# Dissipatively Coupled Waveguide Networks for Coherent Diffusive Photonics

## TL;DR

This paper explores dissipatively coupled waveguide networks that enable novel coherent light control techniques, including optical equalization and channel distribution, by leveraging open quantum system dynamics and reservoir interactions.

## Contribution

It introduces experimental demonstrations of dissipative coupling in photonic circuits for coherent light manipulation and discusses their quantum thermodynamic properties and unique stationary states.

## Key findings

- Systems can perform optical equalization of multimode light
- Networks can guide light into selected channels
- Support for localized stationary states in the continuum

## Abstract

A photonic circuit is generally described as a structure in which light propagates by unitary exchange and transfers reversibly between channels. In contrast, the term `diffusive' is more akin to a chaotic propagation in scattering media, where light is driven out of coherence towards a thermal mixture. Based on the dynamics of open quantum systems, the combination of these two opposites can result in novel techniques for coherent light control. The crucial feature of these photonic structures is dissipative coupling between modes, via an interaction with a common reservoir. Here, we demonstrate experimentally that such systems can perform optical equalisation to smooth multimode light, or act as a distributor, guiding it into selected channels. Quantum thermodynamically, these systems can act as catalytic coherent reservoirs by performing perfect non-Landauer erasure. For lattice structures, localised stationary states can be supported in the continuum, similar to compacton-like states in conventional flat band lattices.