Asymmetric light transmission through a photonic crystal with relaxing Kerr nonlinearity

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how relaxing Kerr nonlinearity in a photonic crystal can induce asymmetric light transmission by symmetry breaking caused by self-trapping of pump pulses, affecting probe pulse transmission.

Contribution

It introduces a novel mechanism for asymmetric light transmission based on relaxing Kerr nonlinearity and self-trapping effects in photonic crystals.

Findings

Asymmetric transmission observed for short and long probe pulses.

Symmetry breaking due to self-trapping causes transmission asymmetry.

Potential applications in optical diodes and unidirectional devices.

Abstract

The idea of asymmetric light transmission through a photonic crystal with relaxing Kerr nonlinearity is presented. This idea is based on the symmetry breaking due to the self-trapping of intensive pump pulse inside the structure. As a result, the asymmetric transmission of the secondary (probe) pulses through the perturbed photonic crystal can be observed. The cases of short and long (quasi-continuous) probe pulses are considered.