Unlock giant nonreciprocity via multi-valued behavior of non-Hermitian zero-index materials

Abstract

Although Einstein's field equations are time-independent, the multivalued feature of the horizon of a blackhole naturally enables the one-way transmission, leading to the strong arrow of time from the time-independent gravitational interaction. Here we experimentally demonstrate a photonic analogue of this principle and reveal the infinite nonreciprocity of the time-reversal-symmetric Maxwell equations. By designing a non-Hermitian zero-index magneto-optical metawaveguide, we introduce multivalued feature to this metawaveguide's complex eigenspace via an exceptional point with non-zero residue, bringing nonlocal, path-dependent historical memory to the system. Hence, a weak magneto-optical response can direct forward and backward waves to two photonic branches with largely distinct momenta and losses, leading to the optical nonreciprocity far beyond the limitation imposed by the magneto-optical material. We fabricated an a-Si/Ce:YIG metawaveguide, achieving nonreciprocal phase shift of 47.78 rad/mm and nonreciprocal loss of 53.9 dB/mm near 1575 nm, exceeding state-of-the-art nonreciprocal devices by an order of magnitude. Our principle universally applies from microwave to visible frequencies, leading to compact isolators, circulators, and sensors. Our principle can also be extended to nonreciprocal acoustic, elastic, and thermal systems. The proposed new paradigm -- geometry-based strong arrow of time in covariant and reversible physical systems -- has broad implications in many disciplines including string theory, cosmology, and astronomy.