Confining light flow in weakly coupled waveguide arrays by structuring the coupling constant: towards discrete diffractive optics

Abstract

Structuring the coupling constant in coupled waveguide arrays opens up a new route towards molding and controlling the flow of light in discrete structures. We show coupled mode theory is a reliable yet very simple and practical tool to design and explore new structures of patterned coupling constant. We validate our simulation and technological choices by successful fabrication of appropriate III-V semiconductor patterned waveguide arrays. We demonstrate confinement of light in designated areas of one-dimensional semi-conductor waveguide arrays.

Couplonics Of Cyclic Ternary Systems: From Coupled Periodic Waveguides To Discrete Photonic Crystals

“…Moreover, it comes well within the framework of current research on discrete photonics based on coupled waveguides [11][12].…”

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“…In a general context this can be seen as the steps towards implementation of the so-called guidonics [21]. In that regard it is desirable to study the process of energy evolution in double-ring arrays on the basis of a rigorous theory.…”

Light-propagation management in coupled waveguide arrays: Quantitative experimental and theoretical assessment from band structures to functional patterns

“…In a further step, following the introduction of "defects" in arrays [13], we have proposed the systematic patterning of the coupling for engineering the propagation of guided light [14]. Inside this structured metamaterial, wave packets or "beams" can be redirected by interfaces [15,16], guided by channels [17], focused by lenslike patterns, steered by control beams, etc. This global framework, which we call "guidonics" in analogy to electronics or free-space optics, offers many beam management configurations and applications.…”