Nonlinear Bloch modes, optical switching and Bragg solitons in tightly coupled micro-ring resonator chains

We study nonlinear wave phenomena in coupled ring resonator optical waveguides in the tight coupling regime. A discrete model for the system dynamics is put forward and its steady-state nonlinear Bloch modes are derived. The switching behaviour of the transmission system is addressed numerically and the results are explained in the light of this analytical result. We also present a numerical study on the spontaneous generation of Bragg solitons from a continuous-wave input. (paper)