arXiv subjects

Ulf Peschel

Publications and source records attributed to Ulf Peschel.

59 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2011

Zitterbewegung, Bloch Oscillations and Landau-Zener Tunneling in a Quantum Walk

We experimentally investigate a discrete time quantum walk in a system of coupled fiber loops and observe typical phenomena known from the wave propagation in periodic structures as ballistic spreading or an oscillation between two internal quantum states similar to Zitterbewegung (trembling motion). If a position-dependent phase gradient is applied we find localization and Bloch oscillations of the field for moderate as well as Landau-Zener tunneling for strong phase gradients.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2011

Experimental cross-polarization detection of coupling far-field light to highly confined plasmonic gap modes via nanoantennas

We experimentally demonstrate the coupling of far-field light to highly confined plasmonic gap modes via connected nanoantennas. The excitation of plasmonic gap modes is shown to depend on the polarization, position and wavelength of the incident beam. Far-field measurements performed in crossed polarization allow for the detection of extremely weak signals re-emitted from gap waveguides and can increase the signal-to-noise ratio dramatically.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2010

On the analogy between a single atom and an optical resonator

A single atom in free space can have a strong influence on a light beam and a single photon can have a strong effect on a single atom in free space. Regarding this interaction, two conceptually different questions can be asked: can a single atom fully absorb a single photon and can a single atom fully reflect a light beam. The conditions for achieving the full effect in either case are different. Here we discuss related questions in the context of an optical resonator. When shaping a laser pulse properly it will be fully absorbed by an optical resonator, i.e., no light will be reflected and all the pulse energy will accumulate inside the resonator before it starts leaking out. We show in detail that in this case the temporal pulse shape has to match the time-reversed pulse obtained by the cavity's free decay. On the other hand a resonator, made of highly reflecting mirrors which normally reflect a large portion of any incident light, may fully transmit the light, as long as the light is narrow band and resonant with the cavity. The analogy is the single atom - normally letting most of the light pass - which under special conditions may fully reflect the incident light beam. Using this analogy we are able to study the effects of practical experimental limitations in the atom-photon coupling, such as finite pulses, bandwidths, and solid angle coverage, and to use the optical resonator as a test bed for the implementation of the quantum experiment.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2010

Electromagnetic modes in cavities made of negative-index metamaterials

We discuss electromagnetic modes in cavities formed by metamaterials with negative refraction and demonstrate that the straightforward approach to substitute negative values of the electric permittivity and the magnetic permeability leads to quasi-bound states with a negative quality factor. To ensure positive quality factors and a consistent physical interpretation of the quasi-bound states it is essential to include the frequency dispersion of the permittivity and the permeability, as required by positive field energy and causality. The basic mode equation and the boundary conditions including linear frequency dispersion are derived. As an example we consider a disk-like cavity with deformed cross sectional shape. The transition from the unphysical nondispersive case with negative quality factors to the dispersive case with positive quality factors is demonstrated numerically and in an analytical perturbative treatment.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2005

Photonic Bloch oscillations and Zener tunneling in two-dimensional optical lattices

We report on the first experimental observation of photonic Bloch oscillations and Zener tunneling in two-dimensional periodic systems. We study the propagation of an optical beam in a square photonic lattice superimposed on a refractive index ramp, and demonstrate the tunneling of light from the first to the higher-order transmission bands of the lattice bandgap spectrum, associated with the spectral dynamics inside the first Brillouin zone and corresponding oscillations of the primary beam.

physics.optics↗