Dynamical light control in longitudinally modulated segmented waveguide arrays

TL;DR

This paper explores how longitudinal modulation of refractive index in segmented waveguide arrays can dynamically control light propagation and localization, enabling precise light routing and switching.

Contribution

It introduces a method to manipulate light in waveguide arrays through out-of-phase longitudinal modulation, allowing for controlled localization and switching.

Findings

Light can be localized in specific waveguides by tuning modulation parameters.

Coupling strength varies along the propagation, enabling complex switching scenarios.

Control over light distribution among output guides is achieved through segment tuning.

Abstract

We address light propagation in segmented waveguide arrays where the refractive index is longitudinally modulated with an out-of-phase modulation in adjacent waveguides, so that the coupling strength varies along propagation direction. Thus in resonant segments coupling may be inhibited hence light remains localized, while in detuned segments coupling results in complex switching scenarios that may be controlled by stacking several resonant and nonresonant segments. By tuning the modulation frequency and lengths of waveguide segments one may control the distribution of light among the output guides, including loca-lizing all light in the selected output channel.