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Unidirectional optical Bloch oscillations in asymmetric waveguide arrays
1Department of Physics, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan 49931, USA.
Optics Letters
|November 18, 2011
Summary
We prove unidirectional optical Bloch oscillations are possible in waveguide arrays. Nonreciprocity breaks Bloch oscillations in one direction, enabling novel optical device applications.
Area of Science:
- Photonics
- Waveguide Optics
- Solid-State Physics
Background:
- Optical Bloch oscillations (OBOs) describe the oscillatory motion of light in periodic potentials.
- Nonreciprocity in optical systems is crucial for developing advanced photonic devices.
- Waveguide arrays offer a platform for simulating complex physical phenomena.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analytically prove the existence of unidirectional optical Bloch oscillations.
- To investigate the role of nonreciprocity in controlling OBOs.
- To propose a practical waveguide system for observing these phenomena.
Main Methods:
- Analytical proof using coupled-mode theory.
- Modeling a transversely magnetized asymmetric Si/SiO2 waveguide array.
- Analysis of normal-mode dephasing in the presence of nonreciprocity.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated analytical existence of unidirectional OBOs.
- Showed that nonreciprocity leads to complete normal-mode dephasing in one direction.
- Identified a unidirectional breakdown of Bloch oscillations.
Conclusions:
- Unidirectional OBOs are achievable in nonreciprocal waveguide systems.
- The proposed Si/SiO2 waveguide array with a magneto-optic layer is a viable experimental platform.
- Large index contrasts are essential for practical implementation and observation of unidirectional OBOs.
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