Nonlinear imaging in photonic lattices

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that nonlinear imaging can be achieved in photonic lattices by using two segments of nonlinear media with opposite Kerr nonlinearities, enabling effective reverse propagation and control over coupling parameters.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method of nonlinear imaging in photonic lattices using segments with opposite Kerr nonlinearities for reverse propagation.

Findings

Nonlinear imaging is possible with opposite sign Kerr media.

Control of coupling coefficient sign and amplitude is crucial.

Numerical tests confirm the method in 1D and 2D lattices.

Abstract

We show that nonlinear imaging is possible in periodic waveguide configurations provided that we use two different segments of nonlinear media with opposite signs of the Kerr nonlinearity with, in general, no other restriction about their magnitudes. The second medium is used to implement effective "reverse propagation". A main ingredient in achieving nonlinear imaging is the control of the sign and the amplitude of the coupling coefficient. We numerically test our results in one and two dimensional square arrangement of waveguides.