Novel spatial solitons in light-induced photonic bandgap structures

The study of wave propagation in periodic systems is at the frontiers of physics, from fluids to condensed matter physics, and from photonic crystals to Bose-Einstein condensates. In optics, a typical example of periodic system is a closely-spaced waveguide array, in which collective behavior of wave propagation exhibits many intriguing phenomena that have no counterpart in homogeneous media. Even in a linear waveguide array, the diffraction property of a light beam changes due to evanescent coupling between nearby waveguide sites, leading to normal and anomalous discrete diffraction. In a nonlinear waveguide array, a balance between diffraction and self-action gives rise to novel localized states such as spatial “discrete solitons” in the semi-infinite (or total-internal-reflection) gap or spatial “gap solitons” in the Bragg reflection gaps. Recently, in a series of experiments, we have “fabricated” closely-spaced waveguide arrays (photonic lattices) by optical induction. Such photonic structures have attracted great interest due to their novel physics, link to photonic crystals, as well as potential applications in optical switching and navigation. In this review article, we present a brief overview on our experimental demonstrations of a number of novel spatial soliton phenomena in light-induced photonic bandgap structures, including self-trapping of fundamental discrete solitons and more sophisticated lattice gap solitons. Much of our work has direct impact on the study of similar discrete phenomena in systems beyond optics, including sound waves, water waves, and matter waves (Bose-Einstein condensates) propagating in periodic potentials.     

Novel spatial solitons in light-induced photonic bandgap structures

The study of wave propagation in periodic systems is at the frontiers of physics, from fluids to condensed matter physics, and from photonic crystals to Bose-Einstein condensates. In optics, a typical example of periodic system is a closely-spaced waveguide array, in which collective behavior of wave propagation exhibits many intriguing phenomena that have no counterpart in homogeneous media. Even in a linear waveguide array, the diffraction property of a light beam changes due to evanescent coupling between nearby waveguide sites, leading to normal and anomalous discrete diffraction. In a nonlinear waveguide array, a balance between diffraction and self-action gives rise to novel localized states such as spatial “discrete solitons” in the semi-infinite (or total-internal-reflection) gap or spatial “gap solitons” in the Bragg reflection gaps. Recently, in a series of experiments, we have “fabricated” closely-spaced waveguide arrays (photonic lattices) by optical induction. Such photonic structures have attracted great interest due to their novel physics, link to photonic crystals, as well as potential applications in optical switching and navigation. In this review article, we present a brief overview on our experimental demonstrations of a number of novel spatial soliton phenomena in light-induced photonic bandgap structures, including self-trapping of fundamental discrete solitons and more sophisticated lattice gap solitons. Much of our work has direct impact on the study of similar discrete phenomena in systems beyond optics, including sound waves, water waves, and matter waves (Bose-Einstein condensates) propagating in periodic potentials.      

Observation of coherent destruction of tunneling and unusual beam dynamics due to negative coupling in three-dimensional photonic lattices

We demonstrate coherent destruction of tunneling (CDT) in optically induced three-dimensional photonic lattices. By fine-tuning the lattice modulation, we show unusual behavior of beam propagation, including light tunneling inhibition, anomalous diffraction, and negative refraction mediated by zero or negative coupling in the waveguide arrays. Image transmission based on CDT is also proposed and demonstrated. Our experimental results are in good agreement with our theoretical analyses.     

Multicore, tapered optical fiber for nonlinear pulse reshaping and saturable absorption

We present a new method to create a coupled waveguide array via tapering a seven-core telecommunications fiber. The fiber based waveguide array is demonstrated to exhibit the novel physics associated with coupled waveguide arrays, such as discrete diffraction and discrete self-focusing. The saturable absorber characteristics of the device are characterized and an autocorrelation measurement reveals significant single-pass pulse reshaping.     

Diffraction of electromagnetic radiation near an interface between discrete positive and negative refractive media

The discrete diffraction of electromagnetic waves near the interface between two different media formed by waveguide arrays is studied. One of the arrays consists of waveguides made of a positive index material; the other, of waveguides made of a negative index material. The refraction of a beam resulting from diffraction at the interface obeys an analog of Snell’s law.     

Light diffraction features in an ordered monolayer of spheres

The structure and optical diffraction properties of monolayers of monodisperse spheres crystallized on transparent dielectric substrates are studied. Two types of diffraction phenomena are considered: surface light diffraction on the lattice of spheres and waveguide resonances in the monolayer plane. For experimental study of these phenomena, optical retroreflection and transmission spectra are measured as functions of the light incidence angle and azimuthal orientation of the incidence plane. The monolayer structures determined by scanning electron microscopy and light diffraction methods are in quantitative agreement. It is concluded that one-dimensional Fraunhofer diffraction is applicable to describe surface diffraction in the hexagonal lattice of spheres. In the case of oblique light incidence, anisotropy of diffraction and transmission spectra depending on the light incidence plane orientation with respect to the sphere lattice and linear polarization of incident light is detected. Waveguide resonances of the planar two-dimensional photonic crystal are approximated within the light diffraction model in the “empty” hexagonal lattice. The best approximation of the waveguide resonance dispersion is achieved using the effective refractive index, depending on the wavelength. Surface diffraction suppression by waveguide resonances of the photonic crystal is demonstrated. Surface diffraction orders are identified as diffraction at singular points of the Brillouin zone of the planar twodimensional photonic crystal.     

