Temporal Parity-Time Symmetry for Extreme Energy Transformations

Temporal interfaces introduced by abrupt switching of the constitutive parameters of unbounded media enable unusual wave phenomena. So far, their explorations have been mostly limited to lossless media. Yet, non-Hermitian phenomena leveraging material loss and gain, and their balanced combination in parity-time (PT)-symmetric systems, have been opening new vistas in photonics. Here, we unveil the role that temporal interfaces offer in non-Hermitian physics, introducing the dual of PT symmetry for temporal boundaries. Our findings reveal unexplored interference mechanisms enabling extreme energy manipulation, and open new scenarios for time-switched metamaterials, connecting them with the broad opportunities offered by non-Hermitian phenomena.

Automated summary

This study reveals the role of temporal interfaces in non-Hermitian physics, introducing the dual of PT symmetry for temporal boundaries. It unveils unexplored interference mechanisms enabling extreme energy manipulation, and provides new scenarios for time-switched metamaterials, connecting them with the opportunities offered by non-Hermitian phenomena.