We study the optical localized states in a one-dimensional system of strongly coupled defect microcavities for the case when a tight-binding approximation is not valid. Transmission and electromagnetic mode density spectra as well as the distribution of light intensity inside the bandgap material are investigated. We report on the effect of splitting the fundamental coupled-cavity mode into several high-Q submodes to support perfect transmission of light at low group-velocity values. New types of laser microcavities that provide low-threshold lasing at multiple wavelengths and in opposite directions are proposed. Possible implementation of the laser systems with active n–i–p–i layers is discussed
