Search arXiv⌕ Search
Home/Archive/arXiv

arXiv · 1205.1849

Light Transport in Random Media with ${\cal PT}$-Symmetry

Samuel Kalish·Zin Lin·Tsampikos Kottos
View original source ↗Read source document ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

The scattering properties of randomly layered optical media with ${\cal PT}$-symmetric index of refraction are studied using the transfer-matrix method. We find that the transmitance decays exponentially as a function of the system size, with an enhanced rate $ξ_γ(W)^{-1}=ξ_0(W)^{-1}+ξ_γ (0)^{-1}$, where $ξ_0(W)$ is the localization length of the equivalent passive random medium and $ξ_γ(0)$ is the attenuation/amplification length of the corresponding perfect system with a ${\cal PT}$-symmetric refraction index profile. While transmitance processes are reciprocal to left and right incident waves, the reflectance is enhanced from one side and is inversely suppressed from the other, thus allowing such ${\cal PT}$-symmetric random media to act as unidirectional coherent absorbers.

Explore related subjects

physics.optics

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Samuel Kalish, Zin Lin, Tsampikos Kottos. 2012-05-09. Light Transport in Random Media with ${\cal PT}$-Symmetry. https://arxiv.org/abs/1205.1849

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related papers

arXiv2026

Nonlinear Magneto-Optical Probing of Time-Reversal Symmetry Breaking

Solid-state harmonic generation provides a nonlinear probe of symmetries encoded in electronic wave functions. In the subgap and weak-injection regime, time reversal pairs the harmonic responses driven by fields of opposite ellipticity, strongly suppressing elliptical dichroism in time-reversal-symmetric crystals. We show that, in a magnetic crystal, spin-orbit coupling transfers time-reversal-symmetry breaking from the spin sector to the orbital wave functions and lifts this pairing through the geometric phases of the electric-dipole current. Semiconductor-Bloch-equation calculations for centrosymmetric bilayer Cr2Ge2Te6 predict pronounced third-harmonic elliptical dichroism that reverses with the magnetization. Under linearly polarized driving, SOC-induced geometric-phase accumulation generates a nonlinear transverse current and strongly enhances the harmonic rotation and ellipticity. These results identify the geometric phase as a key microscopic contribution to the nonlinear magneto-optical response. This work establishes helicity-resolved harmonic emission and nonlinear polarimetry as complementary probes of spin-orbit-coupled magnetic order.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2026

Spatiotemporal topological phase transitions in photonic spacetime crystals

Topological phase transitions have played a central role in topological physics. However, such transitions have so far been restricted to spatial or temporal crystals. Here, we transcend this conventional framework and report, for the first time, spatiotemporal topological phase transitions in photonic spacetime crystals - structures that are periodically modulated in both space and time. In a genuine photonic spacetime crystal composed of a dynamically modulated transmission-line metamaterial, we theoretically propose and experimentally demonstrate complete spatiotemporal topological phase transitions, characterized by the closing and reopening of both energy and momentum band gaps, along with changes in spatiotemporal topological invariants and topological phases. Furthermore, we directly observe a spatiotemporal, topologically localized state that exhibits causality-governed excitation and robustness to spatiotemporal disorders. Our findings reveal the interplay among space, time, and topology, establishing a unified framework that provides a comprehensive picture of the emerging topological spacetime physics and opening new avenues for robust spatiotemporal topological wave manipulations.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2026

High-Resolution Sensing via Quantum States Discrimination

High-resolution sensing plays a significant role in scientific research and industrial production, but the practical implementation is constrained by the physical mechanisms of the sensors. To address the critical limitation, we propose a high-resolution sensing approach based on quantum state discrimination. Distinct from conventional strategies, the proposed approach constructs measurement operators in the orthogonal complement space rather than eigenspace of the eigenstate, thereby notably improving the discriminability among quantum states. Moreover, the experimental results via an optical microcavity demonstrate a potential sensing resolution of 4 $\times$ 10\textsuperscript{-6} \degree C and 18 p$ε$ respectively for temperature and strain, and further verify the feasibility of simultaneous sensing of the two parameters. This work establishs a universal approach for high-resolution sensing, and may be extended to different sensing platforms across various application scenarios.

physics.optics↗