Single mode lasing in transversely multi‐moded PT‐symmetric microring resonators

Conventional techniques for transverse mode discrimination rely on introducing differential external losses to the different competing mode sets, enforcing single‐mode operation at the expense of additional losses to the desirable mode. We show how a parity‐time (PT) symmetric design approach can be employed to achieve single mode lasing in transversely multi‐moded microring resonators. In this type of system, mode selectivity is attained by judiciously utilizing the exceptional point dynamics arising from a complex interplay of gain and loss. The proposed scheme is versatile, robust to deviations from PT symmetry such as caused by fabrication inaccuracies or pump inhomogeneities, and enables a stable operation considerably above threshold while maintaining spatial and spectral purity. The experimental results presented here were obtained in InP‐based semiconductor microring arrangements and pave the way towards an entirely new class of chip‐scale semiconductor lasers that harness gain/loss contrast as a primary mechanism of mode selectivity.

     

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.

     

Exact solution of the Klein‐Gordon equation for the PT‐symmetric generalized Woods‐Saxon potential by the Nikiforov‐Uvarov method

The exact solution of the one‐dimensional Klein‐Gordon equation of the ????‐symmetric generalized Woods‐Saxon potential is obtained. The exact energy eigenvalues and wavefunctions are derived analytically by using the Nikiforov and Uvarov method. In addition, the positive and negative exact bound states of the s‐states are also investigated for different types of complex generalized Woods‐Saxon potentials.     

Suppression and restoration of disorder‐induced light localization mediated by ‐symmetry breaking

We uncover that the breaking point of the ‐symmetry in optical waveguide arrays has a dramatic impact on light localization induced by the off‐diagonal disorder. Specifically, when the gain/loss control parameter approaches a critical value at which ‐symmetry breaking occurs, a fast growth of the coupling between neighboring waveguides causes diffraction to dominate to an extent that light localization is strongly suppressed and the statistically averaged width of the output pattern substantially increases. Beyond the symmetry‐breaking point localization is gradually restored, although in this regime the power of localized modes grows upon propagation. The strength of localization monotonically increases with disorder at both broken and unbroken ‐symmetry. Our findings are supported by statistical analysis of parameters of stationary eigenmodes of disordered‐symmetric waveguide arrays and by analysis of dynamical evolution of single‐site excitations in such structures.

     

The Scattering Problem in PT‐Symmetric Periodic Structures of 1D Two‐Material Waveguide Networks

A PT‐symmetric periodic structure with two‐material waveguide networks is constructed. In this study, how changing the number of cells affects the transmission properties is investigated. The results show that the PT‐unbroken (broken) region of the system is only determined by the cell structure, regardless of the number of unit cells. This means that any system has the same exceptional points (EPs), regardless of the number of cells and as long as the cell structure is consistent. In addition, it is confirmed that the coherent perfect absorbers and lasers (CPA lasers) occur in our model. The transfer matrix method is used to derive a sufficient condition for achieving the CPA laser point. A simple, effective formula for predicting the CPA laser state in an N unit cell system is derived.     

The contrast between defect solitons in parity-time symmetric superlattice and simple-lattice complex potentials

The existence and stability of defect superlattice solitons in parity-time (PT) symmetric superlattice and simplelattice complex potentials are reported.Compared with defect simple-lattice solitons in similar potentials,the defect soliton in superlattice has a wider stable range than that in simple-lattice.The solitons’ power increases with increasing propagation constant.For the positive defect,the solitons are stable in the whole region where solitons exist in the semi-infinite gap.For the zero defect,the solitons are unstable at the edge of the band.For the negative defect,the solitons propagate with the shape of Y at low propagation constant and propagate stably at the large one.     

Singular Characteristics of Optical Thue–Morse Multilayers Composed of PT‐Symmetric Elements

Aperiodic 1D Thue–Morse (TM) multilayer optical structures composed of two parity‐time‐symmetric (PT‐symmetric) elements are constructed. The transfer matrix and scattering matrix are utilized for singular propagation characteristic analysis of the structures. The structures display interesting and singular properties, including an unusual eigenvalue spectra, transparency, and unidirectional reflectionless and unidirectional invisibility. Additionally, even‐generation and odd‐generation structures show a significant difference in the aforementioned four properties. The main reason for this is the symmetry difference between the two structures: for even‐generation structures, each individual element as well as the entire system with respect to the PT‐symmetry; while for the odd‐generation structures, each individual element has PT‐symmetry; however, the system as a whole does not have PT‐symmetry. The propagation characteristics of the entire structure, which is not a PT‐symmetric system being composed of PT‐symmetric elements, have not yet been reported. This work can contribute to the understanding of the TM sequence, as well as contribute to understanding the influence of the degree of PT‐symmetry on the singular optical propagation characteristics of aperiodic optical structures. Additionally, this may open new possibilities for important applications, such as the design of a diverse family of all‐optical devices with intriguing behaviors.     

