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Li-Gang Wang

Publications and source records attributed to Li-Gang Wang.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Curved spacetime-induced control of photonic modes via spatially dependent band structure

Conventionally, controlling photonic modes require complex artificial structures made of electromagnetic media such as photonic crystal, metamaterial, and waveguide systems. Here, we report a new mechanism for mode control induced solely by curved spacetime, which give rise to a spatially dependent photonic band structure. In this framework, the photonic mode can naturally undergo conversion in the spatial domain. We select two canonical models from general relativity--the Rindler spacetime and the Einstein-Rosen bridge (ERB)--to demonstrate light propagation effects. In Rindler spacetime, a light beam transitions to a diffusive mode for positive acceleration and to a highly collimated propagating mode for negative acceleration. In the ERB, beam transmission is governed by the Schwarzschild radius, which determines the extend of the spatial bandgap. Furthermore, an intriguing tunneling effect is also illustrated. Finally, we propose several feasible experimental methods to verify our theoretical predictions. Our findings elucidate a distinctive formation mechanism of photonic band structure in curved spacetime, enabling precise spatial control of light and the design of photonic devices within a non-Euclidean geometrical framework.

physics.optics

Optical echoes of light near a black hole

The light deflection under a strong gravitational field, referred to as strong gravitational lensing, provides a powerful probe of spacetime geometry. Besides, laboratory analogue models are employed to study the effects of curved spacetime and explore the design of optical devices. Here, applying the framework of analogue gravity, we reveal the behavior of the optical echo from a pulsed point-like source near a black hole, which is strongly dependent on the interplay of the black hole's photon sphere and the source's duration. We model the Schwarzschild spacetime as a Flamm paraboloid and calculate the echo response, using analytical geodesic solutions and the Huygens-Fresnel principle. Particularly, when the spatial scale of pulse duration is comparable to the photon sphere, continuous ``echo tails" appear along bright interference fringes in temporal response. Analysis in both the temporal and frequency domains reveals that these echo tails are a signature of resonance between the incoming pulse and the photon sphere. This work provides a wave-optics perspective on the interaction between dynamic sources and black holes, offering a table top window on strong gravitational lensing.

gr-qc

Acceleration radiation from vibrating atoms in Schwarzschild spacetime

Motivated by the work of Scully \textit{et al.} [ \textcolor{blue}{Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 115, 8131 (2018)}] and Dolan \textit{et al.}[ \textcolor{blue}{New J. Phys. 22, 033026 (2020)}], we study the acceleration radiation from a two-level Unruh-DeWitt detector that undergoes small-amplitude radial oscillations at fixed mean radius $R_0$ outside a Schwarzschild black hole. The massless scalar field is quantized in the Boulware vacuum to isolate curvature-modulated acceleration effects without a thermal Hawking background. Working in a (1+1) radial reduction and using first-order time-dependent perturbation, we evaluate the period-averaged transition rate (or the Floquet transition rate). The resulting particle emission spectrum exhibits a thermal Bose-Einstein-type profile with periodic trajectory yielding a Floquet resonance condition $n\Omega > \omega_0$ and a closed-form expression for the Floquet transition rate $\overline{P}_n$, which reduces to the flat Minkowski spacetime result as $R_0\to\infty$, in agreement with Near the horizon, $f(R_0)<1$ enhances the effective Bessel argument by $1/\sqrt{f(R_0)}$, providing a simple analytic demonstration of curvature/redshift amplification of acceleration radiation. In particular, the spectrum weighted by the Bessel function becomes ill-defined near the black hole horizon as $R_{0}\rightarrow 2M$, possibly manifesting the well-known pathological behavior of the Boulware vacuum state. We discuss the regime of validity (small amplitude, $R_0$ away from the horizon) and outline the extensions to (3+1) dimensions, including density-of-states and greybody factors, and to alternative vacuum choices. Our results offer an analytically tractable link between flat-space vibrating atom proposals and black-hole spacetimes.

