Hierarchical Construction of Higher-Order Exceptional Points

Q. Zhong, J. Kou, S. K. Ozdemir, R. El-Ganainy

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

64 Scopus citations

Abstract

The realization of higher-order exceptional points (HOEPs) can lead to orders of magnitude enhancement in light-matter interactions beyond the current fundamental limits. Unfortunately, implementing HOEPs in the existing schemes is a rather difficult task, due to the complexity and sensitivity to fabrication imperfections. Here we introduce a hierarchical approach for engineering photonic structures having HOEPs that are easier to build and more resilient to experimental uncertainties. We demonstrate our technique by an example that involves parity-time symmetric optical microring resonators with chiral coupling among the internal optical modes of each resonator. Interestingly, we find that the uniform coupling profile is not required to achieve HOEPs in this system - a feature that implies the emergence of HOEPs from disorder and provides resilience against some fabrication errors. Our results are confirmed by using full-wave simulations based on Maxwell's equation in realistic optical material systems.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number203602
JournalPhysical review letters
Volume125
Issue number20
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 12 2020

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Physics and Astronomy

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Hierarchical Construction of Higher-Order Exceptional Points'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this