Optical pulse propagation in the tight-binding approximation

We formulate the equations describing pulse propagation in a one-dimensiona l optical structure described by the tight binding approximation, commonly used in solid-state physics to describe electrons levels in a periodic pote ntial. The analysis is carried out in a way that highlights the corresponde nce with the analysis of pulse propagation in a conventional waveguide. Exp licit expressions for the pulse in the waveguide are derived and discussed in the context of the sampling theorems of finite-energy space and time sig nals. (C) 2001 Optical Society of America.