Search

We theoretically demonstrated the possible emergence of slow-light self-induced transparency solitons in the infinite one-dimensional coupled cavity array, with each cavity containing a single qubit. We have predicted a substantial dependence of pulse transparency on its dimensionless width $\tau_0$. In particular, short pulses whose widths range from $\tau_0\ll 1$ to $\tau_0\lesssim 1$ exhibit simple, almost linear dispersion law with a finite frequency gap of the order of the cavity array photonic band gap. That is, the medium is opaque for very short pulses with carrier wave frequency below the photonic gap. When the pulse width exceeds the critical one, a twin transparency window separated by a finite band gap appears in the soliton pulse dispersion law. Observation of predicted effects within the proposed setup would be of interest for understanding the properties of self-induced transparency effect in general and future applications in the design of quantum technological devices.

The conditions leading to flat dispersionless frequency bands in truly one-dimensional parity-time ($\cal PT$) symmetric metamaterials comprising split-ring resonators (SRRs) arranged in a binary pattern are obtained analytically. In this paradigmatic system, in which the SRRs are coupled through both electric and magnetic dipole-dipole forces, flat-bands may arise from tailoring its natural parameters (such as, e.g., the coupling coefficients between SRRs) and not from geometrical effects. For sets of parameters which values are tailored to flatten the upper band of the spectrum, the solution of the corresponding quadratic eigenvalue problem reveals the existence of compact, two-site localized eigenmodes. Numerical simulations confirm the existence and the dynamic stability of such modes, which can be formed through the evolution of single-site initial excitations without disorder or nonlinearity., Comment: to be published in Scientific Reports (2019)

We address light propagation properties in complex media consisting of random distributions of lenses that have specific focusing properties. We present both analytical and numerical techniques that can be used to study emergent properties of light organization in these media. As light propagates, it experiences multiple scattering leading to the formation of light bundles in the form of branches; these are random yet occur systematically in the the medium, particularly in the weak scattering limit. On the other hand, in the strong scattering limit we find that coalescence of branches may lead to the formation of extreme waves of the "rogue wave" type. These waves appear at specific locations and arise in the linear as well as in the nonlinear regimes. We present both the weak and strong scattering limit and show that these complex phenomena can be studied numerically and analytically through simple models., Comment: This is a Chapter from the book: Quodons in Mica: Nonlinear localized traveling excitations in crystals. Springer Series in Materials Science

Surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) are coherent electromagnetic surface waves trapped on an insulator-conductor interface. The SPPs decay exponentially along the propagation due to conductor losses, restricting the SPPs propagation length to few microns. Gain materials can be used to counterbalance the aforementioned losses. We provide an exact expression for the gain, in terms of the optical properties of the interface, for which the losses are eliminated. In addition, we show that systems characterized by lossless SPP propagation are related to PT symmetric systems. Furthermore, we derive an analytical critical value of the gain describing a phase transition between lossless and prohibited SPPs propagation. The regime of the aforementioned propagation can be directed by the optical properties of the system under scrutiny. Finally, we perform COMSOL simulations verifying the theoretical findings.

Ocean rogue waves (RW) -huge solitary waves- have for long triggered the interest of scientists. RWs emerge in a complex environment and it is still dubious the importance of linear versus nonlinear processes. Recent works have demonstrated that RWs appear in various other physical systems such as microwaves, nonlinear crystals, cold atoms, etc. In this work we investigate optical wave propagation in strongly scattering random lattices embedded in the bulk of transparent glasses. In the linear regime we observe the appearance of RWs that depend solely on the scattering properties of the medium. Interestingly, the addition of nonlinearity does not modify the RW statistics, while as the nonlinearities are increased multiple-filamentation and intensity clamping destroy the RW statistics. Numerical simulations agree nicely with the experimental findings and altogether prove that optical rogue waves are generated through the linear strong scattering in such complex environments.

We investigate wave transport properties of Parity-Time (PT) symmetric lattices that are periodically modulated along the direction of propagation. We demonstrate that in the regime of unbroken PT-symmetry the system Floquet-Bloch modes may interfere constructively leading to either controlled oscillations or linear power absorption and amplification occurring exactly at the phase transition point. The differential power response is effected by the overlap of the gain and loss system distribution with wave intensity pattern that is formed through Rabi oscillations engaging the coupled Floquet-Bloch modes.

We use a simple dynamical model and explore coherent dynamics of wavepackets in complex networks of optical fibers. We start from a symmetric lattice and through the application of a Monte-Carlo criterion we introduce structural disorder and deform the lattice into a small-world network regime. We investigate in the latter both structural (correlation length) as well as dynamical (diffusion exponent) properties and find that both exhibit a rapid crossover from the ordered to the fully random regime. For a critical value of the structural disorder parameter $\rho \approx 0.25$ transport changes from ballistic to sub-diffusive due to the creation strongly connected local clusters and channels of preferential transport in the small world regime.

