Search
Menu
PI Physik Instrumente - Revolution In Photonics Align LW LB 3/24

Enhancing Sensitivity at Higher-Order Exceptional Points

Facebook X LinkedIn Email
ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 1, 2017 — Active photonic molecule lasers that are non-uniformly pumped could provide a way to generate high sensitivity exceptional points in a systematic way. A research team at the University of Central Florida’s College of Optics & Photonics (CREOL) has demonstrated this concept. The team generated second order exceptional points using a coupled binary photonic molecule under parity-time symmetric conditions and extended this concept to higher-order exceptional points. The researchers generated a higher-order exceptional point by coupling three micro-rings made from a semiconductor laser materal. The third-order exceptional point has an even higher, cube-root (rather than square-root) dependence on perturbations. 

To achieve higher-order exception point sensitivity, the team fabricated a device consisting of three coupled, InGaAs ring resonators, each planted on top of a 150-nm-thick gold platform that served as a microheating element. They then pumped the system with 1064-nm light, dynamically shaping the beam and tweaking the microheaters until the system reached a third-order exceptional point.

Enhancing sensitivity at higher exception points, UCF CREOL.


Parity–time-symmetric coupled cavity systems that support exceptional points.The CREOL team used three coupled ring resonators, atop gold heating elements, to create a third-order exceptional point. Courtesy of University of Central Florida.

To experimentally verify this enhanced sensitivity response, the team simulated sensor perturbations by making tiny adjustments to the microheaters. They found that the frequency shift scaled according to the cube root of the perturbation — an indication that the system did attain a third-order exceptional point. Using this scheme, the team could record more than an order of magnitude enhancement in sensitivity.

According to the researchers, their results “may pave the way toward a new class of on-chip ultrasensitive sensing systems.” Professor Mercedeh Khajavikhan and the team are planning to use this sensitivity enhancement to develop a new generation of integrated ring laser gyroscopes that can be used in a variety of applications from drones to driverless cars to game controllers.

The research was published in Nature (doi:10.1038/nature23280).   


Rocky Mountain Instruments - Custom Assemblies MR

Published: September 2017
Glossary
micro-optics
Micro-optics refers to the design, fabrication, and application of optical components and systems at a microscale level. These components are miniaturized optical elements that manipulate light at a microscopic level, providing functionalities such as focusing, collimating, splitting, and shaping light beams. Micro-optics play a crucial role in various fields, including telecommunications, imaging systems, medical devices, sensors, and consumer electronics. Key points about micro-optics: ...
nano
An SI prefix meaning one billionth (10-9). Nano can also be used to indicate the study of atoms, molecules and other structures and particles on the nanometer scale. Nano-optics (also referred to as nanophotonics), for example, is the study of how light and light-matter interactions behave on the nanometer scale. See nanophotonics.
Research & TechnologyeducationAmericasImagingSensors & DetectorsOpticsmicro-opticsnanooptomechanics

We use cookies to improve user experience and analyze our website traffic as stated in our Privacy Policy. By using this website, you agree to the use of cookies unless you have disabled them.