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Journal ArticleDOI

Experimental demonstration of a unidirectional reflectionless parity-time metamaterial at optical frequencies

TL;DR: The demonstrated unidirectional phenomenon at the corresponding parity-time exceptional point on-a-chip confirms the feasibility of creating complicated on-chip parity- time metamaterials and optical devices based on their properties.
Abstract: Invisibility by metamaterials is of great interest, where optical properties are manipulated in the real permittivity– permeability plane. However, the most effective approach to achieving invisibility in various military applications is to absorb the electromagnetic waves emitted from radar to minimize the corresponding reflection and scattering, such that no signal gets bounced back. Here, we show the experimental realization of chip-scale unidirectional reflectionless optical metamaterials near the spontaneous parity-time symmetry phase transition point where reflection from one side is significantly suppressed. This is enabled by engineering the corresponding optical properties of the designed paritytime metamaterial in the complex dielectric permittivity plane. Numerical simulations and experimental verification consistently exhibit asymmetric reflection with high contrast ratios around a wavelength of of 1,550 nm. The demonstrated unidirectional phenomenon at the corresponding parity-time exceptional point on-a-chip confirms the feasibility of creating complicated on-chip parity-time metamaterials and optical devices based on their properties.
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, it was shown that coupled optical microcavities bear all the hallmarks of parity-time symmetry; that is, the system dynamics are unchanged by both time-reversal and mirror transformations.
Abstract: It is now shown that coupled optical microcavities bear all the hallmarks of parity–time symmetry; that is, the system’s dynamics are unchanged by both time-reversal and mirror transformations. The resonant nature of microcavities results in unusual effects not seen in previous photonic analogues of parity–time-symmetric systems: for example, light travelling in one direction is resonantly enhanced but there are no resonance peaks going the other way.

2,061 citations


Cites background from "Experimental demonstration of a uni..."

  • ...n critical value. Beyond this critical threshold the spectrum is no longer real, eigenvalues become complex even though PTĤ = ĤPT is still satisfied . PT symmetry has been studied both experimentally [4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12] and theoretically [13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23] in a variety of physical systems, with experiments performed electronic circuits on 4], nuclear magnetic[ resonance [5], optics [6, 7, 8...

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the interplay between parity-time symmetry and non-Hermitian physics in optics, plasmonics and optomechanics has been explored both theoretically and experimentally.
Abstract: In recent years, notions drawn from non-Hermitian physics and parity–time (PT) symmetry have attracted considerable attention. In particular, the realization that the interplay between gain and loss can lead to entirely new and unexpected features has initiated an intense research effort to explore non-Hermitian systems both theoretically and experimentally. Here we review recent progress in this emerging field, and provide an outlook to future directions and developments. This Review Article outlines the exploration of the interplay between parity–time symmetry and non-Hermitian physics in optics, plasmonics and optomechanics.

1,831 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
21 Nov 2014-Science
TL;DR: Results that take their cue from theoretical ideas of parity-time symmetry and implement them into the design of coupled laser components show that loss and gain can actually work together.
Abstract: Effective manipulation of cavity resonant modes is crucial for emission control in laser physics and applications. Using the concept of parity-time symmetry to exploit the interplay between gain and loss (i.e., light amplification and absorption), we demonstrate a parity-time symmetry-breaking laser with resonant modes that can be controlled at will. In contrast to conventional ring cavity lasers with multiple competing modes, our parity-time microring laser exhibits intrinsic single-mode lasing regardless of the gain spectral bandwidth. Thresholdless parity-time symmetry breaking due to the rotationally symmetric structure leads to stable single-mode operation with the selective whispering-gallery mode order. Exploration of parity-time symmetry in laser physics may open a door to next-generation optoelectronic devices for optical communications and computing.

1,336 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
21 Nov 2014-Science
TL;DR: By harnessing notions from parity-time (PT) symmetry, stable single–longitudinal mode operation can be readily achieved in a system of coupled microring lasers and the selective breaking of PT symmetry can be used to systematically enhance the maximum attainable output power in the desired mode.
Abstract: The ability to control the modes oscillating within a laser resonator is of fundamental importance. In general, the presence of competing modes can be detrimental to beam quality and spectral purity, thus leading to spatial as well as temporal fluctuations in the emitted radiation. We show that by harnessing notions from parity-time (PT) symmetry, stable single–longitudinal mode operation can be readily achieved in a system of coupled microring lasers. The selective breaking of PT symmetry can be used to systematically enhance the maximum attainable output power in the desired mode. This versatile concept is inherently self-adapting and facilitates mode selectivity over a broad bandwidth without the need for other additional intricate components. Our experimental findings provide the possibility to develop synthetic optical devices and structures with enhanced functionality.

1,334 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This work obtains the phase diagram of the non-Hermitian Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model, whose topological zero modes are determined by theNon-Bloch winding number instead of the Bloch-Hamiltonian-based topological number.
Abstract: The bulk-boundary correspondence is among the central issues of non-Hermitian topological states. We show that a previously overlooked "non-Hermitian skin effect" necessitates redefinition of topological invariants in a generalized Brillouin zone. The resultant phase diagrams dramatically differ from the usual Bloch theory. Specifically, we obtain the phase diagram of the non-Hermitian Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model, whose topological zero modes are determined by the non-Bloch winding number instead of the Bloch-Hamiltonian-based topological number. Our work settles the issue of the breakdown of conventional bulk-boundary correspondence and introduces the non-Bloch bulk-boundary correspondence.

1,326 citations


Cites background from "Experimental demonstration of a uni..."