gr-qc

Black hole optical analogue: photon sphere microlasers

The bell-like ringdown of the gravitational field in the last stage of the merging of massive black holes is now routinely detected on earth by the last generation of gravitational wave detectors. Its spectrum is interpreted as a sum of damped sinusoidal vibrations of the spacetime in the vicinity of the black hole. These so-called quasinormal modes are currently the subject of extensive studies, yet, their true nature remains elusive. Here, we emulate, in the laboratory, genuine four-dimension black hole metrics by two-dimensional optical curved surfaces that preserve the features of lightlike geodesics. %We establish the analogy with gravitational waves radiated by relaxing black holes, and We analytically compute the optical quasinormal modes and show that they are confined around the photon sphere, the unstable region around a black hole where spacetime curvature traps light in circular orbits. By 3D-printing non-Euclidean dye-doped microcavities, we demonstrate lasing at the photon sphere with a mode profile that closely matches the analytical prediction. These results paves the way for observing astrophysical phenomena in tabletop setups and is likely to inspire innovative designs in photonics.

physics.optics

Observation of vortex-pair dance and oscillation

Vortex dynamics, which encompass the motion, evolution, and propagation of vortices, elicit both fascination and challenges across various domains such as fluid dynamics, atmospheric science, and physics. This study focuses on fundamental dynamics of vortex-pair fields, specifically known as vortex-pair beams (VPBs) in optics. VPBs have gained increasing attention due to their unique properties, including vortex attraction and repulsion. Here, we explore the dynamics of pure-phase VPBs (PPVPBs) and observe intriguing helical and intertwined behaviors of vortices, resembling a vortex-pair dance. We uncover the oscillation property of the intervortex distance for PPVPBs in free space. The observed dancing and oscillation phenomena are intricately tied to the initial intervortex distance and can be explained well in the hydrodynamic picture. Notably, the vortex dancing and oscillation alter the process of vortex-pair annihilation, extending the survival range for opposite vortices. This discovery enhances our understanding of vortex interactions and sheds light on the intricate dynamics of both vortex-vortex and vortex-antivortex interactions.

physics.optics

Circularly-Symmetric Alternating Optical Vortex Lattices and their Focusing Characteristics

Generating controllable optical vortex (OV) lattices (OVLs) with arbitrary-order topological charge (TC) and superior optical characteristics are highly desirable for various applications. Here, we report an experimental realization of circularly-symmetric OVLs with alternating positive and negative TCs of order +/-n, referred to the $n$th-order circularly-symmetric alternating OVL (CSAOVL). The focusing fields of such CSAOVLs exhibit the very interesting patterns with a period of 4 for different n values, and their intensity and phase distributions can be regulated using the radial and azimuthal parameters. Particularly, the formed central bright spot in the focusing fields of those CSAOVLs with n equaling to a multiple of 4 is observed to be much smaller than a Gaussian spot. The results can promote significantly the exploration of structured OVLs and provide potential applications in particle manipulation, imaging, and the realization of complex interactions between optical lattices and microscope particles such as atoms and micro- or nano-particles.

physics.optics

Spectral Switches of Light in Curved Space

Acting as analog models of curved spacetime, surfaces of revolution employed for exploring novel optical effects are followed with great interest nowadays to enhance our comprehension of the universe. It is of general interest to understand the spectral effect of light propagating through a long distance in the universe. Here, we address the issue on how curved space affects the phenomenon of spectral switches, a spectral sudden change during propagation caused by a finite size of a light source. By using the point spread function of curved space under the paraxial approximation, the expression of the on-axis output spectrum is derived and calculated numerically. A theoretical way to find on-axis spectral switches is also derived, which interprets the effect of spatial curvature of surfaces on spectral switches as a modification of effective Fresnel number. We find that the spectral switches on surfaces with positive Gaussian curvature are closer to the source, compared with the flat surface case, while the effect is opposite on surfaces with negative Gaussian curvature. We also find that the spectral switches farther away from the light source are more sensitive to the change in Gaussian curvature. This work deepens our understanding of the properties of fully and partially coherent lights propagating on two-dimensional curved space.

physics.optics

Enhanced opposite Imbert-Fedorov shifts of vortex beams for precise sensing of temperature and thickness

