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Physical Review Research

Reversible optical nonreciprocity and its scaling optimization in cold atoms via coherently induced four-wave mixing

Tian-Yun Chen, Jin‐Hui Wu

Published May 11, 2026• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We present a further investigation on the optical nonreciprocity based on four-wave mixing (FWM) by leveraging coherently driven cold atoms, as a beneficial supplement to the usual cavity-waveguide solution in virtue of the on-demand tunability and broadband advantage. We consider two parameter regimes unexplored yet, where the probe and coupling fields are set with vanishing or large detunings while the dressing field is kept on resonance. Numerical results reveal that the forward (backward) probe exhibits a high transmittance (is strongly absorbed) in the resonant regime, but may be largely converted into an FWM field (propagate almost freely) in the far-detuned regime. The optimization of such a reversible unidirectional transmission featured by large isolation ratios and low insertion losses can be attained only when the coupling and dressing fields fulfill different scaling relations in amplitude, which has been well explained via analytical results. It is also viable to achieve reversible unidirectional transmission for a probe field of fixed large detunings by simply tuning the coupling field in a wide spectral range. Our findings provide additional insights into the FWM-based optical nonreciprocity and may enable more powerful unidirectional devices in quantum networks.

DOI
10.1103/t29c-cm3b

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We propose a scheme for realizing nonreciprocal optical scattering with non-Hermitian four-wave mixing (FWM) in a double-Λ system of cold atoms driven by coupling and dressing phase-mismatched standing-wave (SW) fields. Four scattering channels—direct transmission, cross transmission, direct reflection, and cross reflection—can be established for a probe and a signal field, some of which are nonreciprocal due to non-Hermitian spatial modulations when the two SW driving fields exhibit a π/4 phase shift. We find in particular that it is viable to attain single-color unidirectional transport, dual-color unidirectional transport, and single-color directional blockade with respect to a probe and a signal field incident upon this atomic sample from the same side, due to perfect destructive interference between direct and cross scattering channels. This work provides a new paradigm for studying non-Hermitian nonlinear optics and offers a theoretical foundation for designing all-optical atomic devices based on multi-channel nonreciprocal scattering.
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Optical nonreciprocity and nonreciprocal devices such as optical diodes have broad and promising applications in various fields, ranging from optical communication to signal process. Here, we propose a magnet-free nonreciprocal scheme based on the four-wave mixing (FWM) effect in semiconductor quantum dots (SQDs). Via controlling the directions of the coupling fields, the probe field can achieve high transmission in the forward direction within a certain frequency range due to the FWM effect. And the transmission of the probe field in the backward direction undergoes significant reduction, as the FWM effect is absent. The calculation results show a wide nonreciprocal transmission window with isolation greater than 12 dB and insertion loss lower than 0.08 dB. The influences of the Rabi frequencies of the coupling fields, the medium length, and the decay rates on the nonreciprocal propagation of the probe field are also studied, showing the requirements of these parameters for good nonreciprocal performances. Our work may offer an insight for developing optical nonreciprocal devices based on the FWM process and the SQD system.
Nonreciprocal optical devices are important in wide areas, ranging from optical telecommunications to signal processing. Here, we experimentally realize the magnet-free and cavity-free optical nonreciprocity based on phase-matched four-wave mixing (FWM) in hot atoms. Specifically, the isolation of more than 20 dB and insertion loss less than 1 dB without using any optical cavity can be achieved simultaneously. Our results provide general insights into a broad class of parametrically modulated nonreciprocal behavior, paving the way toward optimal nonreciprocal devices based on the nonlinear FWM process.
Optical nonreciprocity has been a popular research topic in recent years. Semiconductor quantum wells (SQWs) play a key role in many high-performance optoelectronic devices. In this paper, we propose a theoretical scheme to achieve nonmagnetic optical nonreciprocity based on the four-wave mixing effect in SQW nanostructures. Using the experimentally available parameters, the nonreciprocal behavior of the probe field in forward direction and backward direction is achieved through this SQW, where both nonreciprocal transmission and nonreciprocal phase shift have high transmission rates. Furthermore, by embedding this SQW nanostructure into a Mach-Zender interferometer, a reconfigurable nonreciprocal device based on high transmission nonreciprocal phase shift that can be used as an isolator or a circulator, is designed and analyzed. The device can be realized as a two-port optical isolator with an isolation ratio of 92.39 dB and an insertion loss of 0.25 dB, and as a four-port optical circulator with a fidelity of 0.9993, a photon survival probability of 0.9518 and a low insertion loss with suitable parameters. Semiconductor media have the advantages of easier integration and tunable parameters, and this scheme can provide theoretical guidance for implementing nonreciprocal and nonreciprocal photonic devices based on semiconductor solid-state media.
Abstract We propose a scheme for realizing broadband and tunable transmission non-reciprocity by utilizing two-photon near-resonant transitions in thermal atoms as single-photon far-detuned transitions can be eliminated. Our basic idea is to largely reduce the Doppler broadenings on a pair of two-photon, probe and coupling, transitions and meanwhile make the only four-photon transition Doppler-free (velocity-dependent) for a forward (backward) probe field. One main advantage of this scheme lies in that the transmission non-reciprocity can be realized and manipulated in a frequency range typically exceeding 200 MHz with isolation ratio above 20 dB and insertion loss below 1.0 dB by modulating an assistant field in frequency and amplitude. The intersecting angle between four applied fields also serves as an effective control knob to optimize the nonreciprocal transmission of a forward or backward probe field, e.g. in a much wider frequency range approaching 1.4 GHz.