The invention relates to the field of coupled waveguide arrays and, more specifically, to waveguide arrays comprising several coupled waveguides approximately parallel and oriented in the guiding direction. All the waveguides comprise a first area composed of coupled waveguides according to a first coupling coefficient.

The invention concerns the domain of integrated optics and photonic integrated circuits. A new way to make use of waveguide coupling allows for control, deviation, focusing and routing of optical beams formed in waveguide arrays. The approach gives rise to both passive and active devices, all-optical in principle but possibly controllable by any external parameter.