Light propagation in two-dimensional waveguide arrays

This thesis introduces evanescently coupled femtosecond (fs) laser-written waveguides arrays as a new class of functionalized optical materials. With this approach, precise control of the entire properties of the propagating light becomes possible, which allows for the experimental demonstration of a variety of linear and nonlinear optical phenomena. In this work, the fabrication of large two-dimensional finite waveguide structures with sharp boundaries will be demonstrated. In addition, the linear and nonlinear response of these fabricated devices is characterized and analyzed in detail. It will be shown that fs laser written waveguide arrays are an important alternative to systems fabricated using common available techniques, in particular for the investigation of surface effects. The research done in this work provides the basis for further detailed experimental investigation of a variety of new effects requiring precisely controllable parameters such as light diffraction, nonlinearity and topology of the underlying medium. The fundamental investigations in this thesis allow for the realization of almost arbitrary integrated optical devices with which a variety of new fundamental research, as well as innovative applications, become possible.