Observation of spatial optical diametric drive acceleration in photonic lattices

Abstract

We experimentally and theoretically demonstrate a spatial diametric drive acceleration of two mutually incoherent optical beams in 1D optical lattices under a self-defocusing nonlinearity. The two beams, exciting the modes at the top/bottom edges of the first Bloch band and hence experiencing normal/anomalous diffraction, can bind together and bend in the same direction during nonlinear propagation, analogous to the interplay between two objects with opposite signs of mass that breaks Newton's third law. Their spatial spectrum changes associated with the acceleration are analyzed for different lattice modulations. We find that the acceleration limit is determined by the beam exciting the top band edge that reaches a saturated momentum change prior to the other pairing beam.

Roadmap on nonlinear optics–focus on Chinese research

“…The interaction of the two pulses, subject to inverted dispersion, is in analogy to the interplay between two objects having opposite mass signs (figure 23(a)). Such a diametric drive self-acceleration was also observed in spatial domain [148], offering new ways for beam steering.…”

Dual Role of Beam Polarization and Power in Nematic Liquid Crystals: A Comprehensive Study of TE- and TM-Beam Interactions

“…These nonlinearities have been utilized to control soliton trajectories and positions within NLC cells. A particularly intriguing aspect is the mutual interaction of light beams in NLCs, leading to aligned accelerations, a phenomenon known as “diametric drive” [ 16 , 20 , 21 , 22 ]. This interaction, akin to two massive objects influencing each other in a manner that defies action–reaction symmetry, is an impossibility in classical mechanics but becomes feasible in the realm of NLCs, offering new frontiers in optical control and manipulation [ 23 ].…”

Breaking the Action‐Reaction Principle of Light Interactions Under a Stroboscopic Nonlinearity

“…[12,13] Repulsion and attraction behaviors, [14] as the elementary building blocks for many-body dynamics of these optical entities, commonly obey the action-reaction principle. Although optical action-reaction symmetry has been shown to be broken in previous studies using the concept of runaway or diametric-drive motion [15][16][17][18][19][20] and event horizon, [21,22] aiming for developing new ways for beam steering and pulse manipulation, the "forces" experienced by the involved two fields there are still equal and opposite. In essence, this symmetry breaking is induced by the inverted dispersion/diffraction effects, in analogy to the use of opposite mass signs, [23] rather than by actively breaking the Newton's third law.…”