Towards few photon bifurcations in coupled nanolasers

9 novembre 2018
9 novembre 2018
Contatti: 
Dipartimento di Fisica, Segreteria
via Sommarive, 14 - 38123 Povo (Trento)
Tel. 
+39 0461 281504 - 1575 - 2042 - 1545
Fax 
+39 0461 281696

Venue: Ferrari 1 Building (Povo) - Room A210
Time: 2.30 pm

Speaker: 

  • Alejandro M. Yacomotti,  Centre de Nanosciences et de Nanotechnologies (C2N), CNRS

Abstract:
Two coupled-cavity systems, or «photonic dimers», are efficient test-beds for few photon optical nonlinearities in the context of nonlinear and quantum optics. In this seminar I will focus on semiconductor active nanocavities, specifically two evanescently coupled photonic crystal nanolasers, which can be engineered to experimentally access interesting nonlinear transitions (bifurcation points).
I will discuss our recent results on two emblematic bifurcations: spatial symmetry breaking (pitchfork) and asymmetric mode switching (Hopf). Importantly, the underlying nanophotonic structure enables a high degree of control, for instance in terms of intercavity coupling parameters. A second important aspect to be discussed is the role of noise in these relatively large spontaneous emission factor (\beta) lasers which ultimately enables nonlinear regimes with few photons. The interplay between determinism and noise at bifurcation points results in a very rich photon statistics which, in the case of mode switching instabilities, leads to strong dips in the cross-correlation of mode fluctuations.
Finally, I will also discuss the impact of short pulse pump (parameter quench) on the photon statistics (far-from-equilibrium superbunching). In sum, these devices open up interesting prospects in the study of few photon bifurcations with potential applications in quantum nanophotonics. 

 

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