title: Modes of nonlinear couplers: building blocks for physical insight.
abstract: The physics of nonlinear couplers is dictated by its normal modes, modes that are found from linear (axially uniform) couplers. Elementary power-flow arguments establish whether the mode is stable or unstable. These facts provide the bifurcation diagram that fully characterizes nonlinear coupling.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Snyder