Anderson localization in synthetic photonic lattice with random coupling

Area of Science:

• Physics
• Quantum Optics
• Condensed Matter Physics

Background:

• Synthetic photonic lattices (SPLs) are re-configurable test-beds for studying dynamics in one-dimensional mesh lattices.
• SPLs offer advantages in controlling lattice parameters quickly and easily compared to other photonic lattice realizations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of disorder on the dynamics of a synthetic photonic lattice.
• To derive an analytical result for the localization length in a weakly disordered SPL.
• To numerically study pulse train dynamics in disordered SPLs.

Main Methods:

• Analytical derivation of the localization length (inverse Lyapunov exponent) for weak coupling disorder.
• Numerical simulations of pulse train dynamics in the fiber-loop-based lattice.

Main Results:

• A new analytical result for the localization length in weakly disordered SPLs was obtained.
• Numerical studies showed that pulse spreading is arrested even at low disorder levels.
• A delocalization transition was observed at the band center despite the arrested spreading.

Conclusions:

• Disordered synthetic photonic lattices exhibit unique pulse dynamics.
• Weak coupling disorder can effectively arrest pulse spreading in SPLs, a significant finding for photonic device applications.
• The interplay between disorder and lattice dynamics in SPLs warrants further investigation.