagation method is described to simulate light propagation in planar-integrated free space optics. Wide angle beam p ropagation is modified to minimize the required space-bandwidth product and the required computational load with suitable coordinate transforms. To mo del diffraction at perfectly conducting and dielectric surfaces the extende d Kirchhoff approximation is employed. This model accounts for diffraction effects in typical configurations of planar integrated optics, where the th in element approximation fails to provide an accurate description. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.