We present numerical simulations for the propagation of surface plasmon polaritons in a dielectric-metal-dielectric waveguide using COMSOL multiphysics software. We show that the use of an active dielectric with gain that compensates metal absorption losses enhances substantially plasmon propagation. Furthermore, the introduction of the active material induces, for a specific gain value, a root in the imaginary part of the propagation constant leading to infinite propagation of the surface plasmon. The computational approaches analyzed in this work can be used to define and tune the optimal conditions for surface plasmon polariton amplification and propagation.

Metamaterials, i.e., artificially structured ("synthetic") media comprising weakly coupled discrete elements, exhibit extraordinary properties and they hold a great promise for novel applications including super-resolution imaging, cloaking, hyperlensing, and optical transformation. Nonlinearity adds a new degree of freedom for metamaterial design that allows for tuneability and multistability, properties that may offer altogether new functionalities and electromagnetic characteristics. The combination of discreteness and nonlinearity may lead to intrinsic localization of the type of discrete breather in metallic, SQUID-based, and ${\cal PT}-$symmetric metamaterials. We review recent results demonstrating the generic appearance of breather excitations in these systems resulting from power-balance between intrinsic losses and input power, either by proper initialization or by purely dynamical procedures. Breather properties peculiar to each particular system are identified and discussed. Recent progress in the fabrication of low-loss, active and superconducting metamaterials, makes the experimental observation of breathers in principle possible with the proposed dynamical procedures., Comment: 19 pages, 14 figures, Invited (Review) Chapter

A one dimensional, parity-time (${\cal PT}$)-symmetric magnetic metamaterial comprising split-ring resonators having both gain and loss is investigated. In the linear regime, the transition from the exact to the broken ${\cal PT}$-phase is determined through the calculation of the eigenfrequency spectrum for two different configurations; the one with equidistant split-rings and the other with the split-rings forming a binary pattern (${\cal PT}$ dimer chain). The latter system features a two-band, gapped spectrum with its shape determined by the gain/loss coefficient as well as the inter-element coupling. In the presense of nonlinearity, the ${\cal PT}$ dimer chain with balanced gain and loss supports nonlinear localized modes in the form of novel discrete breathers below the lower branch of the linear spectrum. These breathers, that can be excited from a weak applied magnetic field by frequency chirping, can be subsequently driven solely by the gain for very long times. The effect of a small imbalance between gain and loss is also considered. Fundamendal gain-driven breathers occupy both sites of a dimer, while their energy is almost equally partitioned between the two split-rings, the one with gain and the other with loss. We also introduce a model equation for the investigation of classical ${\cal PT}$ symmetry in zero dimensions, realized by a simple harmonic oscillator with matched time-dependent gain and loss that exhibits a transition from oscillatory to diverging motion. This behaviour is similar to a transition from the exact to the broken ${\cal PT}$ phase in higher-dimensional ${\cal PT}-$ symmetric systems. A stability condition relating the parameters of the problem is obtained in the case of piecewise constant gain/loss function that allows for the construction of a phase diagram with alternating stable and unstable regions., Comment: 10 pages, 11 figs, subm. to Applied Physics A for the Proceedings of the META13 Conference

We introduce a one dimensional parity-time (PT)-symmetric nonlinear magnetic metamaterial consisted of split ring dimers having both gain and loss. When nonlinearity is absent we find a transition between an exact to a broken PT-phase; in the former the system features a two band gapped spectrum with shape determined by the gain and loss coefficients as well as the inter-unit coupling. In the presence of nonlinearity we show numerically that as a result of the gain/dissipation matching a novel type of long-lived stable discrete breathers can form below the lower branch of the band with no attenuation. In these localized modes the energy is almost equally partitioned between two adjacent split rings on the one with gain and the other one with loss., Comment: 5 pages, 7 figures

We investigate numerically the effect of the competition of disorder, nonlinearity, and boundaries on the Anderson localization of light waves in finite-size, one-dimensional waveguide arrays. Using the discrete Anderson - nonlinear Schr\"odinger equation, the propagation of the mode amplitudes up to some finite distance is monitored. The analysis is based on the calculated localization length and the participation number, two standard measures for the statistical description of Anderson localization. For relatively weak disorder and nonlinearity, a higher disorder strength is required to achieve the same degree of localization at the edge than in the interior of the array, in agreement with recent experimental observations in the linear regime. However, for relatively strong disorder and/or nonlinearity, this behavior is reversed and it is now easier to localize an excitation at the edge than in the interior., Comment: 5 double-column pages, 7 figures, submitted for publication