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arXiv:2208.09205 · Chinese Physics Letters

Dynamic Nonreciprocity with a Kerr Nonlinear Resonator

Rui-Kai Pan, Lei Tang, Keyu Xia, Franco Nori

Published Nov 1, 2022• 14 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

On-chip optical nonreciprocal devices are vital components for integrated photonic systems and scalable quantum information processing. Nonlinear optical isolators and circulators have attracted considerable attention because of their fundamental interest and their important advantages in integrated photonic circuits. However, optical nonreciprocal devices based on Kerr or Kerr-like nonlinearity are subject to dynamical reciprocity when the forward and backward signals coexist simultaneously in a nonlinear system. Here, we theoretically propose a method for realizing on-chip nonlinear isolators and circulators with dynamic nonreciprocity. Dynamic nonreciprocity is achieved via the chiral modulation on the resonance frequency due to coexisting self- and cross-Kerr nonlinearities in an optical ring resonator. This work showing dynamic nonreciprocity with a Kerr nonlinear resonator can be an essential step toward integrated optical isolation.

DOI
10.1088/0256-307x/39/12/124201

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On-chip optical nonreciprocal devices are vital components for integrated photonic systems and scalable quantum information processing. Nonlinear optical isolators and circulators have attracted considerable attention because of their fundamental interest and their important advantages in integrated photonic circuits. However, optical nonreciprocal devices based on Kerr or Kerr-like nonlinearity are subject to dynamical reciprocity when the forward and backward signals coexist simultaneously in a nonlinear system. Here, we theoretically propose a method for realizing on-chip nonlinear isolators and circulators with dynamic nonreciprocity. Dynamic nonreciprocity is achieved via the chiral modulation on the resonance frequency due to coexisting self- and cross-Kerr nonlinearities in an optical ring resonator. This work showing dynamic nonreciprocity with a Kerr nonlinear resonator can be an essential step toward integrated optical isolation.
Nonreciprocal optical devices play a pivotal role in modern optical systems and advanced quantum technologies. Nonreciprocal devices based on optical nonlinearity have garnered significant attention due to their compatibility with on-chip photonics fabrication techniques. However, when the opposite-propagating continuous waves are incident to such nonlinear nonreciprocal devices simultaneously, achieving dynamic nonreciprocity has remained a formidable challenge. In addition, the devices relying on nonlinear resonators suffer from limited bandwidths. In this paper, we theoretically propose a method for achieving an on-chip isolator and quasicirculator by employing a nonlinear Mach-Zehnder interferometer. Harnessing the chirality between self- and cross-Kerr nonlinearities in the nonlinear arm of the interferometer, our device achieves remarkable dynamic nonreciprocity. We obtain an isolation contrast of $\ensuremath{\geqslant}0.9$ for the optical isolator and fidelity of $\ensuremath{\geqslant}0.97$ for the optical quasicirculator, and a broad bandwidth of 20nm20\phantom{\rule{3.33333pt}{0ex}}\text{nm}20nm for both. Our protocol paves a way to realize a broadband on-chip nonlinear nonreciprocal device.
Optical nonreciprocal devices are critical components in integrated photonic systems and scalable quantum technologies. We propose an all-optical approach to achieve integrated optical nonreciprocity utilizing a moving index grating. The grating is generated in a nonlinear optical waveguide through the Kerr effect by driving the waveguide with two counter-propagating pump fields of slightly different frequencies. Based on this moving index grating, our system exhibits exceptional versatility by achieving both nonreciprocal transmission and reflection of signal fields. We obtain an all-optical isolator that achieves near-unity isolation contrast and negligible insertion loss while effectively addressing the dynamic reciprocity challenge. Our protocol establishes a novel approach for achieving integrated all-optical nonreciprocal devices, paving the way for advanced integrated photonic circuits.
Non-reciprocal optical devices in integrated systems on a chip have attracted great interest due to the increasing demand for researching integrated photonics and silicon photonics. The non-reciprocal devices include optical isolators, circulators, and optical amplifiers. In this paper, We analyze the dynamic nonreciprocity of an optical isolator based on the principle of electromagnetically induced transparency, and show a comparison of the nonreciprocal transmission when waves are transmitted forward and backward. The results show that when energy is transmitted, this isolator can realize signal isolation with specific direction transmission at non-single frequency. This device can be used in a wide range of signal processing and optical communication applications.
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Optical nonlinearity has been widely used to try to produce optical isolators. However, this is very difficult to achieve due to dynamical reciprocity. Here, we show the use of the chiral cross-Kerr nonlinearity of atoms at room temperature to realize optical isolation, circumventing dynamical reciprocity. In our approach, the chiral cross-Kerr nonlinearity is induced by the thermal motion of N-type atoms. The resulting cross phase shift and absorption of a weak probe field are dependent on its propagation direction. This proposed optical isolator can achieve more than 30 dB of isolation ratio, with a low loss of less than 1 dB. By inserting this atomic medium in a Mach-Zehnder interferometer, we further propose a four-port optical circulator with a fidelity larger than 0.9 and an average insertion loss less than 1.6 dB. Using atomic vapor embedded in an on-chip waveguide, our method may provide chip-compatible optical isolation at the single-photon level of a probe field.