Revisiting the Bragg reflector to illustrate some modern developments in optics

TL;DR

This paper revisits the classical Bragg reflector to demonstrate its relevance in illustrating modern developments in optics and quantum physics, including transfer matrix methods, cold atom optics, optomechanical cooling, and non-reciprocal systems.

Contribution

It connects the traditional Bragg reflector concept with contemporary topics in optics and quantum physics, providing educational insights into advanced phenomena.

Findings

Demonstrates transfer matrix techniques in modern contexts

Shows applications to cold trapped atom optics

Illustrates optical non-reciprocity in simple systems

Abstract

A series of thin layers of alternating refractive index is known to make a good optical mirror over certain bands of frequency. Such a device - often termed the Bragg reflector - is usually introduced to students within the first years of an undergraduate degree, often in isolation from other parts of the course. Here we show that the basic physics of wave propagation through a stratified medium can be used to illustrate some more modern developments in optics as well as quantum physics; from transfer matrix techniques, to the optical properties of cold trapped atoms, optomechanical cooling, and a simple example of a system exhibiting an appreciable level of optical non-reciprocity.