Localization properties and the effects on multi-mode switching in discrete mode CCWs

The different localization properties of one-dimensional discrete mode coupled cavity waveguides (CCWs) from those of continuous band CCWs are investigated. The results show that, for the continuous spectrum CCWS, the localized intensities in all the cavities are on the same level. While for the discrete mode CCWs, the localized intensities are two orders of difference. When Kerr nonlinearities are introduced into the cavities for multi-mode switching operations, the effects of localization on the switching efficiencies and thresholds are investigated, and the optimized nonlinear cavities for uniform thresholds multi-mode switchings are found.