Maryland model in optical waveguide lattices

TL;DR

This paper proposes a photonic realization of the Maryland model using optical waveguide lattices, demonstrating the fragility of wave localization in the commensurate potential limit, bridging mathematical theory and experimental optics.

Contribution

It introduces a novel optical waveguide lattice setup to realize the Maryland model, enabling experimental observation of its key localization fragility prediction.

Findings

Observation of wave localization fragility in optical lattices

Experimental validation of Maryland model predictions

Linking mathematical models to photonic systems

Abstract

The Maryland model was introduced more than 30 years ago as an integrable model of localization by aperiodic order. Even though quite popular and rich of fascinating mathematical properties, this model has so far remained quite artificial, as compared to other models displaying dynamical localization like the periodically-kicked quantum rotator or the Aubry-Andre$^{\prime}$ model. Here we suggest that light propagation in a polygonal optical waveguide lattice provides a photonic realization of the Maryland model and enables to observe a main prediction of this model, namely fragility of wave localization in the commensurate potential limit.