可实现偏振无关单向传输的二维硅基环形孔光子晶体

基于光子晶体来构筑偏振无关光二极管在光电集成领域具有重大的应用价值.首先提出了一种环形孔光子晶体,能带结构显示其对横电及横磁模式同时展现出显著的方向带隙.以此构建了三角形状的环形孔光子晶体,利用时域有限差分法计算其透过谱及场分布图,发现该结构能实现偏振无关单向传输特性,然而正向透过率太低(约20%).进一步引入尺寸较小的三角形状的环形孔光子晶体构成光子晶体异质结结构,有效地提高了偏振无关单向传输性能,正向透过率增大了一倍.通过界面结构的调整,正向透过率进一步增大,优化后的环形孔光子晶体异质结结构能同时对类横电及类横磁模式入射光实现单向传输,且正向透过率达到了44%.     

Bifurcated overtones of one-way localized Fabry-Pérot resonances in parity-time symmetric optical lattices

Since the first observation of parity-time(PT) symmetry in optics, varied interesting phenomena have been discovered in both theories and experiments, such as PT phase transition and unidirectional invisibility, which turns PT-symmetric optics into a hotspot in research. Here, we report on the one-way localized Fabry-Pérot(FP) resonance, where a welldesigned PT optical resonator may operate at exceptional points with bidirectional transparency but unidirectional field localization. Overtones of such one-way localized FP resonance can be classified into a blue shifted branch and a red shifted branch. Therefore, the fundamental resonant frequency is not the lowest one. We find that the spatial field distributions of the overtones at the same absolute order are almost the same, even though their frequencies are quite different.     

亮孤子在宇称时间对称波导中的传输和控制

基于光波在宇称-时间(PT)对称波导中传输的理论模型, 数值研究了亮孤子在呈高斯分布的PT对称克尔非线性平板波导中的传输和控制. PT对称波导, 要求波导的折射率分布呈偶对称, 而增益/损耗分布呈奇对称. 结果表明: 当波导的折射率分布强度为正时, PT对称波导的中心折射率最大, 即使没有自聚焦克尔非线性效应, PT对称波导也可以束缚光波, 形成波浪形光束且长距离传输; 当折射率分布强度为负时, PT对称波导的中心折射率最小, 光波的传输方向发生偏移. 而增益/损耗分布可控制光波的偏移方向: 增益/损耗分布强度为正, 光波向左偏移; 强度为负, 光波向右偏移; 强度为零时, 光波被分为两束. 且当折射率分布强度为负时, 可以很好地抑制相邻亮孤子间的相互作用. 该研究结果可为未来PT对称波导在全光控制方面的应用提供一定的理论依据.     

Nonlinear switching and solitons in PT‐symmetric photonic systems

One of the challenges of the modern photonics is to develop all‐optical devices enabling increased speed and energy efficiency for transmitting and processing information on an optical chip. It is believed that the recently suggested Parity‐Time (PT) symmetric photonic systems with alternating regions of gain and loss can bring novel functionalities. In such systems, losses are as important as gain and, depending on the structural parameters, gain compensates losses. Generally, PT systems demonstrate nontrivial non‐conservative wave interactions and phase transitions, which can be employed for signal filtering and switching, opening new prospects for active control of light. In this review, we discuss a broad range of problems involving nonlinear PT‐symmetric photonic systems with an intensity‐dependent refractive index. Nonlinearity in such PT symmetric systems provides a basis for many effects such as the formation of localized modes, nonlinearly‐induced PT‐symmetry breaking, and all‐optical switching. Nonlinear PT‐symmetric systems can serve as powerful building blocks for the development of novel photonic devices targeting an active light control.

     

Analytical Study on Propagation Dynamics of Optical Beam in Parity-Time Symmetric Optical Couplers

We present exact analytical solutions to parity-time(P T) symmetric optical system describing light transport in P T-symmetric optical couplers. We show that light intensity oscillates periodically between two waveguides for unbroken P T-symmetric phase, whereas light always leaves the system from the waveguide experiencing gain when light is initially input at either waveguide experiencing gain or waveguide experiencing loss for broken P T-symmetric phase. These analytical results agree with the recent experimental observation reported by Ru¨ter et al. [Nat. Phys.6(2010) 192]. Besides, we present a scheme for manipulating P T symmetry by applying a periodic modulation. Our results provide an efficient way to control light propagation in periodically modulated P T-symmetric system by tuning the modulation amplitude and frequency.     

