Theory and Numerical Modelling of Parity-Time Symmetric Structures in Photonics: Introduction and Grating Structures in One Dimension

TL;DR

This paper explores the principles and modeling of one-dimensional PT-symmetric photonic structures, analyzing ideal and realistic materials, and introduces an all-optical memory device leveraging non-linear effects.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive theoretical and numerical analysis of PT-symmetric gratings, including realistic material considerations and a novel application in all-optical memory devices.

Findings

PT-symmetric gratings exhibit unique reflection and transmission properties.

Realistic material properties significantly influence device behavior.

Non-linear effects enable the development of all-optical memory devices.

Abstract

A class of structures based on PT PT-symmetric Bragg gratings in the presence of both gain and loss is studied. The basic concepts and properties of parity and time reversal in one-dimensional structures that possess idealised material properties are given. The impact of realistic material properties on the behaviour of these devices is then investigated. Further extension to include material non-linearity is used to study an innovative all-optical memory device.