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Physical Review A

Physics of optical switching

R. L. Fork

Published Oct 1, 1982• 25 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Relatively fundamental problems in physics hinder realization of large information-handling capability offered by optical switching. This paper examines the physics of optical switching in a way which exhibits those problems and which suggests strategies for their solution. The primary limits on optical switches arise from heat generated during the switching process. The principal barriers to easing those limits are the small value of interaction cross sections for atoms in solid-state materials and the lack of high-finesse microresonators for the optical field. The research most relevant to the solution of these problems appears to be that dealing with enhanced atom---optical-field interactions in solid-state microstructures. Short-optical-pulse generation and the short-time dynamics of solid-state microstructures are also highly relevant.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.26.2049

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Relatively fundamental problems in physics hinder realization of large information-handling capability offered by optical switching. This paper examines the physics of optical switching in a way which exhibits those problems and which suggests strategies for their solution. The primary limits on optical switches arise from heat generated during the switching process. The principal barriers to easing those limits are the small value of interaction cross sections for atoms in solid-state materials and the lack of high-finesse microresonators for the optical field. The research most relevant to the solution of these problems appears to be that dealing with enhanced atom---optical-field interactions in solid-state microstructures. Short-optical-pulse generation and the short-time dynamics of solid-state microstructures are also highly relevant.
Weak-light all-optical switches would enhance photonics capabilities and enable important optical quantum information processing tasks, but optical switching based on third-order optical nonlinearity is proving to be elusive and controversial. I discuss strategies to generate large cross-phase modulation by combining double electromagnetically induced transparency, competing atomic transitions, electron population engineering for pulse speed control, and using boundary conditions to confine the transverse field beyond the diffraction limit.
Applied Physics![Figure][1] CREDIT: [ISTOCKPHOTO.COM][2] The backbone of high-speed communications consists of optic fibers that carry information as pulses of light. Light-sensitive bistable optical resonators coupled to the fibers are capable of controlling the transmitted light, allowing access to the higher information transfer rates offered by all-optical switching. However, the relatively high amount of energy (or light intensity) required to switch an optical resonator between its two states (transmission ON, transmission OFF) can be a limiting factor with regard to power requirements. Sandhu et al. use numerical simulations to show that coherent control, or pulse shaping, of the switching light pulses can reduce the input energy requirements for switching the optical resonator. Moreover, because the peak energy input to the resonator is dependent on the phase of the input pulse, switching by phase modulation should be possible, thus offering the potential for even higher bit rates than attainable with intensity modulation–based protocols. Appl. Phys. Lett. 96 , 231108 (2010). [1]: pending:yes [2]: http://ISTOCKPHOTO.COM
Abstract Harnessing optical supermode interaction to construct artificial photonic molecules has uncovered a series of fundamental optical phenomena analogous to atomic physics. Previously, the distinct energy levels and interactions in such two-level systems were provided by coupled microresonators. The reconfigurability is limited, as they often require delicate external field stimuli or mechanically altering the geometric factors. These highly specific approaches also limit potential applications. Here, we propose a versatile on-chip photonic molecule in a multimode microring, utilizing a flexible regulation methodology to dynamically control the existence and interaction strength of spatial modes. The transition between single/multi-mode states enables the “switched-off/on” functionality of the photonic molecule, supporting wider generalized applications scenarios. In particular, “switched-on” state shows flexible and multidimensional mode splitting control in aspects of both coupling strength and phase difference, equivalent to the a.c. and d.c. Stark effect. “Switched-off” state allows for perfect low-loss single-mode transition (Q i ~ 10 million) under an ultra-compact bend size (FSR ~ 115 GHz) in a foundry-based silicon microring. It breaks the stereotyped image of the FSR-Q factor trade-off, enabling ultra-wideband and high-resolution millimeter-wave photonic operations. Our demonstration provides a flexible and portable solution for the integrated photonic molecule system, extending its research scope from fundamental physics to real-world applications such as nonlinear optical signal processing and sixth-generation wireless communication.
Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) has emerged as an important technique for material characterization, finding extensive applications across a diverse range of disciplines including physics, materials science, chemistry, and biology. Its utility stems from the ability to probe the local atomic environments and molecular dynamics within solid materials, which provides information on the composition of the material. In recent years, the scope of solid-state NMR has expanded into the realm of quantum information science and technology, where its abundant many-body interactions pulse control methodologies make it have significant research value and application potential. This paper offers a comprehensive overview of the research objects and theoretical underpinnings of solid-state NMR, delving into the critical nuclear spin interaction mechanisms and their corresponding Hamiltonian forms. These interactions, which include dipolar coupling, chemical shift anisotropy, and quadrupolar interactions, are fundamental to the interpretation of NMR spectra and the understanding of material properties at the atomic level. Moreover, the paper introduces typical dynamical control methods employed in the manipulation of solid-state nuclear spins. Techniques such as dynamical decoupling, which mitigates the effects of spin-spin interactions to extend coherence times, and magic-angle spinning, which averages out anisotropic interactions to yield high-resolution spectra. These methods are essential for enhancing the sensitivity and resolution of NMR experiments, enabling the extraction of detailed structural and dynamic information from complex materials. Then we introduce some recent advancements in quantum control based on solid-state NMR, such as nuclear spin polarization enhancement techniques, which include dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) and cross polarization (CP), significantly boost the sensitivity of NMR measurements. Additionally, the control techniques of Floquet average Hamiltonians are mentioned, showcasing their role in the precise manipulation of quantum states and the realization of quantum dynamics. Finally, the paper presents a series of seminal research works that illustrate the application of solid-state NMR quantum control technologies in the field of quantum simulation. These studies demonstrate how solid-state NMR can be leveraged to simulate and investigate quantum many-body systems, providing valuable insights into quantum phase transitions, entanglement dynamics, and other phenomena relevant to quantum information science. By bridging the gap between fundamental research and practical applications, solid-state NMR continues to play a crucial role in advancing our understanding of quantum materials and technologies.