Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Physical Review A

Wavelength conversion via dynamic refractive index tuning of a cavity

Masaya Notomi, Satoshi Mitsugi

Published May 11, 2006• 229 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We demonstrate numerically that the wavelength conversion of light is possible by the simple dynamic refractive index tuning of an optical cavity in a photonic crystal. We also clarify the mechanism and conservation rule for this conversion process. In addition, we discuss the observability of this phenomenon in realistic cavities. Our results indicate that this linear adiabatic wavelength conversion process can be observed for various high-$Q$ microcavities.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.73.051803

Related papers

Nonlinear frequency conversion of light inside a microcavity

Emre Yüce

Changing the color of light in a small mode volume is essential for applications that require on-chip operation. Microcavities are profound structures given their property to confine light in a small mode volume. Here, I numerically investigate the frequency conversion of light in a microcavity and show that the frequency converted light intensity is distinguished from an open medium such as an optical fiber or a nonlinear crystal. I observe that the frequency converted light intensity increases with increased rate of change of the refractive index of the microcavity. Notably, this study shows that the intensity of the frequency converted light is maximized when the duration of the index perturbation is matched to the cavity storage time. The results provide a set of optimum parameters for increasing frequency conversion efficiency inside a microcavity.

TURKISH JOURNAL OF PHYSICS•Apr 8, 2019•0 citations

Dynamic mode theory of optical resonators undergoing refractive index changes

Brian A. Daniel, Drew N. Maywar, Govind Prasad Agrawal

We present a theoretical model describing the dynamics of the electromagnetic field in an optical resonator undergoing refractive index changes. We use an operator formulation of Maxwell’s equations with a standard time-dependent perturbation theory to derive the dynamic mode-amplitude equations that govern the response of a resonator to a perturbing dipole-moment density. We show that in the case of time-dependent changes in the refractive index, a coupling matrix Γkm(t) that appears in the equations accounts for all novel physical processes that can be expected to occur. In particular, the phenomenon of adiabatic wavelength conversion is governed by the diagonal elements of this matrix, and the off-diagonal elements are responsible for the transfer of energy from an excited resonator mode into its neighboring modes. Our model clearly shows that the latter process can occur only when the index changes are spatially nonuniform. We discuss the spatially uniform and nonuniform cases separately and compare the predictions of our model with experimental data available in the literature. The overall good agreement suggests that this model should be useful in the study of dynamic optical resonators. Moreover, since we do not make any assumptions about the type of dielectric cavity used, the width of input pulses, or the speed with which the refractive index is changed, this model should be applicable under most experimental situations.

Journal of the Optical Society of America B•Aug 22, 2011•35 citations

Investigation of the dynamic features of a moveable ultrahigh-Q nanocavity

Jiahui Chen, Yuan‐Bao Zhang, Chao Li +1 more

Although the approach of forming an ultrahigh-Q nanocavity via local refractive index tuning in a PC waveguide was proposed a decade ago, it has not yet been employed to realize a moveable ultrahigh-Q nanocavity, so the dynamic physics related to a moving resonator remain unknown. Here we demonstrate that a dynamically-formed cavity is essentially moveable, so we can use this nanocavity to trap, store, and transfer signal photons, enabling greater photon control. For a high cavity moving speed, we find the trapped signal energy will radiate out of the moving cavity. We think this interesting phenomenon originates from Doppler-effect-induced resonant frequency split in a moving resonator and the accompanied Purcell-like effect, which has never been reported before, to the best of our knowledge. In addition, we present an analytical model to reveal why and how the trapping and storing processes are accompanied by significant spectral bandwidth compression and dynamic wavelength conversion, which are critical for achieving dynamic ultrahigh-Q nanocavity. This approach may find application in photon memories, quantum computing, and controllable light-matter interactions.

Results in Physics•Jul 6, 2022•1 citation

Nonlinear and adiabatic control of light in a photonic crystal chip

Masaya Notomi, Takasumi Tanabe, Eiichi Kuramochi +2 more

Recent progress in ultrahigh-Q and ultrasmall cavities based on photonic-crystal slabs have impacts on various phenomena. We report our recent investigations of all-optical bistable switching/memory action toward all-optical logic, and novel adiabatic tuning phenomena (wavelength conversion, opto-mechanical energy conversion, and photon dynamic memory).

IEEE/LEOS Winter Topical Meeting Series•Jan 1, 2008•0 citations

Optical pulse propagation in dynamic Fabry–Perot resonators

Yuzhe Xiao, Drew N. Maywar, Govind Prasad Agrawal

We present a simple and intuitive model based on the impulse response of linear electrical systems for describing the propagation of optical pulses through a dynamic Fabry–Perot resonator whose refractive index changes with time. Our model shows that the adiabatic wavelength conversion process in resonators results from a scaling of the round-trip time with index changes. For pulses longer than the cavity round-trip time, we find that more energy can be transferred to the new wavelength when the input pulses are slightly detuned from the cavity resonance and the refractive index does not change too rapidly. In fact, the optimum duration of index changes scales with the photon lifetime of the resonator. We describe the evolution of the shape and spectrum of picosecond pulses inside a resonator under a variety of input conditions and with the magnitude and duration of index variations. We also apply our general theory to the case of pulses whose widths are shorter than the round-trip time and derive an analytical expression for the output field under quite general conditions. This analysis reveals a shifting of the spectral comb as well as compression of the temporal pulse train that depends on the both the magnitude and sign of the index change. Our results should find applications in the area of optical signal processing using resonant photonic structures.

