Multidimensional synthetic chiral-tube lattices via nonlinear frequency conversion.

Area of Science:

• Photonics
• Topological Physics
• Nonlinear Optics

Background:

• Geometrical dimensionality is crucial for topological effects in discrete lattices.
• Experiments are limited to three spatial dimensions, but synthetic dimensions in photonics are advancing.
• Current methods using electro-optic modulation have bandwidth limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and experimentally realize all-optical synthetic dimensions.
• To overcome limitations of electro-optic modulation by using nonlinear frequency conversion.
• To explore high-dimensional topological physics and optical device applications.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing frequency conversion in a nonlinear waveguide for all-optical synthetic dimensions.
• Creating simultaneous short- and long-range interactions between spectral lines.
• Implementing triangular chiral-tube lattices and their four-dimensional generalization.
• Generating a synthetic gauge field with nonzero magnetic flux.

Main Results:

• Successful experimental realization of all-optical synthetic dimensions.
• Observation of multidimensional dynamics of frequency combs within a single spatial port.
• Demonstration of tailored interactions between discrete spectral lines.

Conclusions:

• The proposed all-optical method offers a new platform for studying high-dimensional physics.
• This work is a significant step towards utilizing topological effects in optical devices operating in time and frequency domains.
• Enables manipulation of light in artificial lattices beyond current limitations.