Calculation of the propagation constant of a laser mode in multilayer quantum-well heterostructures by the ‘incoming’ wave method

A new method for calculating the complex propagation constant and the lateral field distribution of a diode-laser mode is considered. The method utilises the energy balance for a wave incident on a waveguide structure. It makes it possible to reduce the procedure of finding the propagation constant on a complex plane to a search for solutions on segments of straight lines lying in this plane and parallel to the real axis. This reduces the computer time and makes it possible to carry out effective calculations for complex waveguide structures such as quantum-well laser heterostuctures.