arXiv subjects

Alon Bahabad

Publications and source records attributed to Alon Bahabad.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Macroscopic Spin-Orbit Interaction through Strong-Field Pumping of Inhomogeneously Aligned Molecular Ensemble

We study the strong-field interaction of a helical bi-chromatic pump with an anisotropic and inhomogeneous molecular system in the form of planar distribution of radially aligned molecular ensemble. This setting gives rise to macroscopic spin-orbit interaction where High Harmonic radiation is emitted while imbued with Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) whose sign is directly dictated by the helicity of the pump field. We demonstrate this phenomenon in ensembles of $H_2^+$ and $N_2$ molecules with Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TDDFT) simulations.

physics.chem-ph↗

arXiv2024

Phase matching of high harmonic generation in the soft and hard X-ray regions of the spectrum

We show how bright, fully coherent, hard x-ray beams can be generated through nonlinear upconversion of femtosecond laser light. By using longer-wavelength mid-infrared driving lasers of moderate peak intensity, full phase matching of the high harmonic generation process can extend, in theory, into the hard x-ray region of the spectrum. We identify the dominant phase matching mechanism for long wavelength driving lasers, and verify our predictions experimentally by demonstrating phase-matched up-conversion into the soft x-ray region of the spectrum around 330 eV using an extended, high-pressure, gas medium that is weakly ionized by the laser. Scaling of the overall conversion efficiency is surprisingly favorable as the wavelength of the driving laser is increased, making useful, fully coherent, multi-keV x-ray sources feasible. Finally, we show that the rapidly decreasing microscopic single-atom yield at longer driving wavelengths is compensated macroscopically by an increasing optimal pressure for phase matching and a rapidly decreasing reabsorption of the generated light at higher photon energies.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2022

A simple algorithm for the design of accelerating Bessel beams with adjustable features along their propagation

We present an extremely simple method for designing self-accelerating non-diffracting beams having arbitrary trajectories while their intensity, width and orbital angular momentum are modulated in a prescribed way along their propagation. Different beams constructed with this method are demonstrated experimentally in the paraxial regime and numerically in the non-paraxial regime.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2021

Multi-scale dynamical symmetries and selection rules in nonlinear optics

Symmetries and their associated selection rules are extremely useful in all fields of science. In particular, for system that include electromagnetic (EM) fields interacting with matter, it has been shown that both of symmetries of matter and EM field's time-dependent polarization play a crucial role in determining the properties of linear and nonlinear responses. The relationship between the system's symmetry and the properties of its excitations facilitate precise control over light emission and enable ultrafast symmetry-breaking spectroscopy of variety of properties. Here. we formulate the first general theory that describes the macroscopic dynamical symmetries (including quasicrystal-like symmetries) of an EM vector field, revealing many new symmetries and selection rules in light-matter interactions. We demonstrate an example of multi-scale selection rules experimentally in the framework of high harmonic generation (HHG). This work waves the way for novel spectroscopic techniques in multi-scale system as well as for imprinting complex structures in EUV-X-ray beams, attosecond pulses, or the interacting medium itself.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2020

Anomalous phase matching through inter sub-cycle interference

Providing efficient nonlinear optical frequency conversion is essential for numerous applications. Fundamentally, dispersion limits the efficiency of such processes through mismatch of the phase velocities and the group velocities of the involved optical waves. We reveal a dispersion condition at which, surprisingly, phase and group velocity mismatch act together to provide efficient optical frequency conversion. We demonstrate this condition numerically for the process of high-harmonic-generation. This finding could be valuable to the theory and practice of nonlinear optical frequency conversion in general.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2019

Beam Profiler Network (BPNet) -- A Deep Learning Approach to Mode Demultiplexing of Laguerre-Gaussian Optical Beams

