Temporal differentiation of optical signals using resonant gratings

We study theoretically the possibility of performing temporal differentiation of optical signals using a resonant diffraction grating. We demonstrate that the resonant grating allows the calculation of the first-order derivative of an optical signal envelope in the vicinity of waveguide resonant frequencies in the zeroth transmitted diffraction order. The grating is shown to allow the calculation of the fractional derivative of order 1/2 in the vicinity of Rayleigh-Wood anomalies. Numerical simulations based on the rigorous coupled-wave analysis of Maxwell's equations demonstrate the high-quality differentiation of optical signals with temporal features in the picosecond range.     

A gradient method for design of multiorder varied-depth binary diffraction gratings

A method for the design of perfectly conducting varied-depth binary diffraction gratings is proposed. The design uses the rigorous modal expansion method and is based on the gradient search algorithm for optimization of grating structure from the condition of the generation of a desired array of diffraction orders. The designs of varied-depth binary gratings with equal order intensities are reported with an efficiency of more than 90% and root-mean square errors of 2–7%.     

Focusators into a ring

Using numerical and analytical approaches, we have computed the optical elements (focusators) required for focusing laser light into a narrow ring, a wide ring and a set of rings. A numerical comparison of the various computational techniques is reported. Finally the operation of a fabricated rotor axicon to focus light into a ring is reported.     

A Comparison of Two Variational Methods

A discussion is given of the relation between the maximum functionaltheorem and Schwinger's variational principle, and it is shownthat the bound given by Schwinger's principle is better thanor the same as that given by the maximum functional theorem.     

On the ability of resonant diffraction gratings to differentiate a pulsed optical signal

The passage of an optical pulse through a resonant grating is considered. The conditions under which the resonant grating differentiates the envelope of the incident pulse are determined. It is shown that the necessary condition for computing the k-order derivative is the presence of k resonances in the transmission spectrum of the grating in the vicinity of the central frequency of the incident pulse. A method is described for constructing the stacked structure for computing the kth derivative on the basis of repetition of the structure for computing the first derivative. The results of numerical simulation of diffraction of the pulse from the analyzed structure for computing the first, second, and third derivative are presented.     

Further Gurtin-type Variational Principles for Linear Initial Value Problems

Following the variational principles for linear initial valueproblems associated with the wave and heat conduction equationsdiscussed by Gurtin and Leitmann and using time convolutionsit is shown that general variational principles exist for theseproblems with sources on the boundaries and within the regionunder consideration.