Localization and Steering of Light in One-Dimensional Parity-Time Symmetric Photonic Lattices

We theoretically study the propagation dynamics of input light in one-dimensional mixed linear-nonlinear photonic lattices with a complex parity-time symmetric potential. Numerical computation shows simultaneous localization and steering of the optical beam due to the asymmetric scatter and interplay between Kerr-type nonlinearity and PT symmetry. This may provide a feasible measure for manipulation light in optical communications, integrated optics and so on.     

Experimental demonstration of PT‐symmetric stripe lasers

Recently, the coexistence of a parity‐time (PT) symmetric laser and absorber has gained tremendous research attention. While PT‐symmetric lasers have been observed in microring resonators, the experimental demonstration of a PT‐symmetric stripe laser is still absent. Here, we experimentally study a PT‐symmetric laser absorber in a stripe waveguide. Using the concept of PT‐symmetry to exploit the light amplification and absorption, PT‐symmetric laser absorbers have been successfully obtained. In contrast to the single‐mode PT‐symmetric lasers, the PT‐symmetric stripe lasers have been experimentally confirmed by comparing the relative wavelength positions and mode spacing under different pumping conditions. When the waveguide is half‐pumped, the mode spacing is doubled and the lasing wavelengths shift to the center of every two initial lasing modes. All these observations are consistent with the theoretical predictions and well confirm the PT‐symmetry breaking.

     

Fraction‐Dimensional Accessible Solitons in a Parity‐Time Symmetric Potential

By using the modified Snyder‐Mitchell (MSM) model, which can describe the propagation of a paraxial beam in fractional dimensions (FDs), we find the exact "accessible soliton” solutions in the strongly nonlocal nonlinear media with a self‐consistent parity‐time (PT) symmetric complex potential. The exact solutions are constructed with the help of two special functions: the complex Gegenbauer and the generalized Laguerre polynomials in polar coordinates, parametrized by two nonnegative integer indices ‐ the radial and azimuthal mode numbers (n,m), and the beam modulation depth. By the choice of different soliton parameters, the intensity and angular profiles display symmetric and asymmetric structures. We believe that it is important to explore the MSM model in FDs and PT‐symmetric potentials, for a better understanding of nonlinear FD physical phenomena. Different physical systems in which the model might be of relevance are briefly discussed.     

局域单PT对称势中多级孤子的传输特性研究

具有Parity-Time(PT)对称性的光学系统是近年提出的一种新型光学结构,在光开关、光子信息处理器件等方面具有潜在的应用。研究了局域单PT对称光学系统中双级孤子和三级孤子的存在范围与稳定特性。研究结果表明:多级孤子存在一临界传播常数,传播常数对应了线性模下的本征值。双级孤子和三级孤子仅能在较深的PT对称势中才能稳定地传输。多级孤子的稳定性的范围随着PT对称势的深度增加而扩大;孤子的能量随着传播常数的增大而增加,但随着PT对称势的调制深度的增加而减少。     

Unidirectional invisibility induced by PT-symmetric periodic structures

Parity-time (PT) symmetric periodic structures, near the spontaneous PT-symmetry breaking point, can act as unidirectional invisible media. In this regime, the reflection from one end is diminished while it is enhanced from the other. Furthermore, the transmission coefficient and phase are indistinguishable from those expected in the absence of a grating. The phenomenon is robust even in the presence of Kerr nonlinearities, and it can also effectively suppress optical bistabilities.     

