Nonlinear nonuniform $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric Bragg grating structures

TL;DR

This paper investigates how parity-time symmetry influences nonlinear, nonuniform fiber Bragg gratings, revealing unique multistable states, control mechanisms for light, and unidirectional transport phenomena in these complex photonic structures.

Contribution

It introduces the effects of $ ext{PT}$-symmetry in nonlinear, chirped fiber Bragg gratings, highlighting new multistable behaviors and control strategies for light propagation.

Findings

Chirping affects hysteresis and bistability dynamics.

Reversing light direction enables low-intensity control of stable states.

Unidirectional wave transport occurs at $ ext{PT}$-symmetry breaking point.

Abstract

We explore the consequences of incorporating parity and time reversal ($\mathcal{PT}$) symmetries on the dynamics of nonreciprocal light propagation exhibited by a class of nonuniform periodic structures known as chirped $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs). The interplay among various grating parameters such as chirping, detuning, nonlinearities, and gain/loss gives rise to unique bi- and multi-stable states in the unbroken as well as broken $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric regimes. The role of chirping on the steering dynamics of the hysteresis curve is influenced by the type of nonlinearities and the nature of detuning parameter. Also, incident directions of the input light robustly impact the steering dynamics of bistable and multistable states both in the unbroken and broken $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric regimes. When the light launching direction is reversed, critical stable states are found to occur at very low intensities which opens up a new avenue for an additional way of controlling light with light. We also analyze the phenomenon of unidirectional wave transport and the reflective bi- and multi-stable characteristics at the so-called $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetry breaking point.