Enhanced transmission through periodic arrays of subwavelength holes: the role of localized waveguide resonances

By using the rigid full-vectorial three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain method, we show that the enhanced transmission through a metallic film with a periodic array of subwavelength holes results from two different resonances: (i) localized waveguide resonances where each air hole can be considered as a section of metallic waveguide with both ends open to free space, forming a low-quality-factor resonator, and (ii) well-recognized surface plasmon resonances due to the periodicity. These two different resonances can be characterized from electromagnetic band structures in the structured metal film. In addition, we show that the shape effect in the enhanced transmission through the Au film with subwavelength holes is attributed to the localized waveguide resonance.     

Influence of parameters on light propagation dynamics in optically induced planar waveguide arrays

The diffraction and refraction of light beam in optical periodic structures can be determined by the photonic band-gap structures of spatial frequency. In this paper, by employing the equation governing the nonlinear light propagations in photorefractive crystals, we study the photonic band-gap structures, Bloch modes, and light transmission properties of optically induced planar waveguide arrays. The relationship between the photonic band-gap structures and the light diffraction characteristics is discussed in detail. Then the influence of the parameters of planar waveguide arrays on the band-gaps structures, Bloch modes, and linear light transmissions is analyzed. It is revealed that the linear light transmission properties of waveguide arrays are tightly related to the diffraction relationships determined by band-gap structures. And the Bloch modes corresponding to different transmission bands can be excited by different excitation schemes. Both the increases of the intensity and the period of the array writing beam will lead to the broadening of the forbidden gaps and the concentration of the energy of the Bloch modes to the high-index regions. Furthermore, the broadening of the forbidden gaps will lead to separation and transition between the Bloch modes of neighboring bands around the Bragg angle. Additionally, with the increase of the intensity of the array writing beams, the influences from light intensity will tend to be steady due to the saturation of the photorefractive effect. Supported by the Youth for Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU) Teachers Scientific and Technological Innovation Foundation, the NPU Foundation for Fundamental Research, and the Doctorate Foundation of NPU (Grant No. CX200514)     

The influence of 3-photon absorption and pulse interactions on discrete X-waves in normally dispersive waveguide arrays

In this paper, we investigate the influences of 3-photon absorption on discrete X-waves in nonlinear normally dispersive waveguide arrays. It is found that 3-photon absorption can cause the decrease of the total power, which results in the appearances of the discrete diffraction for an intermediate input peak-power and the discrete X-wave for a higher input peak-power. Also, the interaction between pulses for different waveguide excitation are studied in detail. The results show that for the in-phase waveguide excitation of neighboring channels, the bound states can be formed by choosing properly the initial peak-power; for the in-phase waveguide excitation of distant channels, however, the bound states can not be formed. For the out-of-phase multiple waveguide excitation, due to interplay the repulsive force and nonlinearity, the interaction of two pulses can form the X-like wave or the double X-like wave as long as choosing the proper input peak-power.     

Anisotropic diffraction and elliptic discrete solitons in two-dimensional waveguide arrays

We demonstrate that both the linear (diffraction) and the nonlinear dynamics of two-dimensional waveguide arrays are considerably more complex and versatile than their one-dimensional counterparts. The discrete diffraction properties of these arrays can be effectively altered, depending on the propagation Bloch k-vector within the first Brillouin zone of the lattice. In general, this diffraction behavior is anisotropic and therefore permits the existence of a new class of discrete elliptic solitons in the nonlinear regime.     

Emission of a single normal wave by a vertical discrete linear array in the Pekeris waveguide

The problem of emission of a single normal wave by a vertical discrete linear array in the Pekeris waveguide is studied. The array aperture is less than the waveguide thickness. The sound energy is emitted into the discrete and continuous spectra.     

Surface plasmon-waveguide hybrid polymer light-emitting devices using hexagonal Ag dots

We investigated surface plasmon-waveguide hybrid resonances for enhancement of light emission in polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs). Hybrid waveguide-plasmon resonances in the visible range for waveguide mode and near IR range for surface plasmons were observed by incorporation of hexagonal Ag dot arrays. Considerable overlap between the emission wavelength of the PLEDs and the waveguide mode by an Ag dot array with a lattice constant of 500 nm was observed. Because of enhanced light extraction by Bragg scattering of waveguide modes, photoluminescence (PL) and electroluminescence (EL) were increased by 70% and 50%, respectively.     