The transverse field profile of light is being recognized as a resource for classical and quantum communications for which reliable methods of sorting or demultiplexing spatial optical modes are required. Here, we demonstrate, experimentally, state-of-the-art mode demultiplexing of Laguerre-Gaussian beams according to both their orbital angular momentum and radial topological numbers using a flow of two concatenated deep neural networks. The first network serves as a transfer function from experimentally-generated to ideal numerically-generated data, while using a unique "Histogram Weighted Loss" function that solves the problem of images with limited significant information. The second network acts as a spatial-modes classifier. Our method uses only the intensity profile of modes or their superposition, making the phase information redundant.

eess.IV↗

arXiv2018

Observation of Optical Backflow

Backflow is a counter-intuitive phenomenon in which a forward propagating quantum particle propagates locally backwards. The actual counter-propagation property associated with this delicate interference phenomenon has not been observed to date in any field of physics. Here, we report the observation of transverse optical backflow where a beam of light propagating to a specific transverse direction is measured locally to propagate in the opposite direction. This observation is relevant to any physical system supporting coherent waves and might lead to unique applications.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2018

Superoscillatory PT-symmetric potentials

We introduce the one-dimensional PT-symmetric Schrodinger equation, with complex potentials in the form of the canonical superoscillatory and suboscillatory functions known in quantum mechanics and optics. While the suboscillatory-like potential always generates an entirely real eigenvalue spectrum, its counterpart based on the superoscillatory wave function gives rise to an intricate pattern of PT-symmetry-breaking transitions, controlled by the parameters of the superoscillatory function. One scenario of the transitions proceeds smoothly via a set of threshold values, while another one exhibits a sudden jump to the broken PT symmetry. Another noteworthy finding is the possibility of restoration of the PT symmetry, following its original loss, in the course of the variation of the parameters.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2018

Particle trapping and conveying using an optical Archimedes' screw

Trapping and manipulation of particles using laser beams has become an important tool in diverse fields of research. In recent years, particular interest is given to the problem of conveying optically trapped particles over extended distances either down or upstream the direction of the photons momentum flow. Here, we propose and demonstrate experimentally an optical analogue of the famous Archimedes' screw where the rotation of a helical-intensity beam is transferred to the axial motion of optically-trapped micro-meter scale airborne carbon based particles. With this optical screw, particles were easily conveyed with controlled velocity and direction, upstream or downstream the optical flow, over a distance of half a centimeter. Our results offer a very simple optical conveyor that could be adapted to a wide range of optical trapping scenarios.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2017

Super defocusing of light by optical sub-oscillations

We show that it is possible to construct spectrally lower bound limited functions which can oscillate locally at an arbitrarily low frequency. Such sub-oscillatory functions are complementary to super-oscillatory functions which are band-limited yet can oscillate locally at an arbitrarily high frequency. We construct a spatially sub-oscillatory optical beam to experimentally demonstrate optical super defocusing.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2017

On the fly control of high harmonic generation using a structured pump beam

High harmonic generation (HHG) is an extreme nonlinear frequency up-conversion process during which extremely short duration optical pulses at very short wavelengths are emitted. A major concern of HHG is the small conversion efficiency at the single emitter level. Thus ensuring that the emission at different locations are emitted in phase is crucial. At high pump intensities it is impossible to phase match the radiation without reverting to ordered modulations of either the medium or the pump field itself, a technique known as Quasi-Phase-Matching (QPM). To date, demonstrated QPM techniques of HHG were usually complicated and/or lacked tunability. Here we demonstrate experimentally a relatively simple, highly and easily tunable QPM technique by using a structured pump beam made of the interference of different spatial optical modes. With this technique we demonstrate on-the-fly, tunable quasi-phase-matching of harmonic orders 25 to 39 with up to 30 fold enhancement of the emission.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2016

Envelope time reversal of optical pulses following frequency conversion with accelerating quasi-phase-matching

