Coherent perfect absorption of nonlinear matter waves

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the first experimental realization of coherent perfect absorption for nonlinear matter waves in a Bose-Einstein condensate, highlighting new control mechanisms due to nonlinear interactions.

Contribution

It extends the concept of coherent perfect absorption to nonlinear waves and experimentally demonstrates it in matter waves, which was not previously achieved.

Findings

Achieved coherent perfect absorption in nonlinear matter waves

Nonlinear interactions facilitate easier absorption control

Potential applications in nonlinear optics and atomic lasers

Abstract

Coherent perfect absorption is the complete extinction of incoming radiation by a complex potential in a physical system supporting wave propagation. The concept was proven for linear waves in variety of systems including light interacting with absorbing scatterers, plasmonic metasurfaces and graphene films, as well as sound waves. We extend the paradigm to coherent perfect absorption of nonlinear waves and experimentally demonstrate it for matter waves in an atomic Bose-Einstein condensate. Coherent absorption of nonlinear matter waves is achieved easier than its linear analogs because the strength of two-body interactions offers additional freedom for control. Implementation of the coherent perfect absorber of Bose-Einstein condensates paves the way towards broad exploitation of the phenomenon in nonlinear optics, exciton-polariton condensates, acoustics, and other areas of nonlinear physics. It also opens perspectives for designing atomic laser.