Loss-induced nonreciprocity

Abstract Nonreciprocity is important in both optical information processing and topological photonics studies. Conventional principles for realizing nonreciprocity rely on magnetic fields, spatiotemporal modulation, or nonlinearity. Here we propose a generic principle for generating nonreciprocity by taking advantage of energy loss, which is usually regarded as harmful. The loss in a resonance mode induces a phase lag, which is independent of the energy transmission direction. When multichannel lossy resonance modes are combined, the resulting interference gives rise to nonreciprocity, with different coupling strengths for the forward and backward directions, and unidirectional energy transmission. This study opens a new avenue for the design of nonreciprocal devices without stringent requirements.