Chip‐Based Optical Isolator and Nonreciprocal Parity‐Time Symmetry Induced by Stimulated Brillouin Scattering

Abstract

Realization of chip‐scale nonreciprocal optics such as isolators and circulators is highly demanding for all‐optical signal routing and protection with standard photonics foundry process. Owing to the significant challenge for incorporating magneto‐optical materials on chip, the exploration of magnetic‐free alternatives has become exceedingly imperative in integrated photonics. Here, a chip‐based, tunable all‐optical isolator at the telecommunication band is demonstrated, which is based upon bulk stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) in a high‐Q silica microtoroid resonator. This device exhibits remarkable characteristics over most state‐of‐the‐art implements, including high isolation ratio, no insertion loss, and large working power range. Thanks to the guided acoustic wave and accompanying momentum‐conservation condition, bulk SBS also assist in realizing the nonreciprocal parity‐time symmetry in two directly coupled microresonators. The breach of time‐reversal symmetry further makes the design a versatile arena for developing many formidable ultra‐compact devices such as unidirectional single‐mode Brillouin lasers and supersensitive photonic sensors.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Apr 03, 2020
Source ID
10.1002/lpor.201900278

Entities

People

  • Jianming Wen
  • Jiyang Ma
  • Liang Jiang
  • Min Xiao
  • Shengjun Li
  • Shulin Ding
  • Xiaoshun Jiang
  • Yong Hu

Organizations

  • Army Research Office
  • Kennesaw State University
  • Nanjing University
  • National Science Foundation
  • Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province
  • University of Arkansas
  • University of Chicago

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Integrated Circuit Design and Technology.
  • Optical Physics and Photonics.
  • Quantum Dot Semiconductor Device Photonics and Graphene Optoelectronic Materials and THz Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy