Kerr Nonlinearity Induced Nonreciprocity in dissipatively coupled resonators

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how Kerr nonlinearities can induce significant nonreciprocal light propagation in coupled resonator systems, even when the linear system shows no nonreciprocity, with potential applications in photonic circuits.

Contribution

It reveals the role of Kerr nonlinearity and bistability in achieving nonreciprocity in dissipatively coupled resonators, a scenario previously not explored.

Findings

Kerr nonlinearities induce nonreciprocity in symmetric resonator systems.

Bistability enhances the degree of nonreciprocity achievable.

Nonreciprocity can be observed independently in each resonator's excitation.

Abstract

Nonlinearity induced nonreciprocity is studied in a system comprising two resonators coupled to a one-dimensional waveguide when the linear system does not exhibit nonreciprocity. The analysis is based on the Hamiltonian of the coupled system and includes the dissipative coupling between the waveguide and resonators, along with the input-output relations. We consider a large number of scenarios which can lead to nonreciprocity. We pay special attention to the case when the linear system does not exhibit nonreciprocal behavior. In this case, we show how very significant nonreciprocal behavior can result from Kerr nonlinearities. We find that the bistability of the nonlinear system can aid in achieving large nonreciprocity. Additionally, We bring out nonreciprocity in the excitation of each resonator, which can be monitored independently. Our results highlight the profound influence of nonlinearity on nonreciprocal behavior, offering a new avenue for controlling light propagation in integrated photonic circuits. Nonlinearity induced nonreciprocity would lead to significant nonreciprocity in quantum fluctuations when our system is treated quantum mechanically.