Nonlinear optical dynamics of two-dimensional super-lattices of quantum V-emitters

Abstract

We study theoretically the nonlinear optical response of a super-lattice of regularly arranged three-level identical quantum emitters with a doublet in the excited state to the action of a monochromatic electromagnetic field quasi-resonant to optical transitions in the emitter, using into account the dephasing of the system. The total retarded dipole-dipole interaction of the emitters is accounted for in the mean-field approximation. This interaction plays the role of positive feedback, which (in combination with the immanent nonlinearity of emitters themselves) leads to multistability of the super-lattice response. The stability of different response branches is analyzed using the Lyapunov exponents’ method. Another important property of the super-lattice is its high reflectance in a certain frequency range; i.e., within this range, the super-lattice operates as a perfect nanometer mirror; moreover, reflection can be switched to transmission changing slightly the incident field amplitude (bistability). The possibility of the application of the above-mentioned super-lattice optical properties in nanophotonics is discussed.