[论文解读] Parity-time Symmetry in Non-Hermitian Complex Media

Samit Kumar Gupta, Yi Zou+5 more|arXiv (Cornell University)|Mar 2, 2018

Quantum Mechanics and Non-Hermitian Physics参考文献 173被引用 6

一句话总结

本综述探讨了非厄米复光学与光子系统中的宇称-时间（PT）对称性，利用抛物波方程与薛定谔方程之间的同构性，实现了对光传播的新型调控。本文综合了非厄米光学领域的最新进展，突出展示了光子学与凝聚态系统中关键概念、应用及未来方向。

ABSTRACT

The explorations of the quantum-inspired symmetries in optical and photonic settings have witnessed immense research interests both in the realms of fundamental physics as well as novel technological pursuits in a wide range of subjects including optics, photonics, opto-electronics,condensed matter physics and beyond. One of the principal emerging fields in this context is the so-called parity-time symmetry, originally proposed in the studies pertaining to the quantum mechanics and quantum field theory, recently ramified into diverse areas of physics and engineering, particularly in optics due to the isomorphic correspondence between the paraxial wave equation and Schrodinger equation in quantum mechanics. Ever since its inception in the late nineties, it has become one of the most actively pursued multifaceted research topics and still continuing to accentuate in its diversifying range of subjects, in particular to optics and photonics. This review paper attempts to bring together the state of the art developments in the field of complex non-Hermitian optics and photonics based on the idea of parity-time symmetry in various optical and photonic settings along with elucidating key concepts and providing a future outlook. It can be expected that this trendy field of interest can be indispensable in providing novel perspectives in maneuvering the flow of light in diverse physical platforms and offer distinctive applications prospects in optical, photonic, condensed matter and opto-electronic system configurations.

研究动机与目标

• 基于宇称-时间对称性，综合近期非厄米光学与光子学的进展。
• 通过与量子力学的同构关系，阐明光学系统中PT对称性的基础原理。
• 识别由非厄米动力学所推动的光学、光子学及光电子系统中的新兴应用。
• 提供PT对称系统在物理学与工程学中未来发展方向的全面展望。

提出的方法

• 利用光学中抛物波方程与量子力学中薛定谔方程之间的数学同构性，将量子概念直接映射到光学系统中。
• 分析具有平衡增益与损耗的非厄米哈密顿量，以在光子结构中维持PT对称性。
• 回顾波导、光子晶体与耦合谐振器中PT对称系统的实验实现。
• 研究复折射率分布在实现单向光传输与奇异点中的作用。
• 整合量子场论与凝聚态物理的理论框架，以拓展其在多样化物理平台中的适用性。
• 评估PT对称光学晶格与超材料中稳定性、相变与拓扑特性。

实验结果

研究问题

• RQ1 如何在具有平衡增益与损耗的光学与光子系统中实现并维持PT对称性？
• RQ2 PT对称光子结构中实现单向光传播的基本机制是什么？
• RQ3 PT对称性如何在光学与光电子器件中实现新功能？
• RQ4 奇异点与相变在非厄米光学系统中如何表现？
• RQ5 PT对称概念在凝聚态与光子电路平台中集成的前景如何？

主要发现

• 通过平衡增益与损耗，PT对称性可在复杂光学介质中实现对光流的调控，同时保持实能量谱。
• 抛物波方程与薛定谔方程之间的同构对应关系，使得量子力学洞察可直接应用于光子系统。
• 具有PT对称性的非厄米光学系统表现出独特现象，如单向隐身与增强传感能力。
• PT对称系统中的奇异点可导致非绝热跃迁与具有潜在鲁棒性的拓扑模式，适用于高性能光子器件。
• 该框架为设计具有定制放大与损耗分布的新型光学元件提供了通用平台。
• 该领域正持续拓展至凝聚态与光电子系统，表明其在传统光学之外具有广泛适用性。