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Tuning the Effective PT Phase of Plasmonic Eigenmodes.
Alessandro Tuniz1, Torsten Wieduwilt2, Markus A Schmidt2
1Institute of Photonics and Optical Science (IPOS) and the University of Sydney Nano Institute (Sydney Nano), School of Physics, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
Physical Review Letters
|December 7, 2019
Summary
We observed a PT-phase transition in a hybrid plasmonic-dielectric waveguide. Tuning the refractive index revealed changes in eigenmode interactions, demonstrating tunable non-Hermitian physics in plasmonic systems.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Optics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Non-Hermitian physics explores systems with gain and loss.
- Exceptional points are unique degeneracies in non-Hermitian systems.
- Plasmonic-dielectric waveguides offer a platform for light-matter interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally demonstrate a PT-phase transition in a hybrid plasmonic-dielectric waveguide.
- To investigate the role of exceptional points in such systems.
- To explore tunable non-Hermitian physics in plasmonic devices.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a hybrid plasmonic-dielectric waveguide.
- Transmission experiments to probe system behavior.
- Tuning the environmental refractive index to induce changes.
Main Results:
- Observation of an effective PT-phase transition.
- Identification of fundamental changes in eigenmode interactions.
- Attribution of these changes to crossing a plasmonic exceptional point.
Conclusions:
- Experimental validation of PT-phase transitions in plasmonic systems.
- Demonstration of tunable non-Hermitian physics via environmental control.
- Opening new avenues for designing advanced optical devices.
