Four-dimensional optics using time-varying metamaterials

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Amplified emission and lasing in photonic time crystals

Mark Lyubarov et al.

Summary: Photonic time crystals (PTCs) with periodically modulated dielectric permittivity offer new possibilities for light manipulation. In this study, we theoretically investigate the emission of light from a radiation source inside a PTC and observe exponential amplification of radiation corresponding to the momentum bandgap. The radiation linewidth narrows over time, eventually becoming monochromatic in the middle of the bandgap, which leads to the proposal of a nonresonant tunable PTC laser. Furthermore, we find that the spontaneous decay rate of an atom embedded in a PTC vanishes at the band edge due to the low density of photonic states.

SCIENCE (2022)

Add to Collection

Article Materials Science, Multidisciplinary

Time-varying electromagnetic media: opinion

Victor Pacheco-Pena et al.

Summary: This opinion article provides a brief summary of the background materials and recent developments in the field of temporal and spatiotemporal media, and offers opinions on potential challenges, opportunities, and open research questions for manipulating fields and waves in four dimensions.

OPTICAL MATERIALS EXPRESS (2022)

Add to Collection

Article Physics, Applied

Homogenization Theory of Space-Time Metamaterials

P. A. Huidobro et al.

Summary: The paper introduces a general framework for the homogenization theory of space-time metamaterials, deriving analytical formulas for effective material parameters in the low-frequency limit for traveling-wave modulations. It shows how synthetic motion can lead to giant bianisotropy and how modulation speed and phase can tune the nonreciprocal response. The theory is applied to derive exact formulas for the Fresnel drag in electromagnetic media with traveling-wave modulations, providing insight into differences and similarities between synthetic motion and moving matter.

PHYSICAL REVIEW APPLIED (2021)

Add to Collection

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences