Abstract

In the present paper we describe the evolution of spatial solitary waves in an inhomogeneous array of nonlinear waveguides. Such a configuration can be implemented, e.g., by an appropriate arrangement of strip waveguides on a Ga_xAl_1-xAs wafer. This material exhibits a positive Kerr nonlinearity if we choose the frequency of operation below half its bandgap. We have depicted a scheme of the system considered in fig. 1: By means of a variational approach we obtain a set of equations for the evolution of the characteristic parameters of the spatial solitary wave under consideration. Since we avoid any continuum-approximation our results represent the best possible fit to the real solution that is achievable with the trial function used.

© 1995 Optical Society of America