Interaction of counterpropagating discrete solitons in a nonlinear one-dimensional waveguide array

We experimentally investigate the interaction of counterpropagating discrete solitons in a one-dimensional waveguide array in photorefractive lithium niobate. While for low input powers only weak interaction and formation of counterpropagating vector solitons are observed, for higher input powers a growing instability results in discrete lateral shifting of the formed discrete solitons. Numerical modeling shows the existence of three different regimes: stable propagation of vector solitons at low power, instability for intermediate power levels leading to discrete shifting of the two discrete solitons, and an irregular temporal dynamic behavior of the two beams for high input power.     

Diatoms as living photonic crystals

We present an analysis of the optical structure of a representative diatom, Coscinodiscus granii. The silica cell wall can be regarded as a photonic crystal slab waveguide with moderate refractive-index contrast. In a cell, at least two different patterns are found: a hexagonal array of pores with a large lattice constant in the valve, and a square array of holes with a small lattice constant in the girdle. It is demonstrated that light can be coupled into the waveguide and that there are some photonic resonances in the visible spectral range, which have been determined by band-structure calculations. PACS 42.70.Qs; 87.17.-d     

Wavelength-addressed intra-board optical interconnection by plug-in alignment with a micro hole array

Intra-board interconnection between optical waveguide channels is suitable for assembling high-speed optoelectronic printed wiring boards (OE-PWB). Here, we propose a novel optical interconnection method combining techniques for both wavelength-based optical waveguide addressing and plug-in optical waveguide alignment with a micro-hole array (MHA). This array was fabricated by the mask transfer method. For waveguide addressing, we used a micro passive wavelength selector (MPWS) module, which is a type of Littrow mount monochromator consisting of an optical diffraction grating, a focusing lens, and the MHA. From the experimental results, we found that the wavelength addressing operation of the MPWS module was effective for intra-board optical interconnection.     

Gap solitons in defocusing lithium niobate binary waveguide arrays fabricated by proton implantation and selective light illumination

Photovoltaic photorefractive binary waveguide arrays are fabricated by proton implantation and selective light illumination on top of an iron-doped near stoichiometric lithium niobate crystal. Linear discrete diffraction and nonlinear formation of gap solitons were investigated by single-channel excitation using Gaussian light beams coupled into either wide or narrow waveguide channels. The results show that, at low power, linear light propagation leads to discrete diffraction, whilst for higher input power the focusing mechanism dominates, finally leading to the formation of gap solitons in the binary waveguide arrays. Our simulation of light propagation based on a nonlinear beam propagation method confirms the experimental findings.     

Discrete solitons in inhomogeneous waveguide arrays

The existence and dynamical properties of discrete solitons in inhomogeneous waveguide arrays with a Kerr nonlinearity are studied in two different configurations. First we investigate the effect of a longitudinal periodic modulation of the coupling strength on the dynamics of discrete solitons. It is shown that resonances of internal modes of the soliton with the longitudinal structure may lead to soliton oscillations and decay. Second we study the existence and stability of discrete solitons in arrays exhibiting a linear variation of the waveguide effective index in the transverse direction. We find that resonant coupling between conventional discrete solitons and linear Wannier-Stark states leads to the formation of so-called hybrid discrete solitons.     

Power emitted by a vertical compensated linear array in a Pekeris waveguide

An expression is derived for the acoustic power emitted by a vertical compensated discrete linear array in a Pekeris waveguide. The sound field is represented by the sum of a discrete spectrum and a continuous one. We consider the dependence of the power emitted by the array on both the number of array elements and the array compensation angle.     

Anomalous refraction and diffraction in discrete optical systems

We experimentally prove that light propagation in a discrete system, i.e., an array of coupled waveguides, exhibits striking anomalies. We show that refraction is restricted to a cone, irrespective of the initial tilt of the beam. Diffraction can be controlled in size and sign by the input conditions. Diffractive beam spreading can even be arrested and diverging light can be focused. The results can be thoroughly theoretically explained.     

Frequency control of surface plasmons with oscillating metal-insulator-metal waveguides

A single frequency of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) will be converted to many discrete frequencies as they are transmitted through a metal-insulator-metal waveguide with its core width undergoing a harmonic oscillation. The process of the frequency conversion shares many key properties with the light diffraction in discrete optical systems. By employing the conception of optical diffraction management, we can control the discrete frequencies of SPPs such as the intensity and spectrum width by changing the initial phase of the waveguide oscillation. The study bridges the spatial discrete diffraction and frequency transition of SPP modes. Theoretical analysis based on the effective index method and coupled mode theory is provided in detail.