Self-imaging and modulational instability in an array of periodically curved waveguides

Linear and nonlinear light propagation in an array of waveguides with a periodically bent axis is theoretically investigated. In the linear propagation regime, it is shown that a self-imaging effect at periodic planes may occur, a phenomenon analogous to that of dynamic localization observed when an electron in a periodic potential is subjected to an ac field. In the nonlinear propagation regime, it is shown that periodic waveguide bending under the self-imaging condition inhibits the phenomenon of discrete modulational instability.