Time‐resolved ion imaging at free‐electron lasers using TimepixCam

The application of a novel fast optical‐imaging camera, TimepixCam, to molecular photoionization experiments using the velocity‐map imaging technique at a free‐electron laser is described. TimepixCam is a 256 × 256 pixel CMOS camera that is able to detect and time‐stamp ion hits with 20 ns timing resolution, thus making it possible to record ion momentum images for all fragment ions simultaneously and avoiding the need to gate the detector on a single fragment. This allows the recording of significantly more data within a given amount of beam time and is particularly useful for pump–probe experiments, where drifts, for example, in the timing and pulse energy of the free‐electron laser, severely limit the comparability of pump–probe scans for different fragments taken consecutively. In principle, this also allows ion–ion covariance or coincidence techniques to be applied to determine angular correlations between fragments.     

Non‐Hermitian Gauged Topological Laser Arrays

Stable and phase‐locked emission in an extended topological supermode of coupled laser arrays, based on concepts of non‐Hermitian and topological photonics, is theoretically suggested. A non‐Hermitian Su–Schrieffer–Heeger chain of coupled microring resonators is considered, and it is shown that application of a synthetic imaginary gauge field via auxiliary passive microrings leads to all supermodes of the chain, except one, to become edge states. The only extended supermode, that retains some topological protection, can stably oscillate suppressing all other non‐topological edge supermodes. Numerical simulations based on a rate equation model of the semiconductor laser arrays confirm stable anti‐phase laser emission in the extended topological supermode and the role of the synthetic gauge field to enhance laser stability.     

用有效折射率法和有限元法分析多量子阱条形光波导

本文提出了一种快速和精确分析多量子阱(MQW)条形光波导的新算法。它基于有效折射率法和有限元法的结合。首先,由等效的平面波导替换多量子阱条形结构,用有效折射率法从原来问题得到平面波导的折射率分布;然后,用有限元法计算等效结构中E_(mn)~x模和E_(mn)~y模的传播常数和场强分布。文中给出了任意阱数和不同宽度多量子阱的对称结构和不对称结构的结果。     

Erbium‐doped integrated waveguide amplifiers and lasers

Erbium‐doped fiber devices have been extraordinarily successful due to their broad optical gain around 1.5–1.6 µm. Er‐doped fiber amplifiers enable efficient, stable amplification of high‐speed, wavelength‐division‐multiplexed signals, thus continue to dominate as part of the backbone of longhaul telecommunications networks. At the same time, Er‐doped fiber lasers see many applications in telecommunications as well as in biomedical and sensing environments. Over the last 20 years significant efforts have been made to bring these advantages to the chip level. Device integration decreases the overall size and cost and potentially allows for the combination of many functions on a single tiny chip. Besides technological issues connected to the shorter device lengths and correspondingly higher Er concentrations required for high gain, the choice of appropriate host material as well as many design issues come into play in such devices. In this contribution the important developments in the field of Er‐doped integrated waveguide amplifiers and lasers are reviewed and current and future potential applications are explored. The vision of integrating such Er‐doped gain devices with other, passive materials platforms, such as silicon photonics, is discussed.     

Integration of 2D photonic crystals with ridge waveguide lasers

2D triangular photonic crystals (PCs) have been integrated as laser mirrors in electrically pumped InGaAs/AlGaAs ridge waveguide lasers. The investigated PC lattice constants range from 160 to 400 nm with light incident along both main symmetry directions M and K. The observed cw laser performance is strongly dependent on both orientation and period of the PC. This behaviour is discussed using a 2D transfer matrix calculation of the PC reflectivity. As a demonstrator device relying on the 2D light confining properties of the PC, an active beamsplitter with a bending radius of 5 m is presented. Here, the PC is successfully used as cladding material in the S-bent regions of the ridge waveguide, significantly reducing the bending loss.     

Recent advances in the development of discharge‐pumped oxygen‐iodine lasers

Chemical oxygen‐iodine lasers are unique in their ability to generate high‐power beams with near diffraction limited beam quality. The operating wavelength, 1.315 µm is readily transmitted by the atmosphere and compatible with fiber optics beam delivery systems. However, applications of the laser are severely limited by logistical problems associated with the complex chemistry used to power the device. Electrical or microwave discharge excitation of oxygen‐iodine lasers offers an attractive alternative that eliminates the chemical power generation problems and has the possibility of closed‐cycle operation. A discharge oxygen‐iodine laser was first demonstrated in 2005. Since that time the power of the device has been improved by a factor of 400 and much has been learned concerning the physics and chemistry of the discharge driven system. Although our current understanding of the chemical kinetics is incomplete, parametric studies of laser performance show considerable promise for further scaling. This article reviews the basic principles of the discharge oxygen iodine laser, summarizes the most recent advances, and outlines some of the unresolved questions regarding the production and removal of excited species in the gas flow.     

