arXiv subjects

M. Mechler

Publications and source records attributed to M. Mechler.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2015

Double self-Kerr scheme for optical Schr\"odinger-cat state preparation

We propose a scheme to prepare optical Schr\"odinger-cat states in a traveling wave setting. Two states are similarly prepared via the self-Kerr effect and after mixing them, one mode is measured by homodyne detection. In the other mode a superposition of coherent states is conditionally prepared. The advantage of the scheme is that assuming a small Kerr effect one can prepare with high probability one from a set of Schr\"odinger-cat states. The measured value of the quadrature provides the information, which state from the set is actually prepared.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2014

Construction of quantum states by special superpositions of coherent states

We consider the optimal approximation of certain quantum states of a harmonic oscillator with the superposition of a finite number of coherent states in phase space placed either on an ellipse or on a certain lattice. These scenarios are currently experimentally feasible. The parameters of the ellipse and the lattice and the coefficients of the constituent coherent states are optimized numerically, via a genetic algorithm, in order to obtain the best approximation. It is found that for certain quantum states the obtained approximation is better than the ones known from the literature thus far.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2009

Resonance enhancement effects in Raman-enhancing pyramid-like V-shape groove microstructures

Microscopic pyramidal pits in a reflective surface, a geometry similar to a retroreflector, are frequently used to enhance signal strength. The enhancement effect is generally attributed to surface plasmons, however, the sub-wavelength to near-wavelength dimensions of the pyramidal 3D geometry suggest contributions from diffraction and near-field effects. Our theoretical analysis of the light intensity distribution in the similar (but simpler) 2D geometry assuming a perfect conductor screen, that is, in the absence of any plasmon effects, shows that interference patterns forming within the cavity cause a significant resonant increase in local intensity. Such effect can be important for many applications, especially for the widely used Raman spectroscopy. Resonant enhancement without plasmons of the emitted Raman signal due to enhanced local field amplitude is also possible, which implies that the geometry practically implements a Raman laser. Comparison of diffraction patterns obtained with near-field and far-field approaches reveals that the near-field component is responsible for the observed dramatic intensity enhancement, and thus the Raman enhancement as well.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2006

Enhanced Transmission and Reflection of Femtosecond Pulses by a Single Slit

We show that a physical mechanism responsible for the enhanced transmission and reflection of femtosecond pulses by a single subwavelength nanoslit in a thick metallic film is the Fabry-Perot-like resonant excitation of stationary, quasistationary and nonstationary waves inside the slit, which leads to the field enhancement inside and around the slit. The mechanism is universal for any pulse-scatter system, which supports the stationary resonances. We point out that there is a pulse duration limit below which the slit does not support the intraslit resonance.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2006

Analytical model of the enhanced light transmission through subwavelength metal slits: Green's function formalism versus Rayleigh's expansion

We present an analytical model of the resonantly enhanced transmission of light through a subwavelength nm-size slit in a thick metal film. The simple formulae for the transmitted electromagnetic fields and the transmission coefficient are derived by using the narrow-slit approximation and the Green's function formalism for the solution of Maxwell's equations. The resonance wavelengths are in agreement with the semi-analytical model [Y. Takakura, Phys. Rev. Lett. 86, 5601 (2001)], which solves the wave equations by using the Rayleigh field expansion. Our formulae, however, show great resonant enhancement of a transmitted wave, while the Rayleigh expansion model predicts attenuation. The difference is attributed to the near-field subwavelength diffraction, which is not considered by the Rayleigh-like expansion models.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2005

Resonant backward scattering of light by a two-side-open subwavelength metallic slit

The backward scattering of TM-polarized light by a two-side-open subwavelength slit in a metal film is analyzed. We show that the reflection coefficient versus wavelength possesses a Fabry-Perot-like dependence that is similar to the anomalous behavior of transmission reported in the study [Y. Takakura, Phys. Rev. Lett. \textbf{86}, 5601 (2001)]. The open slit totally reflects the light at the near-to-resonance wavelengths. In addition, we show that the interference of incident and resonantly backward-scattered light produces in the near-field diffraction zone a spatially localized wave whose intensity is 10-10$^3$ times greater than the incident wave, but one order of magnitude smaller than the intra-cavity intensity. The amplitude and phase of the resonant wave at the slit entrance and exit are different from that of a Fabry-Perot cavity.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2004

Enhanced transmission versus localization of a light pulse by a subwavelength metal slit: Can the pulse have both characteristics?

The existence of resonant enhanced transmission and collimation of light waves by subwavelength slits in metal films [for example, see T.W. Ebbesen et al., Nature (London) 391, 667 (1998) and H.J. Lezec et al., Science, 297, 820 (2002)] leads to the basic question: Can a light be enhanced and simultaneously localized in space and time by a subwavelength slit? To address this question, the spatial distribution of the energy flux of an ultrashort (femtosecond) wave-packet diffracted by a subwavelength (nanometer-size) slit was analyzed by using the conventional approach based on the Neerhoff and Mur solution of Maxwell's equations. The results show that a light can be enhanced by orders of magnitude and simultaneously localized in the near-field diffraction zone at the nm- and fs-scales. Possible applications in nanophotonics are discussed.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2003

Near-field diffraction of fs and sub-fs pulses: super-resolutions of NSOM in space and time

The near-field diffraction of fs and sub-fs light pulses by nm-size slit-type apertures and its implication for near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) is analyzed. The amplitude distributions of the diffracted wave-packets having the central wavelengths in the visible spectral region are found by using the Neerhoff and Mur coupled integral equations, which are solved numerically for each Fourier's component of the wave-packet. In the case of fs pulses, the duration and transverse dimensions of the diffracted pulse remain practically the same as that of the input pulse. This demonstrates feasibility of the NSOM in which a fs pulse is used to provide the fs temporal resolution together with nm-scale spatial resolution. In the sub-fs domain, the Fourier spectrum of the transmitted pulse experiences a considerable narrowing that leads to the increase of the pulse duration in a few times. This imposes a limit on the simultaneous resolutions in time and space.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2003

Diffraction-free subwavelength-beam optics

Diffraction is a fundamental property of light propagation. Owing to this phenomenon,light diffracts out in all directions when it passes through a subwavelength slit.This imposes a fundamental limit on the transverse size of a light beam at a given distance from the aperture. We show that a subwavelength-sized beam propagating without diffractive broadening can be produced in free space by the constructive interference of multiple beams of a Fresnel source of the respective high-refraction-index waveguide. Moreover, it is shown that such a source can be constructed not only for continuous waves, but also for ultra-short (near single-cycle) pulses. The results theoretically demonstrate the feasibility of completely diffraction-free subwavelength-beam optics, for both continuous waves and ultra-short pulses. The approach extends operation of the near-field subwavelength-beam optics, such as near-field scanning optical microscopy and spectroscopy,to the "not-too-distant" field regime (0.5 to about 10 wavelengths).

physics.optics↗