arXiv subjects

Konstantinos G. Makris

Publications and source records attributed to Konstantinos G. Makris.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Optical Tautochrone and Squeezing Dynamics in Nonuniform Lattices

We present exact analogies between the tautochrone problem of classical mechanics and the squeezed states of quantum optics to optical lattices. Both phenomena emerge in the same physical system, that of waveguide arrays with nonuniform couplings. Extension to two dimensions yields Lissajous-type trajectories and multidirectional tautochrone focusing. Furthermore, we investigate the impact of Kerr nonlinearity and show that it determines the diffraction behavior, namely coherent-state-like or squeezed propagation. These quantum inspired classical lattices highlight the role of the coupling coefficients to beam engineering and light control in complex media.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2026

Symmetry restoration through chaotic hysteresis in a non-Hermitian optical trimer

We investigate symmetry restoration and spatially localized dynamics in a non-Hermitian optical trimer composed of three lossy waveguides with complex-valued couplings. Extending our previous analysis of the system's global bifurcation structure, we adopt a site-resolved perspective in order to uncover how collective nonlinear dynamics emerge and reorganize across the individual waveguides. We show that the transition from asymmetric to symmetric states is mediated by a chaotic hysteretic regime involving the coexistence of asymmetric, periodic-symmetric, and chaotic-symmetric attractors. Within this regime, chaotic dynamics become spatially localized predominantly at the edge waveguides, while the central waveguide retains partial spectral coherence. Following symmetry restoration, the system develops multifrequency dynamics through a spatial period-doubling process, where the middle waveguide oscillates at twice the dominant frequency of the edge sites. These results reveal how Kerr nonlinearity and complex coupling organize symmetry restoration, chaos localization, and frequency differentiation in minimal non-Hermitian photonic lattices.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2026

Phase Transitions and Topological Protection in Anyonic-PT-Symmetric Lattices

Parity-time (PT) symmetry and anti-PT symmetry have attracted extensive interest for their non-Hermitian spectral properties, particularly the emergence of purely real and imaginary eigenvalues in their symmetry-unbroken regime, respectively. Recently, these two scenarios have been unified under a more general framework known as anyonic-PT symmetry, yet its physical implications in waveguide platforms and corresponding topological features in extended lattice systems remain largely unexplored. Here, the phase transitions and topological protection in anyonic-PT-symmetric systems are systematically investigated in waveguide lattices. In the symmetry-unbroken regime, the arguments of all bulk eigenvalues are constrained to two discrete values separated by π, leading to distinctive oscillatory propagation dynamics accompanied by controlled amplification or dissipation. In the case of one-dimensional lattice, the energy bands exhibit a gap closing and reopening during phase transition. Moreover, in the symmetry-unbroken regime, the topological edge states emerge within the bulk gap and are protected by a generalized pseudo-anyonic-Hermiticity (PAH) symmetry. Our results establish anyonic-PT symmetry as a new tunable degree of freedom for non-Hermitian waveguide systems, where the eigenvalue argument provides a natural quantity for information encoding. This work broadens the conceptual foundation of topological protection under generalized non-Hermitian symmetries.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2025

Defect-driven incoherent skin localization

The process of dephasing during wave evolution has traditionally been viewed as an obstacle to localization, leading to diffusion even in strongly disordered Hermitian lattices. In contrast, here we demonstrate how the interplay of dephasing with non-Hermitian defects can be harnessed to engineer wave localization. Specifically, we identify a novel dynamical localization phenomenon characterized by wavefunction accumulation at the lattice's boundary due solely to dephasing, despite globally reciprocal couplings. Furthermore, we study the incoherent skin effect arising from coupling asymmetry, and investigate the interplay between these antagonistic localization mechanisms. By reframing dephasing from a hindrance into a tool, this study overturns established paradigms of wave localization and paves the way for novel approaches to controlling localization phenomena in non-Hermitian physics.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗

arXiv2025

Self-trapping and skin solitons in two-dimensional non-Hermitian lattices

Two-dimensional non-Hermitian photonic lattices with asymmetric couplings offer rich possibilities for controlling wave localization, through the emergence of the non-Hermitian skin effect at lattice corners or sides. Incorporating optical nonlinearity fundamentally alters these boundary-localization characteristics. Here we show that in a two-dimensional Hatano-Nelson lattice with Kerr nonlinearity, the interplay between self-trapping and directional propagation leads to position dependent amplitude thresholds. Single-site excitations having above a critical amplitude become confined to their initial position, with lower thresholds near the position where the linear eigenmodes are localized and higher thresholds within the lattice's bulk. Additionally, we study the differences of this dynamical interplay, for wider initial excitations, between the focusing and defocusing Kerr-nonlinearity regimes. Lastly, we identify skin soliton solutions in a variety of two-dimensional lattice geometries featuring coupling asymmetry.

nlin.PS↗

arXiv2025

Spiraling light: Generating optical tornados

We experimentally generate optical tornado waves using spatial multiplexing on a single-phase modulation device. In their focal region, the intensity pattern outlines a spiral of decreasing radius and pitch. We examine the propagation dynamics of such novel waves and reveal the key factors that lead to angular acceleration. Moreover, we propose a two-color scheme that makes it possible to generate dynamically twisting light, an optical analog of a drill, that can rotate at THz frequencies.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2025

Scaling of pseudospectra in exponentially sensitive lattices

One of the important features of non-Hermitian Hamiltonians is the existence of a unique type of singularities, the so-called exceptional points (EPs). When the corresponding systems operate around such singularities, they exhibit ultrasensitive behavior that has no analog in conservative systems. An alternative way to realize such ultra-sensitivity relies on asymmetric couplings. Here we provide a comprehensive analysis based on pseudospectra, that shows the origin of exponential sensitivity, without relying on topological zero modes or the localization of all eigenstates (skin effect), but on the underlying extreme lattice non-normality. In particular, we consider four different types of lattices (Hatano-Nelson, Sylvester-Kac, non-Hermitian Su-Schrieffer-Heeger and a non-Hermitian random lattice) and identify the conditions for exponential sensitivity as a function of the lattice size. Complex and structured pseudospectra reveal the signatures of exponential sensitivity both on the eigenvalue spectra and on the underlying dynamics. Our study, may open new directions on studies related to the exploitation of non-normality for constructing ultra-sensitive systems that do not rely on the existence of EPs.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2025

Engineering Non-Hermitian Quantum Evolution Using a Hermitian Bath Environment

Engineering quantum bath networks through non-Hermitian subsystem Hamiltonians has recently emerged as a promising strategy for qubit cooling, state stabilization, and fault-tolerant quantum computation. However, scaling these systems while maintaining precise control over their complex interconnections, especially in the optical domain, poses significant challenges in both theoretical modeling and physical implementation. In this work, drawing on principles from quantum and mathematical physics, we introduce a systematic framework for constructing non-Hermitian subsystems within entirely Hermitian photonic platforms. In particular, controlled exponential decay without actual absorption loss is realized in finite 1-D waveguide chains through discrete-to-continuum coupling and Lanczos transformations. Using this new methodology, we implement parity-time symmetric quantum systems and experimentally demonstrate that these artificial bath environments accurately replicate the dynamics of non-Hermitian arrangements in both single- and multi-photon excitation regimes. Since the non-Hermitian subsystem response deterministically arises from an artificially built Hermitian bath, the quantum evolution can be monitored via post-selection in this fully conservative configuration. This approach bridges the gap between theoretical models and experimental realizations, thus paving the way for exploiting quantum bath engineering in advanced information processing and emerging quantum technologies.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2025

