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Chip‐Based Optical Isolator and Nonreciprocal Parity‐Time Symmetry Induced by Stimulated Brillouin Scattering
Author(s) -
Ma Jiyang,
Wen Jianming,
Ding Shulin,
Li Shengjun,
Hu Yong,
Jiang Xiaoshun,
Jiang Liang,
Xiao Min
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
laser and photonics reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.778
H-Index - 116
eISSN - 1863-8899
pISSN - 1863-8880
DOI - 10.1002/lpor.201900278
Subject(s) - optical isolator , circulator , brillouin scattering , photonics , isolator , resonator , optics , brillouin zone , optical circulator , optoelectronics , insertion loss , materials science , physics , optical fiber , electronic engineering , engineering
Realization of chip‐scale nonreciprocal optics such as isolators and circulators is highly demanding for all‐optical signal routing and protection with standard photonics foundry process. Owing to the significant challenge for incorporating magneto‐optical materials on chip, the exploration of magnetic‐free alternatives has become exceedingly imperative in integrated photonics. Here, a chip‐based, tunable all‐optical isolator at the telecommunication band is demonstrated, which is based upon bulk stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) in a high‐Q silica microtoroid resonator. This device exhibits remarkable characteristics over most state‐of‐the‐art implements, including high isolation ratio, no insertion loss, and large working power range. Thanks to the guided acoustic wave and accompanying momentum‐conservation condition, bulk SBS also assist in realizing the nonreciprocal parity‐time symmetry in two directly coupled microresonators. The breach of time‐reversal symmetry further makes the design a versatile arena for developing many formidable ultra‐compact devices such as unidirectional single‐mode Brillouin lasers and supersensitive photonic sensors.