Nonlinearity-induced broadening of resonances in dynamically modulated couplers

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how nonlinearity broadens resonance features in dynamically modulated optical couplers, enabling localization at lower power levels and detuned conditions, which enhances control over light propagation.

Contribution

It reveals the effect of nonlinearity on resonance broadening in harmonically modulated couplers, a novel insight for controlling light in integrated photonics.

Findings

Nonlinearity broadens resonance widths in modulated couplers.

Localization occurs at lower powers due to nonlinearity.

Resonance inhibition is achieved even with detuned systems.

Abstract

We report the observation of nonlinearity-induced broadening of resonances in dynamically modulated directional couplers. When the refractive index of the guiding channels in the coupler is harmonically modulated along the propagation direction and out-of-phase in two channels, coupling can be completely inhibited at resonant modulation frequencies. We observe that nonlinearity broadens such resonances and that localization can be achieved even in detuned systems at power levels well below those required in unmodulated couplers.