arXiv subjects

Cefe Lopez

Publications and source records attributed to Cefe Lopez.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Computing with the complex nonlinear dynamics of an optomechanical oscillator

An optomechanical oscillator undergoes a Hopf bifurcation that connects two dynamical regimes with different information-processing capabilities: thermal Brownian motion and coherent self-sustained oscillation. Below threshold, the oscillator occupies a stable fixed point around which thermal fluctuations drive stochastic Brownian motion - a regime dominated by linear response, with only short-lived memory and negligible usable nonlinearity. Above threshold, radiation pressure, free-carrier dynamics, and thermo-optic relaxation act together to sustain a stable limit cycle that simultaneously provides both nonlinear transformation and dynamical memory. Here we show that this coherent regime can be used as a physical reservoir for computation: by perturbing the phonon-lasing attractor, the cavity performs nonlinear input-output transformations and retains short-term memory without any external feedback mechanism. Using only a single chip-integrated device with 20 virtual nodes, we reconstruct nonlinear functions, predict the evolution of chaotic time series, and perform spoken digit classification on a two-digit sub-task. The mechanical resonance frequency sets the intrinsic dynamical timescale of the reservoir and therefore its processing speed; while the present device operates near 0.4 GHz, optomechanical and nanomechanical systems can be engineered to reach multi-GHz and sub-terahertz frequencies, directly translating into a scalable path toward ultrafast integrated physical computing.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2026

Characterizing the Backscattered Spectrum of Mie Spheres

This study describes both experimentally and theoretically an important hitherto undiscovered feature of the scattering of micron_sized spherical objects when illuminated with highly focused circularly polarized light. This is a regime of high experimental relevance which has not been described in full detail. The experiments are complemented with the analytical formulas explaining the field scattered directed toward the backward hemispace. In particular, it is proven that this field shows a very regular oscillatory dependency with the optical size. This phenomenon is typically hidden in the total scattered field, as the field is scattered much less toward the backward hemisphere than toward the forward one. These regular oscillations are measured experimentally. It is proven that, by analyzing them, it is possible to determine the index of refraction of isolated micron_sized particles, opening new paths for applications in sensing and metrology.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2025

Feedback suppression in 405 nm superluminescent diodes via engineered scattering

Superluminescent diodes are promising devices for applications in which low coherence, high efficiency, small foot-print and good optoelectronic integration are required. Blue emitting superluminescent diodes with good performances and easy fabrication process are sought for next generation solid state lighting devices, micro-projectors and displays. These devices are laser diodes in which the optical feedback is inhibited, and lasing action avoided. Conventional fabrication processes minimize optical feedback by ad-hoc designs, e.g. anti-reflection coating, tilted waveguide or absorber sections, requiring specific fabrication steps. In this work, we propose and demonstrate the introduction of scattering defects in the device waveguide as a method for feedback inhibition. By performing pulsed laser ablation on a commercial 405 nm GaN laser diode we demonstrate a superluminescent diode, featuring a maximum output power of 2 mW and a spectral width of 5.7 nm.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2019

A self-assembled two-dimensional thermo-functional material for radiative cooling

The regulation of temperature at the macro and microscale is a major energy-consuming process of humankind. Modern cooling systems account for 15% of the global energy consumption and are responsible for 10% of greenhouse gas emissions. Due to global warming, a ten-fold growth in the demand of cooling technologies is expected in the next 30 years, thus linking global warming and cooling needs through a worrying negative feedback loop. Here, we propose an inexpensive solution to this global challenge based on a single-layer of silica microspheres self-assembled on a soda-lime glass substrate. This two-dimensional (2D) crystal acts as a visibly translucent thermal blackbody for above-ambient daytime radiative cooling and can be used to passively improve the thermal performance of devices that undergo critical heating during operation. The temperature of a crystalline silicon wafer was found to be 14K lower during daytime when covered with our thermal emitter, reaching an average temperature difference of 19K when the structure was backed with a silver layer. In comparison, the soda-lime glass used as a reference in our measurements lowered the temperature of the silicon wafer by just 5 K. The cooling power density of this rather simple radiative cooler under direct sunlight was found to be up to 350 W/m2 when applied to hot surfaces with relative temperatures of 50 K above the ambient. This is crucial to radiatively cool down electronic devices, such as solar cells, where an increase in temperature has drastic effects on performance. Our 2D thermo-functional material includes a single layer of spheres emitting long-wave radiation through the infrared atmospheric window and over a broad wavelength ange, thus providing effective radiative cooling using the outer space as a heat sink at 3 K.

