Bragg-induced power oscillations in PT symmetric periodic photonic structures

TL;DR

This paper investigates how PT symmetry in periodic photonic structures causes unique Bragg power oscillations, asymmetric mode dynamics, and enhanced transmission, supported by analytical and numerical studies.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed analysis of Bragg-induced power oscillations in PT symmetric lattices, revealing phenomena absent in Hermitian systems.

Findings

Observation of controlled Bragg power oscillations via PT symmetry

Identification of asymmetrical mode dynamics in PT systems

Demonstration of trapped enhanced transmission in simulations

Abstract

We study Bragg-induced power oscillations in Fourier space between a pair of optical resonant transverse modes propagating through a periodic PT symmetric lattice, represented by a refractive index that includes gain and loss in a balanced way. Our results imply that the PT-symmetric system shows exceptionally rich phenomena absent in its Hermitian counterpart. It is demonstrated that the resonant modes exhibit unique characteristics such as Bragg power oscillations controlled via the PT symmetry, severe asymmetry in mode dynamics, and trapped enhanced transmission. We have also performed numerical simulations in (1+1) and (2+1) dimensions of propagating Gaussian beams to compare with analytical calculations developed under a two-waves model.