Nonlinear Terahertz Polaritonics in a Quantum Paraelectric

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how quantum paraelectric materials can be used to control terahertz polaritons with high nonlinearities, enabling reconfigurable, all-optical THz signal manipulation and revealing soliton-like propagation in SrTiO3.

Contribution

It introduces quantum paraelectrics as a new platform for THz polaritonics, showing their strong nonlinearities enable reconfigurable control and direct observation of soliton-like propagation.

Findings

Direct observation of ballistic phonon-polariton propagation in SrTiO3.

Discovery of soliton-like, dispersion-free transport in the quantum phase.

Quantum paraelectrics offer a versatile medium for THz photonics.

Abstract

Terahertz (THz) frequency range holds immense potential for high-speed data processing and signal manipulation. However, a fundamental challenge remains: the efficient and tunable control of THz electromagnetic fields. One promising approach is polaritonic engineering, which leverages hybrid light-matter excitations to manipulate THz fields at sub-wavelength scales. Here, we introduce quantum paraelectric materials as a powerful new platform for THz phonon-polaritonics, leveraging the pronounced nonlinearities of incipient ferroelectrics. These nonlinearities enable strong self- and cross-coupling between polaritons, facilitating all-optical, reconfigurable THz signal control. Using a novel space- and time-resolved imaging technique, we directly observe the ballistic propagation of bulk phonon-polaritons in SrTiO$_3$, and uncover soliton-like, dispersion-free transport in its low-temperature, quantum-fluctuation-dominated phase. Our results establish quantum paraelectric solids as a versatile and highly tunable medium for next-generation THz photonics and ultrafast information processing.