It is shown theoretically that the use of accelerating spatiotemporal quasi-phase-matching (QPM) modulation patterns in media with parametric optical interactions makes it possible to generate a time-reversed replica of the pump pulse envelope in a frequency converted signal. The conversion is dependent on the group-velocity mismatch between the fundamental and up-converted harmonics, and controlled by the acceleration rate (chirp) of the QPM phase pattern. Analytical results are corroborated by numerical simulations.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2016

Breaking the temporal resolution limit by superoscillating optical beats

Band-limited functions can oscillate locally at an arbitrarily fast rate through an interference phenomenon known as superoscillations. Using an optical pulse with a superoscillatory envelope we experimentally break the temporal Fourier-transform limit having a temporal feature which is approximately three times shorter than the duration of a transform-limited Gaussian pulse having a comparable bandwidth while maintaining $29.5\%$ visibility. Numerical simulations demonstrate the ability of such signals to achieve temporal super-resolution.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2015

CP symmetry in optical systems

We introduce a model of a dual-core optical waveguide with opposite signs of the group-velocity-dispersion (GVD) in the two cores, and a phase-velocity mismatch between them. The coupler is embedded into an active host medium, which provides for the linear coupling of a gain-loss type between the two cores. The same system can be derived, without phenomenological assumptions, by considering the three-wave propagation in a medium with the quadratic nonlinearity, provided that the depletion of the second-harmonic pump is negligible. This linear system offers an optical realization of the charge-parity ($\mathcal{CP}$) symmetry, while the addition of the intra-core cubic nonlinearity breaks the symmetry. By means of direct simulations and analytical approximations, it is demonstrated that the linear system generates expanding Gaussian states, while the nonlinear one gives rise to broad oscillating solitons, as well as a general family of stable stationary gap solitons.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2014

Spatiotemporal coupled-mode theory in dispersive media under a dynamic modulation

A simple and general formalism for mode coupling by a spatial, temporal or spatiotemporal perturbation in dispersive materials is developed. This formalism can be used for studying various linear and non-linear optical interactions involving a dynamic modulation of the interaction parameters such as non-reciprocal phenomena, time reversal of signals and spatiotemporal quasi phase matching

physics.optics↗

arXiv2014

Breathing solitary-pulse pairs in a linearly coupled system

It is shown that pairs of solitary pulses (SPs) in a linearly-coupled system with opposite group-velocity dispersions form robust breathing bound states. The system can be realized by temporal-modulation coupling of SPs with different carrier frequencies propagating in the same medium, or by coupling of SPs in a dual-core waveguide. Broad SP pairs are produced in a virtually exact form by means of the variational approximation. Strong nonlinearity tends to destroy the periodic evolution of the SP pairs.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2009

Quasiphasematched concurrent nonlinearities in periodically poled KTiOPO_4 for quantum computing over the optical frequency comb

We report the successful design and experimental implementation of three coincident nonlinear interactions, namely ZZZ ("type-0"), ZYY (type-I), and YYZ/YZY (type-II) second harmonic generation of 780 nm light from a 1560 nm pump beam in a single, multigrating, periodically poled KTiOPO_4 crystal. The resulting nonlinear medium is the key component for making a scalable quantum computer over the optical frequency comb of a single optical parametric oscillator.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2008

Nonlinear Photonic Quasicrystals for Novel Optical Devices

Two well-known methods for the design of quasicrystal models are used to create novel nonlinear optical devices. These devices are useful for efficient three-wave mixing of several different processes, and therefore offer greater flexibility with respect to the more common periodic nonlinear photonic crystals. We demonstrate applications for polarization switching as well as multi-wavelength and multi-directional frequency doubling. The generalized dual grid method is proven to be efficient for designing photonic quasicrystals for one-dimensional collinear devices as well as elaborate two-dimensional multi-directional devices. The cut and project method is physically realized by sending finite-width optical beams at an irrational angle through a periodic two-dimensional nonlinear photonic crystal. This enables two simultaneous collinear optical processes that can be varied by changing the angle of the beams.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