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arXiv · 1409.0725

Ultra-Low-Power Hybrid Light-Matter Solitons

L. Tinkler·P. M. Walker·D. V. Skryabin·A. Yulin·B. Royall·I. Farrer·D. A. Ritchie·D. N. Krizhanovskii·M. S. Skolnick
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Abstract

New functionalities in nonlinear optics will require systems with giant optical nonlinearity as well as compatibility with photonic circuit fabrication techniques. Here we introduce a new platform based on strong light-matter coupling between waveguide photons and quantum-well excitons. On a sub-millimeter length scale we generate sub-picosecond bright temporal solitons at a pulse energy of only 0.5 pico-Joules. From this we deduce an unprecedented nonlinear refractive index 3 orders of magnitude larger than in any other ultrafast system. We study both temporal and spatio-temporal nonlinear effects and for the first time observe dark-bright spatio-temporal solitons. Theoretical modelling of soliton formation in the strongly coupled system confirms the experimental observations. These results show the promise of our system as a high speed, low power, integrated platform for physics and devices based on strong interactions between photons.

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L. Tinkler, P. M. Walker, D. V. Skryabin, A. Yulin, B. Royall, I. Farrer, D. A. Ritchie, D. N. Krizhanovskii, M. S. Skolnick. 2014-09-02. Ultra-Low-Power Hybrid Light-Matter Solitons. https://arxiv.org/abs/1409.0725

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