The invention relates to an optical system for opto-optical information processing, which can be used in the field of integrated optics, especially for light-controlled switching, branching light and regenerating optical signals in communications networks. The aim of the invention is to provide a means of processing optical signals simply and flexibly. The inventive optical system uses a waveguide array in which the individual waveguides are coupled evanescently. At least one signal beam of a known wavelength is coupled into the waveguide array at an angle which prevents the signal beam from being diffracted when passing through said waveguide array, with at least one control beam of a known wavelength. The signal beam and the control beam cross inside the waveguide array, so an influence can be exerted.