Use of generalized parameters for the description of dispersion characteristics of channel waveguides

Generalized parameters are proposed for the description of the dispersion characteristics of channel waveguides. It is shown that the use of these parameters facilitates greatly the solution of the dispersion equation and makes it possible to describe the results by a single family of curves applicable to all the modes. The usefulness of this representation is demonstrated by a calculation of the effective refractive indices, of the sequence in which modes appear, and of the range of existence of waveguides with a given number of modes. The results of these calculations are tested experimentally for LiNbO₃:Ti waveguides.