Imbert-Fedorov (IF) shift, which refers to a tiny transverse splitting induced by spin-orbit interaction at a reflection/refraction interface, is sensitive to the refractive index of a medium and momentum state of incident light. Most of studies have focused on the shift for an incident light beam with a spin angular momentum (SAM) i.e., circular polarization. Compared to SAM, orbital angular momentum (OAM) has infinite dimensions in theory as a new degree of freedom of light and plays an important role in light-matter coupling. We demonstrate experimentally that the relative IF shifts of vortex beams with large opposite OAMs are highly enhanced in resonant structures when light refracts through a double-prism structure (DPS), in which the thickness and temperature of the air gap are precisely sensed via the observed relative IF shifts. The thickness and temperature sensitivities increase as the absolute value of opposite OAMs increases. Our results offer a technological and practical platform for applications in sensing of thickness and temperature, ingredients of environment gas, spatial displacement, chemical substances and deformation structure.

physics.optics

Seeing dark matter via acceleration radiation

Despite constituting a noteworthy $\sim 27\%$ share of the total energy budget of our Universe, dark matter (DM) has thus far eluded direct observations. Owing to its pervasive nature, there is a sincere expectation that astrophysical black holes (BHs) encompassed by DM should leave distinctive imprints on the gravitational waves arising from BH mergers. Theoretical models of DM present a diverse landscape of possibilities, with perfect fluid dark matter (PFDM) emerging as a recent and notably intriguing candidate model. In this work, utilizing the established quantum optical approach, we investigate the possibility of catching DM signatures via acceleration radiation emitted by a freely-falling detector (e.g. an atom) within a PFDM-surrounded Schwarzschild BH. The setup involves a Casimir-type apparatus where the detector interacts with the field, and this situation induces excitations in the detector in a manner consistent with Unruh effect. We observe that our DM candidate, while making classical contributions to spacetime geometry, has the potential to leave quantum imprints in the radiation flux. Notably, it is observed that, in comparison to a pure Schwarzschild BH, PFDM can markedly reduce particle emission as long as its density remains below a critical threshold, and vice versa. Given the lessons we have learnt from realizing cosmological phenomena in simulated laboratory conditions, there is a remote possibility that such study may perhaps provide insights (to whatever degree !) into the future table-top experiments in analogue gravity paradigm.

gr-qc

Diffraction limit of light in curved space

Overcoming diffraction limit is crucial for obtaining high-resolution image and observing fine microstructure. With this conventional difficulty still puzzling us and the prosperous development of wave dynamics of light interacting with gravitational fields in recent years, how spatial curvature affect the diffraction limit is an attractive and important question. Here we investigate the issue of diffraction limit and optical resolution on two-dimensional curved spaces - surfaces of revolution (SORs) with constant or variable spatial curvature. We show that the diffraction limit decreases and resolution is improved on SORs with positive Gaussian curvature, opening a new avenue to super-resolution. The diffraction limit is also influenced by propagation direction, as well as the propagation distance in curved space with variable spatial curvature. These results provide a possible method to control optical resolution in curved space or equivalent waveguides with varying refractive index distribution and may allow one to detect the presence of non-uniform strong gravitational effect by probing locally the optical resolution.

physics.optics

Atom-field dynamics in curved spacetime

Some aspects of atom-field interactions in curved spacetime are reviewed. Of great interest are quantum radiative and entanglement processes arising out of Rindler and black hole spacetimes, which involve the role of Hawking-Unruh and dynamical Casimir effects. Most of the discussion surrounds the radiative part of interactions. For this, we specifically reassess the conventional understandings of atomic radiative transitions and energy level shifts in curved spacetime. We also briefly outline the status quo of entanglement dynamics study in curved spacetime, and highlight literature related to some novel insights, like entanglement harvesting. On one hand, the study of the role played by spacetime curvature in quantum radiative and informational phenomena has implications for fundamental physics, notably the gravity-quantum interface. In particular, one examines the viability of the Equivalence Principle, which is at the heart of Einstein's general theory of relativity. On the other hand, it can be instructive for manipulating quantum information and light propagation in arbitrary geometries. Some issues related to nonthermal effects of acceleration are also discussed.

