arXiv subjects

Matthieu Bellec

Publications and source records attributed to Matthieu Bellec.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2020

Experimental observation of turbulent coherent structures in a superfluid of light

We experimentally explore the rich variety of nonlinear coherent structures arising in a turbulent flow of superfluid light past an obstacle in an all-optical configuration. The different hydrodynamic regimes observed are organised in a unique phase diagram involving the velocity of the flow and the diameter of the obstacle. Then, we focus on the vortices nucleated in the wake of the obstacle by investigating their intensity profile and the dependence of the radius of their core on the healing length. Our results pave the way for further investigations on turbulence in photon superfluids and provide versatile experimental tools for simulating quantum transport with nonlinear light.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2020

Observation of supersymmetric pseudo-Landau levels in strained microwave graphene

Using an array of coupled microwave resonators arranged in a deformed honeycomb lattice, we experimentally observe the formation of pseudo-Landau levels in the whole crossover from vanishing to large pseudomagnetic field strength. This is achieved by utilizing an adaptable set-up in a geometry that is compatible with the pseudo-Landau levels at all field strengths. The adopted approach enables to observe fully formed flat-band pseudo-Landau levels spectrally as sharp peaks in the photonic density of states, and image the associated wavefunctions spatially, where we provide clear evidence for a characteristic nodal structure reflecting the previously elusive supersymmetry in the underlying low-energy theory. In particular, we resolve the full sublattice polarization of the anomalous 0th pseudo-Landau level, which reveals a deep connection to zigzag edge states in the unstrained case.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2019

Anisotropic nonlinear refractive index measurement of a photorefractive crystal via spatial self-phase modulation

We show that the refractive index modification photoinduced in a biased nonlinear photorefractive crystal can be accurately measured and controlled by means of a background incoherent illumination and an external electric field. The proposed easy-to-implement method is based on the far-field measurement of the diffraction patterns of a laser beam propagating through a self-defocusing medium undergoing spatial self-phase modulation. For various experimental conditions, both saturation intensity and maximum refractive index modification have been measured. We also clearly evidence and characterise the anisotropic nonlinear response of the crystal in the stationary regime.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2018

Broadband integrated beam splitter using spatial adiabatic passage

Light routing and manipulation are important aspects of integrated optics. They essentially rely on beam splitters which are at the heart of interferometric setups and active routing. The most common implementations of beam splitters suffer either from strong dispersive response (directional couplers) or tight fabrication tolerances (multimode interference couplers). In this paper we fabricate a robust and simple broadband integrated beam splitter based on lithium niobate with a splitting ratio achromatic over more than 130 nm. Our architecture is based on spatial adiabatic passage, a technique originally used to transfer entirely an optical beam from a waveguide to another one that has been shown to be remarkably robust against fabrication imperfections and wavelength dispersion. Our device shows a splitting ratio of 0.52$\pm $0.03 and 0.48$\pm $0.03 from 1500\,nm up to 1630\,nm. Furthermore, we show that suitable design enables the splitting in output beams with relative phase 0 or $π$. Thanks to their independence to material dispersion, these devices represent simple, elementary components to create achromatic and versatile photonic circuits.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2018

Superfluid motion and drag-force cancellation in a fluid of light

Quantum fluids of light merge many-body physics and nonlinear optics, through the study of light propagation in a nonlinear medium under the shine of quantum hydrodynamics. One of the most outstanding evidence of light behaving as an interacting fluid is its ability to carry itself as a superfluid. Here, we report a direct experimental detection of the transition to superfluidity in the flow of a fluid of light past an obstacle in a bulk nonlinear crystal. In this cavityless all- optical system, we extract a direct optical analog of the drag force exerted by the fluid of light and measure the associated displacement of the obstacle. Both quantities drop to zero in the superfluid regime characterized by a suppression of long-range radiation from the obstacle. The experimental capability to shape both the flow and the potential landscape paves the way for simulation of quantum transport in complex systems.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2017

Non-diffracting states in one-dimensional Floquet photonic topological insulators

One dimensional laser-written modulated photonic lattices are known to be particularly suitable for diffraction management purposes. Here, we address the connection between discrete non-diffracting states and topological properties in such devices through the experimental observation and identification of three classes of non-diffracting state. The first one corresponds to topologically protected edge states, recently predicted in Floquet topological insulators, while the second and third are both bulk modes. One of them testifies of a topological transition, although presenting topological features different from those of the edge states, whether the other one result from specific band structure engineering.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2016

Partial chiral symmetry-breaking as a route to spectrally isolated topological defect states in two-dimensional artificial materials

