Events at Physics |
The second part of the talk addresses a novel effect, namely nonreciprocal optical Bloch oscillation, recently proposed and developed by us [1, 2]. Our work has established a comprehensive theoretical basis for the implementation of nonreciprocal and unidirectional optical Bloch oscillations. The model system we developed consists of one-dimensional waveguide arrays in silicon-on-insulator platforms with magnetic garnet cover layers. An optical force is introduced into the array through geometrical design, pushing the beam sideways. Laterally displaced photons are periodically returned to a central guide by photonic-crystal action, producing beam revival in the central guide. The unidirectional Bloch oscillation effect allows the implementation of on-chip optical isolation, a technologically important function in photonic integrated circuits [3].
[1] M. Levy and P. Kumar, Optics Letters Vol. 35, Issue 18, page 3147-3149 (2010)
[2] P. Kumar and M. Levy, Optics Letters Vol. 36, Issue 22, page 4359-4361 (2011)
[3] P. Kumar and M. Levy, Optics Letters Vol. 37, Issue 18, page 3762-3764 (2012)