gr-qc

On the microstructure of higher-dimensional Reissner-Nordstr\"om black holes in quantum regime

Thermodynamic Riemannian geometry provides great insights into the microscopic structure of black holes (BHs). One such example is the Ruppeiner geometry which is the metric space comprising the second derivatives of entropy with respect to other extensive variables of the system. Reissner-Nordstr\"om black holes (RNBHs) are known to be endowed with a flat Ruppeiner geometry for all higher spacetime dimensions. However this holds true if one invokes classical gravity where the semi-classical Bekenstein-Hawking entropy best describes the thermodynamics of the system. If the much deeper quantum gravity and string theories entail modifications to BH entropy, this prompts the question whether the Ruppeiner flatness associated with higher dimensional RNBHs still persists. We investigate this problem by considering non-perturbative (exponential) and perturbative (logarithmic) modifications to BH entropy of a 5D RNBH. We find that while the case is so for larger (classical) geometries, the situation is radically altered for smaller (quantum) geometries. Namely, we show surprising emergence of multiple phase transitions that depend on the choice of extent of corrections to BH entropy and charge. Our consideration involves differentiated extremal and non-extremal geometric scales corresponding to the validity regime of corrections to entropy. More emphasis is laid on the exponential case as the contributions become highly non-trivial on small scales. An essential critical mass scale arises in this case that marks the onset of these phase transitions while the BH diminishes in size via Hawking evaporation. We contend that this critical value of mass perhaps best translates as the epoch of a classical to quantum BH phase transition.

gr-qc

Nonthermal acceleration radiation of atoms near a black hole in presence of dark energy

We investigate how dark energy affects atom-field interaction. To this end, we consider acceleration radiation of a freely falling atom close to a Schwarzschild black hole (BH) in the presence of dark energy characterized by a positive cosmological constant $\Lambda$. The resulting spacetime is endowed with a BH and a cosmological (or de Sitter) horizon. Our consideration is a \textit{nonextremal} $(1+1)$-dimensional geometry with horizons far apart, giving rise to a flat Minkowski-like region in between the two horizons. Assuming a scalar ($\text{spin}-0$) field in a Boulware-like vacuum state, and by using a basic quantum optics approach, we numerically achieve excitation probabilities for the atom to detect a photon as it falls toward the BH horizon. It turns out that the nature of the emitted radiation deeply drives its origin from the magnitude of $\Lambda$. In particular, radiation emission is enhanced due to dilation of the BH horizon by dark energy. Also, we report an oscillatory nonthermal spectrum in the presence of $\Lambda$, and these oscillations, in a varying degree, also depend on BH mass and atomic excitation frequency. We conjecture that such a hoedown may be a natural consequence of a constrained motion due to the bifurcate Killing horizon of the given spacetime. The situation is akin to the Parikh-Wilzcek tunneling approach to Hawking radiation where the presence of extra contributions to the Boltzmann factor deforms the thermality of flux. It apparently hints at field satisfying a modified energy-momentum dispersion relation within classical regime of general relativity arising as an effective low energy consequence of an underlying quantum gravity theory. Our findings may signal new ways of conceiving the subtleties surrounding the physics of dark energy.

gr-qc

Experimental observation and manipulation of optical tornado waves

We report experimental generation and manipulation of optical tornado waves (ToWs). By controlling the self-focusing length, total angular momentum, and foci deviation of ToWs, the propagation properties of optical ToWs, especially their angular velocity of the main intensity lobes, can be manipulated. We achieve controlling the accumulated rotation angle of the intensity lobes from 0 to 1100 degrees. Also, we confirm that ToWs get the highest angular velocity around the foci coincide situation. Our experimental results are in good agreement with numerical results.

