Multiple Quantum Wells for PT-Symmetric Phononic Crystals

Novel acoustic flat focusing based on the asymmetric response in parity-time-symmetric phononic crystals

We present a two-dimensional (2D) parity-time-symmetric (PT-symmetry) phononic crystals (PCs) with balanced gain and loss medium. Using the super cell method of rectangular lattice, we exhibit the thresholdless spontaneous PT-symmetry breaking in the band structure. The numerical results show that the asymmetric scattering properties obviously occur in a non-Hermitian system. At two specific incident frequencies, unidirectional reflectionless and perfect transmission behaviors exist individually in opposite directions, which are accompanied by a phase transition of π. Based on the generalized Snell’s law, combining such a PT-symmetric medium, we design a novel metamaterial crystal for PT-symmetric acoustic flat focusing. Its focus frequency can also be modulated by the gain/loss parameter. The novel flat focusing based on the PT-symmetry that we propose opens a new door for high-dimensional applications of non-Hermitian metamaterials in acoustic wave manipulation.

Exceptional points for photon pairs bound by nonlinear dissipation in cavity arrays

We theoretically study the dissipative Bose-Hubbard model describing the array of tunneling-coupled cavities with non-conservative photon-photon interaction. The bound two-photon states are formed in this system either in the limited range of the center-of-mass wave vectors or in the full Brillouin zone, depending on the strength of the dissipative interaction. Transition between these two regimes is manifested as an exceptional point in the complex energy spectrum. This improves fundamental understanding of the interplay of non-Hermiticity and interactions in the quantum structures and can potentially be used for on-demand nonlinear light generation in photonic lattices.

Parity-time-symmetric mechanical systems by the cavity optomechanical effect

Parity-time (PT) symmetry, an interesting concept originally introduced in quantum mechanics, has been extended to many other branches of physics. Besides its demonstrations in optics and electronics, the study of PT-symmetric mechanics is growing rapidly. To date, most PT-symmetric mechanical systems have relatively large size and low operating frequency, which limits their applications in high-speed sensing and signal processing. Here, we propose a PT-symmetric mechanical system with gain/loss provided by the cavity optomechanical effect, which can overcome those limitations. We theoretically analyze and numerically simulate the optical control of PT-symmetric optomechanical systems that consist of two or more mechanical resonators. We find the property of unidirectional reflection in these systems, which may pave the way for the study of topological acoustics and phononic signal processing.

Unidirectional Wave Vector Manipulation in Two-Dimensional Space with an All Passive Acoustic Parity-Time-Symmetric Metamaterials Crystal

Exploring the concept of non-Hermitian Hamiltonians respecting parity-time symmetry with classical wave systems is of great interest as it enables the experimental investigation of parity-time-symmetric systems through the quantum-classical analogue. Here, we demonstrate unidirectional wave vector manipulation in two-dimensional space, with an all passive acoustic parity-time-symmetric metamaterials crystal. The metamaterials crystal is constructed through interleaving groove- and holey-structured acoustic metamaterials to provide an intrinsic parity-time-symmetric potential that is two-dimensionally extended and curved, which allows the flexible manipulation of unpaired wave vectors. At the transition point from the unbroken to broken parity-time symmetry phase, the unidirectional sound focusing effect (along with reflectionless acoustic transparency in the opposite direction) is experimentally realized over the spectrum. This demonstration confirms the capability of passive acoustic systems to carry the experimental studies on general parity-time symmetry physics and further reveals the unique functionalities enabled by the judiciously tailored unidirectional wave vectors in space.

Phonoritonic Crystals with a Synthetic Magnetic Field for an Acoustic Diode

We develop a rigorous theoretical framework to describe light-sound interaction in the laser-pumped periodic multiple-quantum-well structure accounting for hybrid phonon-polariton excitations, termed phonoritons. We show that phonoritons exhibit the pumping-induced synthetic magnetic field in the artificial "coordinate-energy" space that makes transmission of left- and right- going waves different. The sound transmission nonreciprocity allows one to use such phonoritonic crystals with realistic parameters as optically controlled nanoscale acoustic diodes.