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AIP Advances

Controllable decay in an optical waveguide system

Guijuan Zhao, Ting Zhao, Huifu Xiao, Z. -L. Liu, Jianhong Yang, Yonghui Tian

Published Sep 1, 2016• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The optical waveguide arrays can be employed to simulate the unstable quantum systems when the light propagates in them, which can present the optical Zeno and anti-Zeno effects. In this paper, we propose the scheme of periodic modulation of the coupling coefficient based on the coupling between the straight and cosine bend optical waveguides, which can realize the controllable optical Zeno and anti-Zeno effects. Based on the special decay law, the decay of light intensity in the straight waveguide can be freely controlled by selecting the appropriate observation positions.

DOI
10.1063/1.4963197

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The optical waveguide arrays can be employed to simulate the unstable quantum systems when the light propagates in them, which can present the optical Zeno and anti-Zeno effects. In this paper, we propose the scheme of periodic modulation of the coupling coefficient based on the coupling between the straight and cosine bend optical waveguides, which can realize the controllable optical Zeno and anti-Zeno effects. Based on the special decay law, the decay of light intensity in the straight waveguide can be freely controlled by selecting the appropriate observation positions.
Simultaneous interaction of two side-coupled waveguides with the dressed continuum represented by a linear waveguide array causes cross-coupling between the two evanescent decay-channels and results in the phenomenon of trapping of the light field in the spatial domain during propagation through the waveguide system. For specific parameter values, it has been shown that the trapping effect is possible for all relative positions of the waveguides side-coupled to the dressed continuum. The model also demonstrates non-exponential decay characteristics of the optical field amplitudes in the waveguides. Depending on the values of the propagation mismatch, the nonlinearity arising in the decay-rate characteristics exhibits features like optical Zeno and anti-Zeno effects.
An experimental demonstration of a classical analogue of the quantum Zeno effect for light waves propagating in engineered arrays of tunneling-coupled optical waveguides is reported. Quantitative mapping of the flow of light, based on scanning tunneling optical microscopy, clearly demonstrates that the escape dynamics of light in an optical waveguide side-coupled to a tight-binding continuum is slowed down when projective measurements, mimicked by sequential interruptions of the decay, are performed on the system.
The decay of an unstable system is usually described by an exponential law. Quantum mechanics predicts strong deviations of the survival probability from the exponential: Indeed, the decay is initially quadratic, while at very large times it follows a power law, with superimposed oscillations. The latter regime is particularly elusive and difficult to observe. Here we employ arrays of single-mode optical waveguides, fabricated by femtosecond laser direct inscription, to implement quantum systems where a discrete state is coupled and can decay into a continuum. The optical modes correspond to distinct quantum states of the photon, and the temporal evolution of the quantum system is mapped into the spatial propagation coordinate. By injecting coherent light states in the fabricated photonic structures and by measuring a small scattered fraction of such light with an unprecedented dynamic range, we are able to experimentally observe not only the exponential decay regime, but also the quadratic Zeno region and the power-law decay at long evolution times.
Whereas classical physics generally predicts an exponential trend for the temporal decay of an unstable state, quantum mechanics provides a rather different description. The decay is initially quadratic, while at very large times it follows a power-law. Actually, the latter regime has never been observed experimentally. Here we employ arrays of femtosecond-laser-written optical waveguides to optically realize quantum systems where a discrete state is coupled to and can decay into a continuum. The transverse optical modes represent distinct quantum states of the photon and the temporal evolution of the system is mapped into the longitudinal propagation coordinate. By injecting laser light in the fabricated structures, and by imaging with high dynamic range the scattered light from above, we are able to observe experimentally different decay regimes, including the power-law tail. This process can be viewed as the quantum simulation of a quantum decay phenomenon.
Frequent observations to a quantum system modify its coherent evolution through the Zeno effect and Zeno dynamics. Generally, the measurement process destroys the evolution environment of the monitored system, making repeated observations remain a challenge. Here, using the quantum analogy experiments, we realize and engineer the Zeno effect and Zeno dynamics in optical waveguide arrays, where the optical modes correspond to distinct quantum states, and the temporal evolution is mapped into the spatial propagation. We propose a new, extensible experimental strategy for realizing an optical analog of stroboscopic measurements, which are performed by the build-in, on-demand segmented waveguide portions. The weak-to-strong stroboscopic measurements are realized, where the monitored system undergoes a transition from free evolution to optical Zeno freezing. Setting the measurements in the strong regime, the optical Zeno effect and optical Zeno dynamics are successfully generated, and their relationship is demonstrated in optics. We then propose a novel quantum Zeno slicing approach, which allows us to dynamically engineer the Hilbert space of the monitored system. This generic approach is verified by generating a series of Zeno subspaces with different measurement projectors, based on the quantum-optical analogy. The complexity of light dynamics is largely increased, providing full control of the propagation via steering Zeno dynamics. Our results pave the way for manipulation of quantum states by harnessing Zeno dynamics in integrated photonics.