Physics is constantly evolving, and synthetic dimensions (SDs) are at the forefront of this evolution. They provide a way to explore higher-dimensional spaces beyond our traditional 3D geometrical space, making them a hot topic in topological photonics. SDs offer a solution to the challenge of creating complex lattice structures in 3D space, allowing for the creation of intricate networks of resonators with unique couplings. This has led to groundbreaking demonstrations of non-Hermitian topological winding and other phenomena, with promising applications in fields such as optical communications and topological insulator lasers.
One of the key goals in this field is to construct a network of resonators where any pair of modes can be coupled in a controlled manner. This requires precise mode manipulation within photonic systems, offering opportunities to enhance data transmission, energy harvesting efficiency, and laser array radiance.
An international team of researchers has recently made a significant advancement in this area by creating customizable arrays of waveguides to establish synthetic modal dimensions. This allows for effective control of light in a photonic system, without the need for complicated extra features like nonlinearity or non-Hermiticity.
2024-03-20 00:00:04
Source from phys.org