Comparison of the results by the Matrix method and the Coupled wave method in analyzing Bragg Reflector structures

We compare the reflectivity spectrum and phase change of Bragg reflectors obtained by the matrix method and the coupled wave method. We show that the results obtained by the two methods agree well generally and the discrepancy between the results obtained by the two methods increases as the fractional refractive index difference between adjacent layers increases and/or the absorption loss increases, due to the approximations inherent in the coupled wave method for the analysis of multiple dielectric layers.