Nonlinear beam interactions in semi-infinite waveguide arrays

The interactions between coherent beams launched near the interface of one-dimensional semi-infinite Kerr-type nonlinear waveguide arrays have been theoretically investigated. We have explored the effect of the input intensities, the relative phase of the optical beams, and the modulation of the refractive index of the optical lattices on nonlinear beam interaction dynamics. For in-phase beams with different incident intensities, the highly-localized spatial soliton was dragged in a discrete fashion by a low-intensity diffracting beam. Anomalous fusion of two out-of-phase beams, and energy exchange between the excited channels were observed at high intensities. The possibility of employing nonlinear interactions for optical signal re-addressing, all-optical switching is also discussed. ► Interaction of discrete surface solitons in optical lattices. ► Nonlinear beam dynamics at lattice heterointerfaces. ► All-optical discrete surface soliton steering.