  • ...[25] Liang Feng, Ye-Long Xu, William S Fegadolli, Ming-Hui Lu, José EB Oliveira, Vilson R Almeida, Yan-Feng Chen, and Axel Scherer, “Experimental demonstration of a unidirectional reflectionless parity-time metamaterial at optical frequencies,” Nature materials 12, 108 (2013)....

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References
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Journal ArticleDOI
23 Jun 2006-Science
TL;DR: This work shows how electromagnetic fields can be redirected at will and proposes a design strategy that has relevance to exotic lens design and to the cloaking of objects from electromagnetic fields.
Abstract: Using the freedom of design that metamaterials provide, we show how electromagnetic fields can be redirected at will and propose a design strategy. The conserved fields-electric displacement field D, magnetic induction field B, and Poynting vector B-are all displaced in a consistent manner. A simple illustration is given of the cloaking of a proscribed volume of space to exclude completely all electromagnetic fields. Our work has relevance to exotic lens design and to the cloaking of objects from electromagnetic fields.

7,811 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The condition of self-adjointness as discussed by the authors ensures that the eigenvalues of a Hamiltonian are real and bounded below, replacing this condition by the weaker condition of $\mathrm{PT}$ symmetry, one obtains new infinite classes of complex Hamiltonians whose spectra are also real and positive.
Abstract: The condition of self-adjointness ensures that the eigenvalues of a Hamiltonian are real and bounded below. Replacing this condition by the weaker condition of $\mathrm{PT}$ symmetry, one obtains new infinite classes of complex Hamiltonians whose spectra are also real and positive. These $\mathrm{PT}$ symmetric theories may be viewed as analytic continuations of conventional theories from real to complex phase space. This paper describes the unusual classical and quantum properties of these theories.

5,626 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
23 Jun 2006-Science
TL;DR: A general recipe for the design of media that create perfect invisibility within the accuracy of geometrical optics is developed, which can be applied to escape detection by other electromagnetic waves or sound.
Abstract: An invisibility device should guide light around an object as if nothing were there, regardless of where the light comes from. Ideal invisibility devices are impossible, owing to the wave nature of light. This study develops a general recipe for the design of media that create perfect invisibility within the accuracy of geometrical optics. The imperfections of invisibility can be made arbitrarily small to hide objects that are much larger than the wavelength. With the use of modern metamaterials, practical demonstrations of such devices may be possible. The method developed here can also be applied to escape detection by other electromagnetic waves or sound.

3,850 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors report the first observation of the behaviour of a PT optical coupled system that judiciously involves a complex index potential, and observe both spontaneous PT symmetry breaking and power oscillations violating left-right symmetry.
Abstract: One of the fundamental axioms of quantum mechanics is associated with the Hermiticity of physical observables 1 . In the case of the Hamiltonian operator, this requirement not only implies real eigenenergies but also guarantees probability conservation. Interestingly, a wide class of non-Hermitian Hamiltonians can still show entirely real spectra. Among these are Hamiltonians respecting parity‐time (PT) symmetry 2‐7 . Even though the Hermiticity of quantum observables was never in doubt, such concepts have motivated discussions on several fronts in physics, including quantum field theories 8 , nonHermitian Anderson models 9 and open quantum systems 10,11 , to mention a few. Although the impact of PT symmetry in these fields is still debated, it has been recently realized that optics can provide a fertile ground where PT-related notions can be implemented and experimentally investigated 12‐15 . In this letter we report the first observation of the behaviour of a PT optical coupled system that judiciously involves a complex index potential. We observe both spontaneous PT symmetry breaking and power oscillations violating left‐right symmetry. Our results may pave the way towards a new class of PT-synthetic materials with intriguing and unexpected properties that rely on non-reciprocal light propagation and tailored transverse energy flow. Before we introduce the concept of spacetime reflection in optics, we first briefly outline some of the basic aspects of this symmetry within the context of quantum mechanics. In general, a Hamiltonian HD p 2 =2mCV(x

3,097 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, an alternative formulation of quantum mechanics in which the mathematical axiom of Hermiticity (transpose + complex conjugate) is replaced by the physically transparent condition of space?time reflection ( ) symmetry.
Abstract: The Hamiltonian H specifies the energy levels and time evolution of a quantum theory. A standard axiom of quantum mechanics requires that H be Hermitian because Hermiticity guarantees that the energy spectrum is real and that time evolution is unitary (probability-preserving). This paper describes an alternative formulation of quantum mechanics in which the mathematical axiom of Hermiticity (transpose +complex conjugate) is replaced by the physically transparent condition of space?time reflection ( ) symmetry. If H has an unbroken symmetry, then the spectrum is real. Examples of -symmetric non-Hermitian quantum-mechanical Hamiltonians are and . Amazingly, the energy levels of these Hamiltonians are all real and positive!Does a -symmetric Hamiltonian H specify a physical quantum theory in which the norms of states are positive and time evolution is unitary? The answer is that if H has an unbroken symmetry, then it has another symmetry represented by a linear operator . In terms of , one can construct a time-independent inner product with a positive-definite norm. Thus, -symmetric Hamiltonians describe a new class of complex quantum theories having positive probabilities and unitary time evolution.The Lee model provides an excellent example of a -symmetric Hamiltonian. The renormalized Lee-model Hamiltonian has a negative-norm 'ghost' state because renormalization causes the Hamiltonian to become non-Hermitian. For the past 50 years there have been many attempts to find a physical interpretation for the ghost, but all such attempts failed. The correct interpretation of the ghost is simply that the non-Hermitian Lee-model Hamiltonian is -symmetric. The operator for the Lee model is calculated exactly and in closed form and the ghost is shown to be a physical state having a positive norm. The ideas of symmetry are illustrated by using many quantum-mechanical and quantum-field-theoretic models.

2,647 citations