Dephasing-induced jumps in non-Hermitian disordered lattices

Changes in the wavefunction's phase during propagation in a random Hermitian lattice, a process known as dephasing, results in diffusion rather than Anderson localization. However, when non-Hermiticity is introduced, the wave behavior changes drastically. In particular, we demonstrate that in weakly disordered non-Hermitian lattices, dephasing enhances eigenmode localization which results in abrupt jumps between spatially distant regions. These jumps, which are absent under purely coherent conditions, emerge from the interplay between complex disorder and dephasing.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗

arXiv2025

Tensorial symmetries and optical lattice thermalization

This paper presents a comprehensive and systematic study of the possible connection between thermalization of cubic nonlinear lattices with nearest-neighbor coupling and the structure of the mixing tensor that arises due to the presence of nonlinearities. The approach is based on rewriting the underlying lattice system as a nonlinear evolution equation governing the dynamics of the modal amplitudes (or projection coefficients). In this formulation, the linear coupling become diagonalizable, whereas all cubic nonlinear terms transform into a combinatorial sum over a product of three modal amplitudes weighted by a fourth-order mixing tensor. We have identified the exact structure of several mixing tensors (corresponding to different types of cubic nonlinearities) and tied their symmetry properties (quasi-Hermiticity and permutation symmetries associated with two lattice conservation laws) with thermalization or lack thereof. Furthermore, we have observed through direct numerical simulations that the modal occupancies of lattices preserving these tensorial symmetries approach a Rayleigh-Jeans distribution at thermal equilibrium. In addition, we provided few examples that indicate that cubic lattices with broken tensorial symmetries end up not to equilibrate to a Rayleigh-Jeans distribution. Finally, an inverse approach to the study of thermalization of cubic nonlinear lattices is developed. It establishes a duality property between lattices in local and modal bases. The idea is to establish a trade-off between the type of nonlinearities in local base and their respective interactions in supermode base. With this at hand, we were able to identify a large class of nonlinear lattices that are embedded in the modal space and admit a simple form that can be used to shed more light on the role that localization (or delocalization) of the supermodes play in thermalization processes.

nlin.PS↗

arXiv2024

Diffraction and pseudospectra in non-Hermitian quasiperiodic lattices

Wave dynamics in disordered open media is an intriguing topic, and has lately attracted a lot of attention in non-Hermitian physics, especially in photonics. In fact, spatial distributions of gain and loss elements are physically possible in the context of integrated photonic waveguide arrays. In particular, in these type of lattices, counter-intuitive quantized jumps along the propagation direction appear in the strong disorder limit (where all eigenstates are localized) and they have also been recently experimentally observed. We systematically study the non-Hermitian quasiperiodic Aubry-André-Harper model with on-site gain and loss distribution (NHAAH), with an emphasis on the spectral sensitivity based on pseudospectra analysis. Moreover, diffraction dynamics and the quantized jumps, as well as, the effect of saturable nonlinearity, are investigated in detail. Our study reveals the intricate relation between the nonlinearity and non-Hermiticity.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2024

Nonlinear dynamics and chaos in dissipative optical trimers with complex couplings

In the context of non-Hermitian photonics, we consider a nonlinear optical trimer with three lossy waveguides with complex couplings. This non-Hermitian trimer exhibits stable stationary and oscillatory regimes in a wide range of values of the coupling-loss parameters. Moreover, chaotic dynamics through period-doubling is confirmed via Lyapunov exponent measurements and the underlying bifurcation structure is found by semi-analytical continuation of solutions. The interplay of chaos, due to Kerr nonlinearity, and non-Hermiticity, due to the combined dissipation and complex coupling, provides a different perspective in the area of nonlinear and non-Hermitian optics.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2023

Thermalization of the Ablowitz-Ladik lattice in the presence of non-integrable perturbations

We investigate the statistical mechanics of the photonic Ablowitz-Ladik lattice, the integrable version of the discrete nonlinear Schrödinger equation. In this regard, we demonstrate that in the presence of perturbations the complex response of this system can be accurately captured within the framework of optical thermodynamics. Along these lines, we shed light on the true relevance of chaos in the thermalization of the Ablowitz-Ladik system. Our results indicate that when linear and nonlinear perturbations are incorporated, this weakly nonlinear lattice will thermalize into a proper Rayleigh-Jeans distribution with a well-defined temperature and chemical potential. This result illustrates that in the supermode basis, a non-local and non-Hermitian nonlinearity can in fact properly thermalize this periodic array in the presence of two quasi-conserved quantities

physics.optics↗

arXiv2022

Transforming space with non-Hermitian dielectrics

Coordinate transformations are a versatile tool to mould the flow of light, enabling a host of astonishing phenomena such as optical cloaking with metamaterials. Moving away from the usual restriction that links isotropic materials with conformal transformations, we show how non-conformal distortions of optical space are intimately connected to the complex refractive index distribution of an isotropic non-Hermitian medium. Remarkably, this insight can be used to circumvent the material requirement of working with refractive indices below unity, which limits the applications of transformation optics. We apply our approach to design a broadband unidirectional dielectric cloak, which relies on non-conformal coordinate transformations to tailor the nonHermitian refractive index profile around a cloaked object. Our insights bridge the fields of two-dimensional transformation optics and non-Hermitian photonics.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2021

