Light trapping by non-Hermitian thin films
The authors propose engineering non-Hermitian optical couplers so that external radiation enters the system through such a unidirectional coupler, but cannot escape. Unidirectionality is achieved by combining periodic modulation of the refraction index (the Hermitian part) with the gain or loss (non-Hermitian part) of the coupler. This results in an interesting physical effect, violating the usual action-reaction laws, and also leads to practical consequences, such as enhanced absorption of the trapped light. Enhanced absorption is demonstrated by measuring a greater temperature increase under unidirectional coupling, compared to a reference with symmetric coupling.
Authors
- Algirdas Selskis (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0940-3733)
- Ignas Lukošiūnas (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5518-9010)
- Darius Gailevičius (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1453-3276)
- Lina Grinevičiūtė (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8505-5067)
- Julianija Nikitina (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0544-3329)
- Indre Meskelaite
- Kęstutis Staliūnas (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0539-9538)
Institutions
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ES)
- Vilnius University (LT)
- Center for Physical Sciences and Technology (LT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Physical Review Applied
- Published
- 2025-05-06
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevapplied.23.054014
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Quantum Mechanics and Non-Hermitian Physics
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 2.49
Funders
- Lietuvos Mokslo Taryba
- Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación