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Andrea Blanco-Redondo

Publications and source records attributed to Andrea Blanco-Redondo.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2026

Nonlinear Reshaping of Gaussian Water Wave Packets

The propagation of narrowband wave packets is a classical problem with broad relevance across nonlinear wave physics. Within the framework of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation, solitons are known to propagate without changing shape, whereas Gaussian envelopes may undergo substantial reshaping depending on the balance between dispersion and nonlinearity. Here, we combine laboratory experiments with numerical simulations to systematically investigate the evolution of hydrodynamic Gaussian wave packets over a wide range of amplitudes and spectral bandwidths. We show that when the envelope amplitude and width match those of the stationary NLSE soliton solution, the wave packet propagates steadily in the wave flume. More generally, by varying the amplitude of the Gaussian envelope, the wave packet may undergo either dispersive broadening or nonlinear focusing, resembling the dynamics of Satsuma-Yajima breathers. These findings may facilitate the controlled generation and manipulation of localized wave packets in a variety of nonlinear dispersive systems, including optics, plasmas, and Bose-Einstein condensates.

nlin.PS↗
arXiv2026

Diagonalizing an optical coherence matrix via on-chip Stokes tomography

Structured coherence -- partially coherent light spanned by a finite number of modes -- is emerging as a powerful tool in optical communications, computation, cryptography, and spectroscopy. Key to these prospects is the recent development of on-chip processing of structured coherence, in which large meshes of interferometers implement unitary and non-unitary transformations on the Hermitian coherence matrix representing multimode partially coherent light. Two related critical tasks for the applications of structured coherence are the reconstruction of an unknown coherence matrix and its diagonalization. Stokes tomography has been utilized in reconstructing the coherence matrix, whereas variational processing has been employed in its diagonalization. We show here that Stokes tomography can also be exploited in the on-chip diagonalization of an unknown coherence matrix, which we verify for two-mode and four-mode structured coherence in an integrated hexagonal mesh of Mach-Zehnder interferometers. This photonic circuit implements a predetermined sequence of configurations to estimate the generalized Stokes parameters, which -- in a final step -- inform a reconfiguration of the photonic circuit that diagonalizes the coherence matrix. The field is thus left in a coherent-mode representation comprising uncorrelated, orthogonal modes whose weights correspond to the eigenvalues of the original coherence matrix. Moreover, the integrated photonic circuit can be configured to provide the original field alongside its diagonalized counterpart at the circuit output. We verify the diagonalization procedure for coherence matrices of different coherence rank, entropy, and structure. Finally, we dispel the common notion that O(N^2) steps are required for reconstructing an N x N coherence matrix and show that only O(N) steps are needed.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2026

Pitch-controlled reorientational nonlinearity in chiral nematic liquid crystals: a reduced-order model for self-focusing and soliton formation

We present a reduced-order semi-analytical model for reorientational nonlinearity in chiral nematic liquid crystals, showing that the chiral pitch acts as the dominant physical length scale governing the onset of nonlinear self-focusing and soliton formation. Starting from the full Frank-Oseen equation, we derive a closed-form expression for the optically induced molecular rotation that captures the essential saturable response of the medium while reducing computational cost by more than two orders of magnitude compared with standard relaxation-method solvers. Despite its simplicity, the model reproduces the essential features of the numerically obtained nonlinear refractive index, the onset of self-localization, and the transition from discrete to continuous solitons in one and two dimensions. It further predicts the formation of fully localized astigmatic nematicons with only minor shifts in the self-localization threshold due to the neglect of nonlocal effects. The proposed model provides direct physical insight into light-matter interactions with soft matter media and offers a computationally efficient tool for the design and optimization of nonlinear photonic devices.

cond-mat.soft↗
arXiv2026

Machine-learning-enabled characterization of individual ring resonators in integrated photonic lattices

Accurately determining the underlying physical parameters of individual elements in integrated photonics is increasingly difficult as device architectures become more complex. Inferring these parameters directly from spectral measurements of the system as a whole provides a practical alternative to traditional calibration, allowing characterization of photonic systems without relying on detailed device-specific models. Here, we introduce a supervised machine-learning strategy to learn the onsite losses and resonant frequency shifts of each individual ring in an array of coupled ring resonators from measured spectral power distributions of the whole array. The neural network infers these parameters with high accuracy across multiple experimental configurations. Our methodology provides a scalable and non-invasive method for extracting intrinsic parameters in coupled photonic platforms, paving the way for future development of automated calibration and control methods.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2026

Topology and criticality in non-Hermitian multimodal optical resonators through engineered losses

Non-Hermitian topological matter provides a platform for engineering phenomena that go beyond the capabilities of Hermitian systems, enabling the use of losses to engineer topological phenomena. Non-Hermitian models often rely on artificial platforms made of engineered lattices because controlling losses in natural compounds is challenging. Although typical models for non-Hermitian photonic matter are often single mode, photonic systems are often multimodal, producing mixing between different normal modes in each site. In this work, we explore a generalized family of multimodal non-Hermitian lattices, featuring multiple resonant modes. We show that these multimodal models are capable of featuring topological modes and criticality, similar to the artificial single-mode models often considered. We analyze the robustness of these non-Hermitian topological modes to fluctuation of local losses, disorder, and artificial gauge field. We show that these effects can be captured via both a full microscopic model and effective multiorbital models. Specifically, we show that due to their multiorbital nature, the localization properties of non-Hermitian multiorbital models can be controlled by an external gauge field. Our results demonstrate that internal orbital degrees of freedom provide a promising strategy to engineer controllable non-Hermitian topology and criticality.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2026

Pure-Quartic Optical Shock Waves

In this paper, we study the emergence and dynamics of pure-quartic optical dispersive shock waves governed by the nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equation with self-defocusing Kerr nonlinearity and fourth-order dispersion. The corresponding dispersionless hydrodynamic system reveals a distinct mechanism for wave breaking, driven by the nonlinear self-steepening of the hydrodynamic velocity. We illustrate this mechanism through optical dam-break configurations described by Riemann problems and show that, in contrast to the classical quadratic NLS equation, wave breaking occurs prior to wave splitting even in the small amplitude regime. Numerical simulations of the pure-quartic NLS (PQNLS) equation and its hydrodynamic approximation confirm these qualitatively distinct dynamical regimes.

nlin.PS↗
arXiv2026

On-chip measurement of the modal Stokes-Gell-Mann parameters for partially coherent three-mode light

The Stokes parameters are three real parameters that completely characterize partially coherent optical fields spanned by two modes -- whether a pair of polarization or spatial modes -- and their use is thus ubiquitous in optics. Because the Stokes parameters are defined through an expansion of the $2\times2$ coherence matrix in terms of the Pauli matrices, they cannot be applied to optical fields comprising three modes, which are described by a $3\times3$ coherence matrix. Examples of such fields include the polarization of non-paraxial fields (spanned by three orthogonal polarization modes), and fields comprising three spatial or temporal modes. It has long been theorized that the $3\times3$ Gell-Mann matrices -- developed in high-energy particle physics -- can serve as a basis for $3\times3$ optical coherence matrices, with 8~expansion coefficients known as the Stokes-Gell-Mann (SGM) parameters, but the measurement procedure is daunting, and the SGM parameters have not been measured directly to date in optics. Here we present the first measurements of the SGM parameters for partially coherent three-mode light in a photonic integrated platform comprising a hexagonal mesh of Mach-Zehnder interferometers. Measuring the SGM parameters on chip, from which we reconstruct the $3\times3$ coherence matrix facilitates exploring the full space of iso-entropy fields that can be inter-converted into each other unitarily, and those that share the same value of entropy and yet cannot be inter-converted unitarily. These results pave the way to utilizing multimode partially coherent light in applications involving optical communications, sensing, and information processing.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2026

Incoherence-assisted mode excitation in non-Hermitian resonant systems

We introduce and experimentally demonstrate an approach for selective mode excitation in non-Hermitian resonant systems using incoherent light. This method eliminates the need for precise phase control that is often required in coherent excitation schemes. Using this technique on a silicon photonic platform with coupled ring resonators, we successfully excite the topological edge state of a non-Hermitian Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) model. Our work shows that incoherence-assisted excitation is a robust and passive strategy for topological state preparation, which broadens the scope of non-Hermitian topological photonics thereby providing a practical and experimentally viable tool for selective mode excitation.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2026

On-chip control of the coherence matrix of four-mode partially coherent light: rank, entropy, and modal Stokes parameters

Partially coherent light offers salutary capabilities in optical information processing that cannot be matched by coherent light. To date, this `coherence advantage' has been confirmed in proof-of-principle optical communications protocols using bulk optics. Taking full advantage of such opportunities necessitates processing multimode partially coherent light in integrated photonics platforms that alone provide the requisite stability for cascaded operations on a large scale. Here we demonstrate on-chip manipulation of four-mode partially coherent light described by a $4\times4$ Hermitian coherence matrix. Starting with generic maximally incoherent light, we utilize an on-chip hexagonal mesh of Mach-Zehnder interferometers to perform all the unitary and non-unitary tasks that are critical for realizing structured coherence: controlling the coherence rank (the number of non-zero eigenvalues of the coherence matrix); tuning the field entropy; molding the structure of the coherence matrix via $4\times4$ unitary transformations constructed out of sequences of $2\times2$ unitaries acting on pairs of modes; and tomographic reconstruction of the coherence matrix by measuring the modal Stokes parameters associated with Kronecker-Pauli matrices. These results confirm the scalability of utilizing $2\times2$ on-chip building blocks for the synthesis and reconstruction of high-dimensional coherence matrices, and provide a decisive step towards large-scale on-chip manipulation of massively moded partially coherent light for applications in optical information processing.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2026

Programmable on-chip synthesis and reconstruction of partially coherent two-mode optical fields

Partially coherent light is typically studied in the context of freely propagating continuous fields. Recent developments have indicated the existence of a `coherence advantage' in multimode optical communications, where partially coherent light outperforms coherent light. However, exploiting partial coherence in such applications requires manipulating multimode field coherence in programmable on-chip platforms. We present here the first example of on-chip synthesis and characterization of two-mode optical fields in an integrated on-chip hexagonal mesh of Mach-Zehnder interferometers. Starting with incoherent two-mode light, we adjust the degree of coherence on the chip with non-unitary transformations, construct $2\times2$ unitary transformations to synthesize prescribed coherence matrices, and reconstruct the coherence matrices via measurements of the spatial Stokes parameters. These results indicate the possibility of deploying programmable photonics for producing large-dimensional structured partially coherent light for applications in communications, cryptography, sensing, and spectroscopy.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2025

Non-Hermitian topological filters

We introduce a non-Hermitian photonic filter that harnesses dissipation to selectively isolate a desired topological state. In science and engineering, dissipation is often used to filter incoherent waves, producing a pure coherent output. Here, we apply this principle to topological states, creating a linear filter that effectively isolates a specific topological state regardless of the initial input's coherence properties. This approach creates a dissipation-free topological subspace, where the desired states are preserved and their topological protection is enhanced. Our work provides a versatile and simple method for topological state selection, opening the door to new applications in integrated topological photonics.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2025

High-dimensional topological photonic entanglement

The robust generation and manipulation of high-dimensional quantum states lies at the heart of modern quantum computation. The use of topology to resiliently encode and transport quantum information has been widely investigated in condensed matter and has recently penetrated quantum photonics. However, a route to scale up to a large number of entangled topological photonic modes had been missing. Here, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a method to generate high-dimensional topological photonic entanglement. Our platform relies on carefully designed silicon photonic waveguide topological superlattices, which support nonlinear generation of energy-time entangled photon pairs on a superposition of multiple topological modes. Our measurements and theoretical analysis reveal entanglement of up to five topological modes with resilience to nanofabrication imperfections. This study, at the intersection of nonlinear integrated photonics, quantum information, and topology, opens a research avenue toward scalable, fault-tolerant quantum photonic states.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2025

Communicating at a record 14.5 bits per received photon through a photon-starved channel

Exploration of the Universe requires communication with Earth, either on a direct path or through a cascade of proximate celestial bodies. Microwaves have traditionally been used for space communication, but electromagnetic waves of higher frequencies, such as in the optical domain, will enable probing farther in space due to their considerably lower diffraction loss. At a given data rate, the ultimate limit to point-to-point optical communication is determined by the received signal power and the photon information efficiency. The latter measures the number of information bits extracted per photon incident on a detector. As distances across space and, consequently, path loss increases, the system that can achieve the highest photon information efficiency will determine the longest distance at which communication is possible. We report here an experimental demonstration of optical detection at a record photon information efficiency of 14.5 bits per incident photon, or 17.8 bits per detected photon, after 87.5 dB of attenuation. Expressed in terms of energy per bit, this corresponds to 8.84 zeptojoules per bit, or 0.069 photons per bit at 1550 nm. To our knowledge, this is the highest photon information efficiency or lowest energy per bit detection system ever demonstrated at optical frequencies. Such a sensitive detection system holds promise for a wide range of applications.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2025

Terabit-class coherent communications enabled by an integrated photonics erbium doped amplifier

Coherent technologies have revolutionized optical communications, driving the capacity per fiber to multi-terabit per second (Tb/s) in combination with wavelength division multiplexing (WDM). With an ever-increasing deployment density of coherent systems, the demand for highly integrated WDM coherent transceivers has been rising. While tremendous progress has been made on silicon photonics compatible high-speed modulation and photodetection on chip, a solution for monolithically integrable amplifier with high gain and output power remains a challenge. Recently, an erbium doped waveguide amplifier based on ultra-low loss silicon nitride waveguides has demonstrated gain and output power levels potentially suitable for Terabit class coherent communications. Here, we demonstrate a WDM coherent system enabled by this integrated photonic amplification solution. The system uses the waveguide amplifier as a booster amplifier of 16 WDM signals each carrying a net data rate of 1.6 Tb/s, achieving 25.6-Tb/s net capacity over 81-km fiber transmission. Our results highlight a fully integrated solution for highly parallel coherent transceivers including amplification, that has the potential to transform future optical communications.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2024

Observation of non-Hermitian topology from optical loss modulation

Understanding the interplay of non-Hermiticity and topology is crucial given the intrinsic openness of most natural and engineered systems and it has important ramifications in topological lasers and sensors. Intense efforts have been devoted to unveiling how non-Hermiticity may impact the most significant features of topological systems, but only recently it has been theoretically proposed that topological features could originate solely from the system's non-Hermiticity in photonic systems. In this work, we experimentally demonstrate the appearance of non-Hermitian topology exclusively from loss modulation in a photonic system that is topologically trivial in the absence of loss. We do this by implementing a non-Hermitian generalization of an Aubry-Andre-Harper model with purely imaginary potential in a programmable integrated photonics platform, which allows us to investigate different periodic and quasi-periodic configurations of the model. In both cases, we show the emergence of topological edge modes and explore their resilience to different kinds of disorder. Our work highlights loss engineering as a mechanism to generate topological properties.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2024

Non-Hermitian topology and criticality in photonic arrays with engineered losses

Integrated photonic systems provide a flexible platform where artificial lattices can be engineered in a reconfigurable fashion. Here, we show that one-dimensional photonic arrays with engineered losses allow the realization of topological excitations stemming from non-Hermiticity and bulk mode criticality. We show that a generalized modulation of the local photonic losses allows the creation of topological modes both in the presence of periodicity and even in the quasiperiodic regime. We demonstrate that a localization transition of all the bulk photonic modes can be engineered in the presence of a quasiperiodic loss modulation, and we further demonstrate that such a transition can be created in the presence of both resonance frequency modulation and loss modulation. We finally address the robustness of this phenomenology to the presence of next to the nearest neighbor couplings and disorder in the emergence of criticality and topological modes. Our results put forward a strategy to engineer topology and criticality solely from engineered losses in a photonic system, establishing a potential platform to study the impact of nonlinearities in topological and critical photonic matter.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2023

Unveiling the origins of quasi-phase matching spectral imperfections in thin-film lithium niobate frequency doublers

Thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) based frequency doublers have been widely recognized as essential components for both classical and quantum optical communications. Nonetheless, the efficiency of these devices is hindered by imperfections present in the quasi-phase matching (QPM) spectrum. In this study, we present a thorough analysis of the spectral imperfections in TFLN frequency doublers with varying lengths, ranging from 5 mm to 15 mm. Employing a non-destructive diagnostic method based on scattered light imaging, we identify the sources and waveguide sections that contribute to the imperfections in the QPM spectrum. Furthermore, by mapping the TFLN film thickness across the entire waveguiding regions, we successfully reproduce the QPM spectra numerically, thus confirming the prominent influence of film thickness variations on the observed spectral imperfections. This comprehensive investigation provides valuable insights into the identification and mitigation of spectral imperfections in TFLN-based frequency doublers, paving the way toward the realization of nonlinear optical devices with enhanced efficiency and improved spectral fidelity.

physics.optics↗