Thermalization of light's orbital angular momentum in nonlinear multimode waveguide systems

We show that the orbital angular momentum (OAM) of a light field can be thermalized in a nonlinear cylindrical multimode optical waveguide. We find, that upon thermal equilibrium, the maximization of the optical entropy leads to a generalized Rayleigh-Jeans distribution that governs the power modal occupancies with respect to the discrete OAM charge numbers. This distribution is characterized by a temperature that is by nature different from that associated with the longitudinal electromagnetic momentum flow of the optical field. Counterintuitively and in contrast to previous results, we demonstrate that even under positive temperatures, the ground state of the fiber is not always the most populated in terms of power. Instead, because of OAM, the thermalization processes may favor higher order modes. A new equation of state is derived along with an extended Euler equation -- resulting from the extensivity of the entropy itself. By monitoring the nonlinear interaction between two multimoded optical wavefronts with opposite spins, we show that the exchange of angular momentum is dictated by the difference in OAM temperatures, in full accord with the second law of thermodynamics. The theoretical analysis presented here is corroborated by numerical simulations that take into account the complex nonlinear dynamics of hundreds of modes. Our results may pave the way towards high power optical sources with controllable orbital angular momenta, and at a more fundamental level, could shed light on the physics of other complex multimoded nonlinear bosonic systems that display additional conservation laws.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2021

Tornado waves

We show that light spiraling like a tornado can be generated by superimposing abruptly auto-focusing ring-Airy beams that carry orbital angular momentum of opposite handedness. With different parabolic propagation trajectories, the superimposing ring-Airy beams are tailored to abruptly auto-focus at overlapping focal regions. This results to a complex wave with intense lobes that twist and shrink in an accelerating fashion along propagation. By achieving angular acceleration values that exceed 295 rad\mm^2, these Tornado waves can find numerous applications in laser trapping, direct laser writing and high harmonic generation.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2020

Nonlinear control of PT-symmetry and non-Hermitian topological states

Advances in topological photonics and non-Hermitian optics have drastically changed our perception on how interdisciplinary concepts may empower unprecedented applications. Bridging the two areas could uncover the reciprocity between topology and non-Hermiticity in complex systems. So far, such endeavors have focused mainly on linear-optics regime. Here, we establish a nonlinear non-Hermitian topological platform for control of parity-time (PT) symmetry and topological edge states. Experimentally, we demonstrate that optical nonlinearity effectively modulates the gain and loss of a topological interface waveguide in a non-Hermitian Su-Schrieffer-Heeger lattice, leading to switching between PT and non-PT-symmetric regimes accompanied by destruction and restoration of topological zero modes. Theoretically, we examine the fundamental issue of the interplay between two antagonistic effects: the sensitivity close to exceptional points and the robustness of non-Hermitian topological modes. Realizing single-channel control of global PT-symmetry via local nonlinearity may herald new possibilities for light manipulation and unconventional device applications.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2018

Scattering-free pulse propagation through invisible non-Hermitian disorder

We demonstrate a new design principle for unidirectionally invisible non-Hermitian structures that are not only invisible for one specific wavelength but rather for a broad frequency range. Our idea is based on the concept of constant-intensity waves, which can propagate even through highly disordered media without back-scattering or intensity variations. Contrary to already existing invisibility studies, our new design principle requires neither a specific symmetry (like $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetry) nor periodicity, and can thus be applied in a much wider context. This generality combined with broadband frequency stability allows a pulse to propagate through a disordered medium as if the medium was entirely uniform.

physics.optics↗