Spectral Signatures of Exceptional Points and Bifurcations in the Fundamental Active Photonic Dimer

TL;DR

This paper investigates the spectral properties and exceptional points in a coupled quantum well laser system, revealing that spectral signatures of bifurcations and exceptional points occur under broad conditions, indicating a shift in non-Hermitian photonics understanding.

Contribution

It demonstrates that spectral signatures of exceptional points and bifurcations are observable in active photonic dimers beyond PT-symmetry constraints, broadening the scope of non-Hermitian photonics.

Findings

Spectral signatures of bifurcations and exceptional points are observable.

Exceptional points occur under general conditions, not limited by PT-symmetry.

Spectral line shape variations can be controlled via optical detuning and pumping.

Abstract

The fundamental active photonic dimer consisting of two coupled quantum well lasers is investigated in the context of the rate equation model. Spectral transition properties and exceptional points are shown to occur under general conditions, not restricted by PT-symmetry as in coupled mode models, suggesting a paradigm shift in the field of non-Hermitian photonics. The optical spectral signatures of system bifurcations and exceptional points are manifested in terms of self-termination effects and observable drastic variations of the spectral line shape that can be controlled in terms of optical detuning and inhomogeneous pumping.