Emulating exceptional-point encirclements using imperfect (leaky) photonic components: asymmetric mode-switching and omni-polarizer action
Abstract
Non-Hermitian systems have recently attracted significant attention in photonics. One of the hallmarks of these systems is the possibility of realizing asymmetric mode-switching and omni-polarizer action through the dynamic encirclement of exceptional points (EPs). Here, we offer a new perspective on the operating principle of these devices, and we theoretically and experimentally show that linear asymmetric mode-switching and omni-polarizer action can be easily realized—with the same performance and limitations—using simple configurations that emulate the physics involved in encircling EPs without the complexity of actual encirclement schemes. The proposed concept of “encirclement emulators” and our theoretical and experimental results may allow better assessment of the limitations, practical potential, and applications of EP encirclements in non-Hermitian photonics.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Apr 16, 2021
- Source ID
- 10.1364/optica.412981
Entities
People
- E. Edrei
- Francesco Monticone
- Jacob B Khurgin
- Kunal Shastri
- Roy Zektzer
- Uriel Levy
- Yoel Sebbag
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- National Science Foundation