Passive magnetic-free broadband optical isolator based on unidirectional self-induced transparency

Authors

• Haodong Wu, Nanjing University
• Jianshan Tang, Nanjing University
• Miangyuan Chen, Nanjing University
• Min Xiao, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
• Yanqing Lu, Nanjing University
• Keyu Xia, Nanjing University, China
• Franco Nori, Cluster for Pioneering Research, RIKEN, Wako-shi, Saitama, Japan

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2024

Keywords

laser, photonics, magnet-free isolators

Abstract

Achieving a broadband nonreciprocal device without gain and any external bias is very challenging and highly desirable for modern photonic technologies and quantum networks. Here we theoretically propose a passive and magnetic-free all-optical isolator for a femtosecond laser pulse by exploiting a new mechanism of unidirectional self-induced transparency, obtained with a nonlinear medium followed by a normal absorbing medium at one side. The transmission contrast between the forward and backward directions can reach 14.3 dB for a 2π − 5 fs laser pulse. The 20 dB bandwidth is about 56 nm, already comparable with a magneto-optical isolator. This work provides a new mechanism which may benefit non-magnetic isolation of ultrashort laser pulses.

Citation

Haodong Wu, Jiangshan Tang, Mingyuan Chen, Min Xiao, Yanqing Lu, Keyu Xia, and Franco Nori, "Passive magnetic-free broadband optical isolator based on unidirectional self-induced transparency," Opt. Express 32, 11010-11021 (2024) https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.507019