Bipartite quantum systems from the chiral universality classes admit topologically protected zero modes at point defects. However, in two-dimensional systems these states can be difficult to separate from compacton-like localized states that arise from flat bands, formed if the two sublattices support a different number of sites within a unit cell. Here we identify a natural reduction of chiral symmetry, obtained by coupling sites on the majority sublattice, which gives rise to spectrally isolated point-defect states, topologically characterized as zero modes supported by the complementary minority sublattice. We observe these states in a microwave realization of a dimerized Lieb lattice with next-nearest neighbour coupling, and also demonstrate topological mode selection via sublattice-staggered absorption.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2015

Microwave Experiments Simulating Quantum Search and Directed Transport in Artificial Graphene

A series of quantum search algorithms have been proposed recently providing an algebraic speedup compared to classical search algorithms from $N$ to $\sqrt{N}$, where $N$ is the number of items in the search space. In particular, devising searches on regular lattices has become popular in extending Grover's original algorithm to spatial searching. Working in a tight-binding setup, it could be demonstrated, theoretically, that a search is possible in the physically relevant dimensions 2 and 3 if the lattice spectrum possesses Dirac points. We present here a proof of principle experiment implementing wave search algorithms and directed wave transport in a graphene lattice arrangement. The idea is based on bringing localized search states into resonance with an extended lattice state in an energy region of low spectral density---namely, at or near the Dirac point. The experiment is implemented using classical waves in a microwave setup containing weakly coupled dielectric resonators placed in a honeycomb arrangement, i.e., artificial graphene. Furthermore, we investigate the scaling behavior experimentally using linear chains.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2014

Manipulation of edge states in microwave artificial graphene

Edge states are one important ingredient to understand transport properties of graphene nanoribbons. We study experimentally the existence and the internal structure of edge states under uniaxial strain of the three main edges: zigzag, bearded, and armchair. The experiments are performed on artificial microwave graphene flakes, where the wavefunctions are obtained by direct imaging. We show that uniaxial strain can be used to manipulate the edge states: a single parameter controls their existence and their spatial extension into the ribbon. By combining tight-binding approach and topological arguments, we provide an accurate description of our experimental findings. A new type of zero-energy state appearing at the intersection of two edges, namely the corner state, is also observed and discussed.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2014

Energy landscape in two-dimensional Penrose-tiled quasicrystal

Since their spectacular experimental realisation in the early 80's, quasicrystals have been the subject of very active research, whose domains extend far beyond the scope of solid state physics. In optics, for instance, photonic quasicrystals have attracted strong interest for their specific behaviour, induced by the particular spectral properties, in light transport, plasmonic and laser action. Very recently, one of the most salient spectral feature of quasicrystals, namely the gap labelling, has been observed for a polariton gas confined in a one dimensional quasi-periodic cavity. This experimental result confirms a theory which is now very complete in dimension one. In dimension greater than one, the theory is very far from being complete. Furthermore, some intriguing phenomena, like the existence of self-similar eigenmodes can occur. All this makes two dimensional experimental realisations and numerical simulations pertinent and attractive. Here, we report on measurements and energy-scaling analysis of the gap labelling and the spatial intensity distribution of the eigenstates for a microwave Penrose-tiled quasicrystal. Far from being restricted to the microwave system under consideration, our results apply to a more general class of systems.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2013

Tight-binding couplings in microwave artificial graphene

We experimentally study the propagation of microwaves in an artificial honeycomb lattice made of dielectric resonators. This evanescent propagation is well described by a tight-binding model, very much like the propagation of electrons in graphene. We measure the density of states, as well as the wave function associated with each eigenfrequency. By changing the distance between the resonators, it is possible to modulate the amplitude of next-(next-)nearest-neighbor hopping parameters and to study their effect on the density of states. The main effect is the density of states becoming dissymmetric and a shift of the energy of the Dirac points. We study the basic elements: An isolated resonator, a two-level system, and a square lattice. Our observations are in good agreement with analytical solutions for corresponding infinite lattice.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2012

Topological transition of Dirac points in a microwave experiment

By means of a microwave tight-binding analogue experiment of a graphene-like lattice, we observe a topological transition between a phase with a point-like band gap characteristic of massless Dirac fermions and a gapped phase. By applying a controlled anisotropy on the structure, we investigate the transition directly via density of states measurements. The wave function associated with each eigenvalue is mapped and reveals new states at the Dirac point, localized on the armchair edges. We find that with increasing anisotropy, these new states are more and more localized at the edges.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2012

A Faithful Communication Hamiltonian in Photonic Lattices

Faithful communication is a necessary precondition for large scale all-optical networking and quantum information processing. Related theoretical investigations in different areas of physics have led to various proposals in which finite discrete lattices are used as channels for short-distance communication tasks. Here, in the framework of femtosecond-laser-written waveguide arrays, we present the first experimental realization of such a channel with judiciously engineered couplings.

quant-ph↗