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We present a detailed and rigorous analysis of finite-size coupled-cavity optical waveguides (CCWs) -practical elements with tunable characteristics that enable guiding, routing, slowing and storing light. We discuss recent advances in design, fabrication, and applications of such structures and study mode coupling and guiding mechanisms in straight and curved CCW sections composed of optical cavities with sizes above, on and below optical wavelength. Possible ways to reduce or compensate radiation and absorption losses are proposed. These include optimal tuning of the waveguide bend geometry and exploring new classes of hybrid photonic-plasmonic mesoscale guiding structures. Application of plasmonic nanocavity arrays as optical-microcavity-coupled end-structures for focusing and channelling optical energy to single atoms, molecules, and nano-emitters is also discussed.

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We present a comprehensive numerical study of light transport through bends and branches of coupled resonator optical waveguides (CROWs) composed of side-coupled wavelength-size whispering-gallery (WG) mode microdisk resonators. This study aims to reveal the underlying mechanisms of WG-mode coupling in finite-size aperiodic CROW sections. Understanding of these mechanisms offers ways to reduce CROW bend losses and to design tunable and switchable optical components based on CROWs. We show that by properly choosing the radius of the microdisk positioned at the CROW bend at the pre-fabrication design stage significant reduction of bend losses for any chosen CROW bend angle can be achieved. Furthermore, we demonstrate a possibility of using thermo-optically or electro-optically tunable microdisks for post-fabrication tuning of CROW bends and for realization of switching in branched CROW sections.