Time-domain measurements of reflection delay in frustrated total internal reflection
George M Gehring1, Andreas C Liapis, Svetlana G Lukishova
1The Institute of Optics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|August 6, 2013
Summary
The Goos-Hänchen shift
Area of Science:
- Quantum optics and condensed matter physics.
Background:
- Frustrated total internal reflection (FTIR) is a phenomenon where light partially penetrates a barrier.
- The Goos-Hänchen shift describes the lateral displacement of a light beam upon reflection.
- Tunneling delay is the time it takes for light to traverse a barrier.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally investigate the influence of the Goos-Hänchen shift on tunneling delay in FTIR.
- To quantify the suppression of this contribution under specific conditions.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing a Hong-Ou-Mandel interferometer for precise time-resolved measurements of light reflection delays.
- Employing femtosecond resolution to capture ultrafast optical phenomena.
- Implementing a liquid-crystal-filled double-prism structure to dynamically tune the barrier's refractive index.
Main Results:
- Experimental evidence demonstrating the suppression of the Goos-Hänchen shift's contribution to tunneling delay in FTIR.
- Direct time measurements confirm the reduced impact of this optical effect.
Conclusions:
- The Goos-Hänchen shift's role in tunneling delay is significantly diminished in frustrated total internal reflection.
- This finding offers new insights into light-matter interactions at interfaces.
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