Harmonic oscillation in a spatially finite array waveguide

A waveguide array is presented that behaves as an oscillator, showing periodic image reconstruction, focusing, and transverse wave-packet oscillation. The oscillator has a finite width, which removes the need for premature truncation. The array waveguide oscillator shows properties analogous to those of a pedagogically important one-dimensional quantum harmonic oscillator, which are fundamentally different from previously demonstrated oscillations in Wannier-Stark waveguide arrays. Calculations of the entire array waveguide oscillator are presented that quantify higher-order corrections to the coupled-mode approach. These results can be extended to waveguide oscillators in other systems, such as electrons in superlattices. (C) 2004 Optical Society of America.