physics.app-ph↗

arXiv2013

Switching and amplification in disordered lasing resonators

Controlling the flow of energy in a random medium is a research frontier with a wide range of applications. As recently demonstrated, the effect of disorder on the transmission of optical beams, may be partially compensated by wavefront shaping, but losing control over individual light paths. Here we report on a novel physical effect whereby energy is spatially and spectrally transferred inside a disordered active medium by the coupling between individual lasing modes. We show that is possible to transmit an optical resonance to a remote point by employing specific control over optical excitations. The observed nonlinear transport bears some analogies to a field-effect transistor for light, which acts as a switch and as an amplifier.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2013

The mode-locking transition of random lasers

The discovery of the spontaneous mode-locking of lasers, i.e., the synchronous oscillation of electromagnetic modes in a cavity, has been a milestone of photonics allowing the realization of oscillators delivering ultra-short pulses. This process is so far known to occur only in standard ordered lasers with meter size length and only in the presence of a specific device (the saturable absorber). Here we demonstrate that mode-locking can spontaneously arise also in random lasers composed by micronsized laser resonances dwelling in intrinsically disordered, self-assembled clusters of nanometer-sized particles. Moreover by engineering a novel mode-selective pumping mechanism we show that it is possible to continuously drive the system from a configuration in which the various excited electromagnetic modes oscillate in the form of several, weakly interacting, resonances to a collective strongly interacting regime. By realizing the smallest mode-locking device ever fabricated, we open the way to novel generation of miniaturized and all-optically controlled light sources.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2013

Random lasing in structures with multi-scale transport properties

In a random laser (RL), a system possessing in itself both resonator and amplifying medium while lacking of a macroscopic cavity, the feedback is provided by the scattering, which forces light to travel across very long random paths. Here we demonstrate that RL properties may be tuned by the topology of the scattering system retaining unchanged scattering strength and gain efficiency. This is possible in a system based on sparse clusters, possessing two relevant structural lengths: the macroscopic inter cluster separation and the mesoscopic intra-cluster mean free path.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2013

Active subnanometer spectral control of a random laser

We demonstrate an experimental technique that allows to achieve a robust control on the emission spectrum of a micro random laser and to select individual modes with sub-nanometer resolution. The presented approach relies on an optimization protocol of the spatial profile of the pump beam. Here we demonstrate not only the possibility to increase the emission at a wavelength, but also that we can isolate an individual peak suppressing unwanted contributions form other modes.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2012

Tunable degree of localization in random lasers with controlled interaction

We show that the degree of localization for the modes of a random laser (RL) is affected by the inter mode interaction that is controlled by shaping the spot of the pump laser. By experimentally investigating the spatial properties of the lasing emission we infer that strongly localized modes are activated in the low interacting regime while in the strongly interacting one extended modes are found lasing. Thus we demonstrate that the degree o localization may be finely tuned at the micrometer level.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2009

Optical gain in DNA-DCM for lasing in photonic materials

We present a detailed study of the gain length in an active medium obtained by doping of DNA strands with DCM dye molecules. The superior thermal stability of the composite and its low quenching, permits to obtain optical gain coefficient larger than 300 cm^-1. We also show that such an active material is excellent for integration into photonic nano-structures, to achieve, for example, efficient random lasing emission, and fluorescent photonic crystals.

physics.optics↗