Bloch oscillations in anti-PT-symmetric electrical circuit resonators

Abstract

Bloch oscillation is a phenomenon from solid state physics, describing a wave packet in periodic potential undergoing periodic oscillations in space, returning to the initial position after one oscillation cycle, under the action of a weak constant force. This wave phenomenon pertains to many physical systems including acoustic or optical resonators, and optical waveguides. Herein, we demonstrate discrete diffraction and Bloch oscillations, in a non-Hermitian electric circuit chain with anti-parity-time (APT) symmetry. The electric circuit chain consists of an LC circuit with operational amplifiers. We theoretically investigate the time-domain dynamics in different symmetry phases of the system. The time evolution of the envelope of voltage is in excellent agreement with coupled mode theory numerical calculations.