Journal of the Optical Society of America B•Jun 13, 2011•18 citations

Completely Capturing Light Pulses in a Few Dynamically Tuned Microcavities

Clayton R. Otey, Michelle L. Povinelli, Shanhui Fan

We describe a dynamically tuned system capable of capturing light pulses incident from a waveguide in a pair of microcavities. We use coupled mode theory to design a method for determining how to tune the microcavity resonant frequencies. The results show that pulses can be captured almost completely, with arbitrarily small reflected power. We optimize the pulse capture bandwidth by varying the cavity coupling constants and show that the maximum bandwidth is comparable to the resonant-frequency tuning range. Our system may be implemented using refractive-index tuning in a 2-D silicon photonic crystal slab. Current technology would allow for capture of pulses with widths as low as ~100 ps, with a holding time limited only by cavity loss rates.

Journal of Lightwave Technology•Dec 1, 2008•18 citations
We demonstrate numerically that the wavelength conversion of light is possible by the simple dynamic refractive index tuning of an optical cavity in a photonic crystal. We also clarify the mechanism and conservation rule for this conversion process. In addition, we discuss the observability of this phenomenon in realistic cavities. Our results indicate that this linear adiabatic wavelength conversion process can be observed for various high-QQQ microcavities.
Changing the color of light in a small mode volume is essential for applications that require on-chip operation. Microcavities are profound structures given their property to confine light in a small mode volume. Here, I numerically investigate the frequency conversion of light in a microcavity and show that the frequency converted light intensity is distinguished from an open medium such as an optical fiber or a nonlinear crystal. I observe that the frequency converted light intensity increases with increased rate of change of the refractive index of the microcavity. Notably, this study shows that the intensity of the frequency converted light is maximized when the duration of the index perturbation is matched to the cavity storage time. The results provide a set of optimum parameters for increasing frequency conversion efficiency inside a microcavity.
We present a theoretical model describing the dynamics of the electromagnetic field in an optical resonator undergoing refractive index changes. We use an operator formulation of Maxwell’s equations with a standard time-dependent perturbation theory to derive the dynamic mode-amplitude equations that govern the response of a resonator to a perturbing dipole-moment density. We show that in the case of time-dependent changes in the refractive index, a coupling matrix Γkm(t) that appears in the equations accounts for all novel physical processes that can be expected to occur. In particular, the phenomenon of adiabatic wavelength conversion is governed by the diagonal elements of this matrix, and the off-diagonal elements are responsible for the transfer of energy from an excited resonator mode into its neighboring modes. Our model clearly shows that the latter process can occur only when the index changes are spatially nonuniform. We discuss the spatially uniform and nonuniform cases separately and compare the predictions of our model with experimental data available in the literature. The overall good agreement suggests that this model should be useful in the study of dynamic optical resonators. Moreover, since we do not make any assumptions about the type of dielectric cavity used, the width of input pulses, or the speed with which the refractive index is changed, this model should be applicable under most experimental situations.
Although the approach of forming an ultrahigh-Q nanocavity via local refractive index tuning in a PC waveguide was proposed a decade ago, it has not yet been employed to realize a moveable ultrahigh-Q nanocavity, so the dynamic physics related to a moving resonator remain unknown. Here we demonstrate that a dynamically-formed cavity is essentially moveable, so we can use this nanocavity to trap, store, and transfer signal photons, enabling greater photon control. For a high cavity moving speed, we find the trapped signal energy will radiate out of the moving cavity. We think this interesting phenomenon originates from Doppler-effect-induced resonant frequency split in a moving resonator and the accompanied Purcell-like effect, which has never been reported before, to the best of our knowledge. In addition, we present an analytical model to reveal why and how the trapping and storing processes are accompanied by significant spectral bandwidth compression and dynamic wavelength conversion, which are critical for achieving dynamic ultrahigh-Q nanocavity. This approach may find application in photon memories, quantum computing, and controllable light-matter interactions.
We present a simple and intuitive model based on the impulse response of linear electrical systems for describing the propagation of optical pulses through a dynamic Fabry–Perot resonator whose refractive index changes with time. Our model shows that the adiabatic wavelength conversion process in resonators results from a scaling of the round-trip time with index changes. For pulses longer than the cavity round-trip time, we find that more energy can be transferred to the new wavelength when the input pulses are slightly detuned from the cavity resonance and the refractive index does not change too rapidly. In fact, the optimum duration of index changes scales with the photon lifetime of the resonator. We describe the evolution of the shape and spectrum of picosecond pulses inside a resonator under a variety of input conditions and with the magnitude and duration of index variations. We also apply our general theory to the case of pulses whose widths are shorter than the round-trip time and derive an analytical expression for the output field under quite general conditions. This analysis reveals a shifting of the spectral comb as well as compression of the temporal pulse train that depends on the both the magnitude and sign of the index change. Our results should find applications in the area of optical signal processing using resonant photonic structures.
We describe a dynamically tuned system capable of capturing light pulses incident from a waveguide in a pair of microcavities. We use coupled mode theory to design a method for determining how to tune the microcavity resonant frequencies. The results show that pulses can be captured almost completely, with arbitrarily small reflected power. We optimize the pulse capture bandwidth by varying the cavity coupling constants and show that the maximum bandwidth is comparable to the resonant-frequency tuning range. Our system may be implemented using refractive-index tuning in a 2-D silicon photonic crystal slab. Current technology would allow for capture of pulses with widths as low as ~100 ps, with a holding time limited only by cavity loss rates.