Method of equivalent refractive indices in multi-quantum-well waveguides with arbitrarily shaped base periods

A new formalism for equivalent refractive indices in multi-quantum-well (MQW) waveguides with arbitrarily shaped base periods, which uses the transfer matrix technique in the thin-film approximation, has been developed for TM and TE polarizations. It clearly illustrates the intrinsic birefringence feature and can be used to produce the dispersion relation of MQW waveguides in a way that is more straightforward than in previous methods.