Band rules for the frequency spectra of three kinds of aperiodic photonic crystals with negative refractive index materials

By means of the theory of electromagnetic wave propagation and transfer matrix method, this paper investigates the band rules for the frequency spectra of three kinds of one-dimensional (1D) aperiodic photonic crystals (PCs), generalized Fibonacci GF(p,1), GF(1,2), and Thue--Morse (TM) PCs, with negative refractive index (NRI) materials. It is found that all of these PCs can open a broad zero-? gap, TM PC possesses the largest zero-? gap, and with the increase of p, the width of the zero-? gap for GF(p,1) PC becomes smaller. This characteristic is caused by the symmetry of the system and the open position of the zero-? gap. It is found that for GF(p,1) PCs, the possible limit zero-? gaps open at lower frequencies with the increase of p, but for GF(1,2) and TM PCs, their limit zero-? gaps open at the same frequency. Additionally, for the three bottom-bands, we find the interesting perfect self-similarities of the evolution structures with the increase of generation, and obtain the corresponding subband-number formulae. Based on 11 types of evolving manners Q_i(i=1,2,....,11) one can plot out the detailed evolution structures of the three kinds of aperiodic PCs for any generation.     

Unusual one-way edge state in acoustic gyroscopic continuum

Unusual one-way edge states have been observed in composite structures composed of periodic lattices loaded with gyroscopes.Here, we provide a continuum-mechanics understanding to the one-way edge state by formulating surface state equations of acoustic gyroscopic mediums with Hermite mass density tensor. We discover that the unidirectional edge effect arises from nontrivial off-diagonal components of Hermite densities, which causes the symmetric breaking of surface wave propagation towards forward and backward directions. Theoretical predictions on the velocity and decay length of surface waves coincide excellently with numerical simulations. The unidirectional edge state in a two-interface gyroscopic medium is also analyzed.Due to the rotational symmetry in geometry, the unidirectional edge state on one interface is able to prevent itself from the coupling to surface waves on the other interface regardless of the slab thickness. With these anomalous effects, surface waves residing on gyroscopic mediums can flow around the edge defects without back-scatterings, or can be split into two beams of equal energy magnitudes. Our findings may make a bridge that would help to reach the design of non-reciprocal composite materials via an effective medium approach.     

Whispering‐gallery microcavities with unidirectional laser emission

Optical whispering‐gallery mode (WGM) microcavities featuring ultrahigh Q factors and small mode volumes enhance significantly the interaction between light and matter, becoming an excellent platform for achieving ultralow‐threshold microlasers. However, the emission of traditional WGMs is isotropic due to the rotational symmetry of cavity geometries, which hinders the potential photonics applications. In this review, the progress in WGM microcavities towards unidirectional laser emission is summarized. When a subwavelength scatterer is placed on the boundary of the microcavity, the unidirectional emission occurs due to the collimation effect of the microcavity‐enhanced scattering field. Furthermore, microcavities deformed from the circular shapes can not only produce the chaos‐assisted unidirectional emission, but also maintain high Q factors by special design and fabrication processes. Finally, gratings along the circumference of the WGM microdisk or microring can scatter the WGMs in the vertical direction. The review also lists several important applications of these types of microcavities, such as wide‐band laser illumination source, free‐space coupling, evanescent‐field enhancement, optical energy storage, and sensing.

     

Parity-time symmetric acoustic system constructed by piezoelectric composite plates with active external circuits

Researches on parity-time (PT) symmetry in acoustic field can provide an efficient platform for controlling the travelling acoustic waves with balanced loss and gain. Here, we report a feasible design of PT-symmetric system constructed by piezoelectric composite plates with two different active external circuits. By judiciously adjusting the resistances and inductances in the external circuits, we obtain the exceptional point due to the spontaneous breaking of PT symmetry at the desired frequencies and can observe the unidirectional invisibility. Moreover, the system can be at PT exact phase or broken phase at the same frequency in the same structure by merely adjusting the external circuits, which represents the active control that makes the acoustic manipulation more convenient. Our study may provide a feasible way for manipulating acoustic waves and inspire the application of piezoelectric composite materials in acoustic structures.     

