Method of images in optical discrete systems

We show that optical wave propagation in discrete boundary geometries can be effectively analyzed using the method of images. Such semi-infinite and finite discrete systems include, for example, waveguide arrays as well as coupled resonator optical waveguides. In the linear domain, the diffraction properties of one- and two-dimensional bounded array structures are considered in detail. The possibility of using the method of images to numerically investigate nonlinear semi-infinite lattices is also discussed.