Abstract

It is well appreciated that arrays of coupled optical waveguides exhibit a similar dynamic as classical discrete systems, for example a chain of interacting molecules, but on an accessible spatial scale. However, besides such fundamental aspects very practical issues as e.g. the optimization of semiconductor laser arrays have moved into the focus of interest. It is known that in waveguide arrays effects can be re-established that are familiar from planar waveguides as the formation of spatial solitons. But owing to discreteness they show various features that are completely unknown in continuous optical systems. Here we report on an optical analog to the so-called Bloch oscillations of the electric current in semiconductor superlattices with an applied DC voltage [1,2,3]. The corresponding optical system reveals peculiarities of the transition from a quasi-continuos to a discrete model.

© 1998 Optical Society of America