Self‐Collimation in Photonic Crystals: Applications and Opportunities

A comprehensive review considering recent advances in self‐collimation and its applications in optical integration is covered in the current article. Self‐collimation is compared to the conventional technique of photonic bandgap engineering to control the light propagation in photonic crystal‐based structures. It is fully discussed how the self‐collimation phenomenon can be tailored to be independent of the incident angle and polarization. This adds substantial flexibility to the structure to overcome light coupling challenges and simultaneously aids in the omission of bulk and challenging elements, including polarizers and lenses from optical integrated circuits. Additionally, designed structures have the potential to be rescaled to operate in any desired frequency range thanks to the scalability rule in the field of electromagnetics. Moreover, it is shown that one can boost the coupling efficiency by applying an anti‐reflection property to the structure, which provides not only efficient index matching but also the matching between external waves with uniform amplitude and Bloch waves with periodic amplitude.     

InGaAs/InAlAs多量子阱脊形波导及定向耦合器光波特性准矢量分析

提出了一种基于级数展开的三维准矢量束传播法(SE-QV-BPM)用以分析由InGaAs/InAlAs多量子阱构成的脊形光波导及定向耦合器.结果表明，刻蚀深度相同时，TM模比TE模在水平方向限制强，且TM模的模场在波导角上出现畸变；波导间距相同时，定向耦合器TM波的耦合长度大于TE波的耦合长度，对偏振态敏感.分析获得了浅/深刻脊形光波导承载的准矢量TE/TM基模、定向耦合器承载的TE/TM偶/奇模的模场分布及其有效折射率，模拟了光场在定向耦合器中的传输演变情况.另外，SE-QV-BPM导出矩阵小，计算效率高 关键词： 级数展开 准矢量束传播法 多量子阱 InGaAs/InAlAs     

An arrayed nanoantenna for broadband light emission and detection

We suggest a broadband optical unidirectional arrayed nanoantenna consisting of equally spaced nanorods of gradually varying length. Each nanorod can be driven by near‐field quantum emitters radiating at different frequencies or, according to the reciprocity principle, by an incident light at the same frequency. Broadband unidirectional emission and reception characteristics of the nanoantenna open up novel opportunities for subwavelength light manipulation and quantum communication, as well as for enhancing the performance of photoactive devices such as photovoltaic detectors, light‐emitting diodes, and solar cells. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

有损耗介质中非线性光导波的数值模拟

发展了一种以有限元法为基础的数值方法，用它分析由损耗任意大小材料构成的平面非线性波导结构所传导的非线性有损耗光波。在这种方法中，从给出的非线性有损耗波导直接得到ＴＥ和ＴＭ波与功率有关的复传播常数和局域电磁场分布。     

Energy unidirectional transmission in an asymmetrically finite transmission line

The phenomenon of energy unidirectional transmission is numerically investigated by using a system of two coupled discrete nonlinear electrical transmission lines, each line of the network contains a finite number of cells and has different pass band structures, respectively. Using numerical simulations, we examine the frequency multiplication of the driving frequency and the lattice filtering effect in the line. These lead to the generation of energy unidirectional transmission. In the present work, energy is carried by the second harmonic wave in the pass band. In addition, we also study the dependence of the energy efficiency on the driving amplitude and other parameters of the model, such as the system size and the nonlinear coefficient, by calculation. Furthermore, after detailed numerical simulation, an experimental demonstration is realized. The experimental results agree with those in simulation qualitatively.     

Photonic spin Hall effect in PT symmetric metamaterials

We proposed and demonstrated that PT symmetric metamaterials could be used to achieve enhanced spin Hall effect (SHE) of light. We find that when laser mode is excited in PT symmetric system, the enhanced SHE could be obtained in both transmitted and reflected beams. In addition, as exceptional points (EPs) of PT symmetric system can happen for both p- and s-polarizations, the enhanced SHE of reflected light can function for both horizontally and vertically polarized incident beams. Particularly, these EPs can lead to unidirectional reflectionlessness, asymmetric SHE with maximum contrast ratio of 48 is obtained by launching light beams near EPs. Our work opens up a new path to obtain enhanced transverse displacement for both reflected and transmitted light and enables more opportunities in manipulating photonic SHE.