Double-slit time diffraction at optical frequencies

Tirole, Romain; Vezzoli, Stefano; Galiffi, Emanuele; Robertson, I.; Dries, Maurice,; Tilmann, Benjamin; Maier, S.; Pendry, J. B.; Sapienza, Riccardo

doi:10.1038/s41567-023-01993-w

Cited by 45 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Ultrafast wavefront shaping with spatiotemporal refraction is achieved by inducing refractive index gradients that develop within 100 fs and recover on subpicosecond time scales. The rapid subpicosecond index recovery may enable the construction of photonic time crystals (PTCs) or other time structures, − unveiling new physical phenomena and applications. The phenomenon is strongly enhanced near the ENZ wavelength because of the increased nonlinear material response.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ultrafast Wavefront Shaping via Space-Time Refraction

et al. 2023

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A myriad of metasurfaces have been demonstrated that manipulate light by spatially structuring thin optical layers. Manipulation of the optical properties of such layers in both space and time can unlock new physical phenomena and enable new optical devices. Examples include photon acceleration and frequency conversion, which modifies Snell's relation to a more general, nonreciprocal form. Here, we combine theory and experiment to realize wavefront shaping and frequency conversion on subpicosecond time-scales by inducing space-time refractive index gradients in epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) films with femtosecond light pulses. We experimentally tune wavefront steering by controlling the incident angle of the beams and the pump−probe delay without the need for nanostructure fabrication. As a demonstration of this approach, we leverage the ultrafast, high-bandwidth optical response of transparent oxides in their ENZ wavelength range to create large refractive index gradients and new types of nonreciprocal, ultrafast two-dimensional (2D) optics, including an ultrathin transient lens.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ultrafast Wavefront Shaping via Space-Time Refraction

et al. 2023

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“…The possibility of temporally modulating the optical properties of matter via ultrafast optical pumping is establishing a new paradigm for enhanced wave control . While static nanophotonic platforms obey energy conservation and reciprocity, time-modulated systems can overcome these bounds, enabling new functionalities such as nonreciprocity, − frequency generation and translation, , time-diffraction, the engineering of photonic gauge fields, and synthetic frequency dimensions, as well as photonic Floquet matter, , among others. While the field has witnessed dramatic progress at low frequencies, leading to, e.g., the first observation of photonic time-reflection and temporal coherent wave control, the prospect of unlocking this new wave-control paradigm at near-visible frequencies represents a unique opportunity to broaden and deepen the impact horizon amidst the current rise of photonic technology …”

Section: Enz Media For Time-varying Photonicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(f) Experimental measurement (red) and theoretical prediction (blue) of double-slit time diffraction, produced by shining two pump pulses separated by a delay of (left) 800 fs and (right) 500 fs, resulting in different diffraction fringes. Reproduced with permission from ref . Copyright 2023 Nature.…”

Section: Enz Media For Time-varying Photonicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

New Horizons in Near-Zero Refractive Index Photonics and Hyperbolic Metamaterials

Lobet,

Kinsey,

Liberal

et al. 2023

ACS Photonics

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The engineering of the spatial and temporal properties of both the electric permittivity and the refractive index of materials is at the core of photonics. When vanishing to zero, those two variables provide efficient knobs to control light–matter interactions. This Perspective aims at providing an overview of the state of the art and the challenges in emerging research areas where the use of near-zero refractive index and hyperbolic metamaterials is pivotal, in particular, light and thermal emission, nonlinear optics, sensing applications, and time-varying photonics.

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“…However, the actual possibility for realizing temporal metamaterial concepts is spurring a recent upsurge of experiments on ultrafast modulation of optical systems. [29][30][31]…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantum Antireflection Temporal Coatings: Quantum State Frequency Shifting and Inhibited Thermal Noise Amplification

Liberal

Vázquez‐Lozano

Pacheco‐Peña

2023

Laser & Photonics Reviews

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The quantum optical response of antireflection temporal coatings (ATCs), that is, matching temporal layers that suppress the generation of backward waves in temporal boundaries, is investigated. The results reveal that quantum ATCs are characterized for inducing a frequency shift of the quantum state, while preserving all photon statistics intact. Thus, they can find application for fast quantum frequency shifting in photonic quantum networks. The quantum theory also provides additional insight on their classical mode of operation, clarifying which quantities are preserved through the temporal boundary. Last, it is shown that quantum ATCs allow for fast temporal switching without amplification of thermal fields.

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Double-slit time diffraction at optical frequencies

Cited by 45 publications

References 27 publications

Ultrafast Wavefront Shaping via Space-Time Refraction

Ultrafast Wavefront Shaping via Space-Time Refraction

New Horizons in Near-Zero Refractive Index Photonics and Hyperbolic Metamaterials

Quantum Antireflection Temporal Coatings: Quantum State Frequency Shifting and Inhibited Thermal Noise Amplification

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