Bismuth telluride topological insulator nanosheet saturable absorbers for q‐switched mode‐locked Tm:ZBLAN waveguide lasers

Nanosheets of bismuth telluride (Bi₂Te₃), a topological insulator material that exhibits broadband saturable absorption due to its non‐trivial Dirac‐cone like energy structure, are utilized to generate short pulses from Tm:ZBLAN waveguide lasers. By depositing multiple layers of a carefully prepared Bi₂Te₃ solution onto a glass substrate, the modulation depth and the saturation intensity of the fabricated devices can be controlled and optimized. This approach enables the realization of saturable absorbers that feature a modulation depth of 13% and a saturation intensity of 997 kW/cm². For the first time to our knowledge, Q‐switched mode‐locked operation of a linearly polarized mid‐IR ZBLAN waveguide chip laser was realized in an extended cavity configuration using the topological insulator Bi₂Te₃. The maximum average output power of the laser is 16.3 mW and the Q‐switched and mode‐locked repetition rates are 44 kHz and 436 MHz, respectively.     

Low‐wavelength emission of Nd‐doped lasers

This paper gives an overview of the results obtained with diode‐pumped Neodymium‐doped crystals operating below 900 nm. Operation at such low wavelengths requires considering the strong thermal population of the lower level of the laser transition. Based on a theoretical study and simulations, the paper presents the challenges related to the design of these three‐level lasers. Experimental results are given with Nd:YAG and Nd:vanadate crystals. It is explained how to deal with the line competition with emission at 946 nm or 912 nm. Finally, intracavity second‐harmonic generation is presented. The output powers reach a few hundred mW at wavelengths below 450 nm. Hence, the paper demonstrates the potential of Nd‐doped diode‐pumped solid‐state lasers for applications in the blue range, in replacement of gas lasers such as helium‐cadmium lasers.     

Plasmonic Metasurfaces Enabled Ultra‐Compact Broadband Waveguide TM‐Pass Polarizer

Silicon waveguide polarizers offer a simple yet robust approach to address the polarization‐dependent issue of silicon‐based optical components, and hence have found numerous applications in silicon photonics. However, the available silicon waveguide polarizers suffer from the issue of large device footprint, high insertion loss (IL), and/or fabrication complexities. Here, a silicon waveguide transverse magnetic (TM)‐pass polarizer is constructed by coating a silicon waveguide with an ultra‐thin plasmonic metasurface structure that is capable of guiding slow surface wave (SW) mode. The transverse electric (TE) waveguide mode can be converted into SW mode with the involvement of metasurfaces, and hence is intrinsically absorbed and forbidden to pass, while the TM waveguide mode can be well guided due to little influence. A typical metasurface polarizer with an ultra‐short length of 2.4 µm enables the IL of 28.16 dB for the TE mode, and that of 0.53 dB for the TM mode at 1550 nm. Multiple‐band TM‐pass polarizers can be obtained by cascading two or more different metasurface‐coated silicon waveguides along the propagation direction, and a dual‐band TM‐pass polarizer is demonstrated with the IL being of 19.21 and 29.09 dB for the TE mode at 1310 and 1550 nm, respectively.     

Topological insulator as an optical modulator for pulsed solid‐state lasers

Topological insulators are states of quantum matter that have narrow topological nontrivial energy gaps and a large third‐order nonlinear optical response. The optical absorption of topological insulators can become saturated under strong excitation. In this work, with Bi₂Se₃ as an example, it was demonstrated that a topological insulator can modulate the operation of a bulk solid‐state laser by taking advantage of its saturable absorption. The result suggests that topological insulators are potentially attractive as broadband pulsed modulators for the generation of short and ultrashort pulses in bulk solid‐state lasers, in addition to other promising applications in physics and computing.     

Analysis of tapered front‐coupling X‐ray waveguides

The coupling and propagation of electromagnetic waves through planar X‐ray waveguides (WG) with vacuum gap and Si claddings are analyzed in detail, starting from the source and ending at the detector. The general case of linearly tapered WGs (i.e. with the entrance aperture different from the exit one) is considered. Different kinds of sources, i.e. synchrotron radiation and laboratory desk‐top sources, have been considered, with the former providing a fully coherent incoming beam and the latter partially coherent beams. It is demonstrated that useful information about the parameters of the WG can be derived, comparing experimental results with computer simulation based on analytical solutions of the Helmholtz equation which take into account the amplitude and phase matching between the standing waves created in front of the WG, and the resonance modes propagating into the WG.     

Theory of passively mode-locked lasers with self-frequency shift and saturable absorber response

A general theoretical model for passively mode-locked lasers is presented, in which both the self-frequency shift and either a fast or a slow saturable absorber response are taken into account. An exact soliton-like solution and condition for its existence are obtained under a definite compatible condition. The stability of the solution is analyzed by using a variational method, and a parameter region, in which the solution is linearly stable, is acquired theoretically. To verify the theoretical predictions, a typical example is given for stable pulse propagation over a long distance. The numerical results show that the soliton-like solution is stable under some perturbations within the linearly stable region and an arbitrary Gaussian pulse converges to the exact soliton-like solution after evolution in a distance.