Propagation of TM waves in a layer with arbitrary nonlinearity

A boundary value problem for Maxwell’s equations describing propagation of TM waves in a nonlinear dielectric layer with arbitrary nonlinearity is considered. The layer is located between two linear semi-infinite media. The problem is reduced to a nonlinear boundary eigenvalue problem for a system of second-order nonlinear ordinary differential equations. A dispersion equation for the eigenvalues of the problem (propagation constants) is derived. For a given nonlinearity function, the dispersion equation can be studied both analytically and numerically. A sufficient condition for the existence of at least one eigenvalue is formulated.