physics.optics

Theory of light propagation in arbitrary two-dimensional curved space

As an analog model of general relativity, optics on some two-dimensional (2D) curved surfaces has been increasingly paid attention to in the past decade. Here, in light of Huygens-Fresnel principle, we propose a theoretical frame to study light propagation along arbitrary geodesics on any 2D curved surfaces. This theory not only enables us to solve the enigma of "infinite intensity" existed previously at artificial singularities on surfaces of revolution, but also makes it possible to study light propagation on arbitrary 2D curved surfaces. Based on this theory, we investigate the effects of light propagation on a typical surface of revolution, Flamm's paraboloid, as an example, from which one can understand the behavior of light in the curved geometry of Schwarzschild black holes. Our theory provides a convenient and powerful tool for investigations of radiation in curved space.

physics.optics

Bidirectional optical non-reciprocity in a multi-mode cavity optomechanical system

Optical non-reciprocity, a phenomenon that allows unidirectional flow of optical field is pivoted on the time reversal symmetry breaking. The symmetry breaking happens in the cavity optomechanical system (COS) due to non uniform radiation pressure as a result of light-matter interaction, and is crucial in building non-reciprocal optical devices. In our proposed COS, we study the non-reciprocal transport of optical signals across two ports via three optical modes optomechanically coupled to the mechanical excitations of two nano-mechanical resonators (NMRs) under the influence of strong classical drive fields and weak probe fields. By tuning different system parameters, we discover the conversion of reciprocal to non-reciprocal signal transmission. We reveal perfect nonreciprocal transmission of output fields when the effective cavity detuning parameters are near resonant to the NMRs' frequencies. The unidirectional non-reciprocal signal transport is robust to the optomechanical coupling parameters at resonance conditions. Moreover, the cavities' photon loss rates play an inevitable role in the unidirectional flow of signal across the two ports. Bidirectional transmission can be fully controlled by the phase changes associated with the incoming probe and drive fields via two ports. Our scheme may provide a foundation for the compact non-reciprocal communication and quantum information processing, thus enabling new devices that route photons in unconventional ways such as all-optical diodes, optical transistors and optical switches.

quant-ph

Ray engineering from chaos to order in two-dimensional optical cavities

Chaos, namely exponential sensitivity to initial conditions, is generally considered a nuisance, inasmuch as it prevents long-term predictions in physical systems. Here, we present an easily accessible approach to undo deterministic chaos and tailor ray trajectories in arbitrary two-dimensional optical billiards, by introducing spatially varying refractive index therein. A new refractive index landscape is obtained by a conformal mapping, which makes the trajectories of the chaotic billiard fully predictable and the billiard fully integrable. Moreover, trajectory rectification can be pushed a step further by relating chaotic billiards with non-Euclidean geometries. Two examples are illustrated by projecting billiards built on a sphere as well as the deformed spacetime outside a Schwarzschild black hole, which respectively lead to all periodic orbits and spiraling trajectories in the resulting 2D billiards/cavities. An implementation of our method is proposed, which enables real-time control of chaos and could further contribute to a wealth of potential applications in the domain of optical microcavities.

nlin.CD

Light chaotic dynamics in the transformation from curved to flat surfaces

Light propagation on a two-dimensional curved surface embedded in a three-dimensional space has attracted increasing attention as an analog model of four-dimensional curved spacetime in laboratory. Despite recent developments in modern cosmology on the dynamics and evolution of the universe, investigation of nonlinear dynamics of light in non-Euclidean geometry is still scarce and remains challenging. Here, we study classical and wave chaotic dynamics on a family of surfaces of revolution by considering its equivalent conformally transformed flat billiard, with nonuniform distribution of refractive index. This equivalence is established by showing how these two systems have the same equations and the same dynamics. By exploring the Poincar\'{e} surface of section, the Lyapunov exponent and the statistics of eigenmodes and eigenfrequency spectrum in the transformed inhomogeneous table billiard, we find that the degree of chaos is fully controlled by a single geometric parameter of the curved surface. A simple interpretation of our findings in transformed billiards, the "fictitious force", allows to extend our prediction to other class of curved surfaces. This powerful analogy between two a prior unrelated systems not only brings forward a novel approach to control the degree of chaos, but also provides potentialities for further studies and applications in various fields, such as billiards design, optical fibers, or laser microcavities.

nlin.CD