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Article Dans Une Revue Photonics research Année : 2022

Direct observation of zero modes in a non-Hermitian optical nanocavity array

Résumé

Zero modes are symmetry protected ones whose energy eigenvalues have zero real parts. In Hermitian arrays, they arise as a consequence of the sublattice symmetry, implying that they are dark modes. In non-Hermitian systems that naturally emerge in gain/loss optical cavities, particle-hole symmetry prevails instead; the resulting zero modes are no longer dark but feature π / 2 phase jumps between adjacent cavities. Here, we report on the direct observation of zero modes in a non-Hermitian three coupled photonic crystal nanocavities array containing quantum wells. Unlike the Hermitian counterparts, the observation of non-Hermitian zero modes upon single pump spot illumination requires vanishing sublattice detuning, and they can be identified through far-field imaging and spectral filtering of the photoluminescence at selected pump locations. We explain the zero-mode coalescence as a parity-time phase transition for small coupling. These zero modes are robust against coupling disorder and can be used for laser mode engineering and photonic computing.

Dates et versions

hal-03543559 , version 1 (26-01-2022)

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Flore Hentinger, Melissa Hedir, Bruno Garbin, Mathias Marconi, Li Ge, et al.. Direct observation of zero modes in a non-Hermitian optical nanocavity array. Photonics research, 2022, ⟨10.1364/PRJ.440050⟩. ⟨hal-03543559⟩
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