arXiv subjects

Yan-qing Lu

Publications and source records attributed to Yan-qing Lu.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Low-threshold vortex lasing in three-dimensional cavities via flatband bound states in the continuum

Bound states in the continuum (BICs) offer a robust route toward high-Q resonators and topological structured-light generation. While optically pumped BIC lasers have advanced significantly, realizing electrically pumped vortex lasers remains challenging due to conflicting requirements for optical confinement and carrier injection. Here, we demonstrate an electrically pumped vector vortex laser based on a photonic crystal-guiding layer-distributed Bragg reflector (PC-GL-DBR) heterostructure. The photonic crystal slab precisely tailors the symmetry and dispersion of BIC modes, including a flatband BIC state, while an intermediate guiding layer enables optical mode engineering without directly patterning the multiple-quantum-well active region, preserving efficient carrier injection and strong optical confinement. Under optical pumping, the device achieves single-mode lasing with a Q of 9700, a threshold of 0.129 kW/cm$^2$, and a side-mode suppression ratio of 26 dB. Crucially, room-temperature electrically pumped vortex lasing is achieved with a low turn-on voltage of 1.8 V, a threshold current density of 0.13 kA/cm$^2$, and a cavity Q of 8600, successfully preserving the characteristic vector-vortex emission of the topological BIC state. These results establish a practical route toward electrically driven BIC vortex lasers for integrated structured-light sources and topological photonics.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2026

Programmable branched flow of light

We demonstrate deterministic control of branched flow of light using anisotropic nematic liquid crystals. By sculpting the director field via photoalignment, we create spatially programmable optical potentials that govern light scattering and propagation. This platform enables configurable, anisotropic branched flow of light and reveals a universal scaling law for its characteristic features, directly connecting disordered photonics with mesoscopic wave transport. Under extreme anisotropy, we observe a pronounced directional channeling effect, driven by anomalous symmetry-breaking velocity diffusion, which concentrates light propagation along preferential directions while suppressing transverse spreading. These findings establish a tunable material platform for harnessing branched flow of light, opening pathways toward on-chip photonic circuits that exploit disorder-guided transport, scattering-resilient endoscopic imaging, and adaptive optical interfaces in complex media.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2023

Transient logic operations in acoustics through dynamic modulation

In quantum logic operations, information is carried by the wavefunction rather than the energy distribution. Therefore, the relative phase is essential. Abelian and non-Abelian phases can be emulated in classical waves using passive coupled waveguides with geometric modulation. However, the dynamic phases interference induced by waveguide structure variation is inevitable.To overcome the challenges, we introduce an electroacoustic coupled system that enables the precise control of phase distribution through dynamic modulation of hopping. Such effective hopping is electronically controlled and is utilized to construct various paths in parameter space. These paths lead to state evolution with matrix-valued geometric phases, which correspond to logic operations. We report experimental realizations of several logic operations, including $Y$ gate, $Z$ gate, Hadamard gate and non-Abelian braiding. Our work introduces a temporal process to manipulate transient modes in a compact structure, providing a versatile experimental testbed for exploring other logic gates and exotic topological phenomena.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2022

The collective motion of self-propelled particles affected by the spatial-dependent noise

We study the collective motion of self-propelled particles affected by the spatial-dependent noise based on the Vicsek rules. Only the particles inside the special region will affected by noise. The consideration of the spatial-dependent noise is closer to reality because of the complexity of the environment. Interestingly, we find that there exists an optimal amplitude of noise to adjust the average motional direction of the system. Particular orientation of the noisy region makes the motional direction of the system parallel to the orientation of the noisy region. The adjustment of the motional direction of the system also depends on the shape, the proportion and the spatial distribution of the noisy region. Our findings may inspire the capture of the key features of collective motion underlying various phenomena.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2020

Approaching quantum-limited metrology with imperfect detectors by using weak-value amplification

Weak value amplification (WVA) is a metrological protocol that amplifies ultra-small physical effects. However, the amplified outcomes necessarily occur with highly suppressed probabilities, leading to the extensive debate on whether the overall measurement precision is improved in comparison to that of conventional measurement (CM). Here, we experimentally demonstrate the unambiguous advantages of WVA that overcome practical limitations including noise and saturation of photo-detection and maintain a shot-noise-scaling precision for a large range of input light intensity well beyond the dynamic range of the photodetector. The precision achieved by WVA is six times higher than that of CM in our setup. Our results clear the way for the widespread use of WVA in applications involving the measurement of small signals including precision metrology and commercial sensors.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2019

All fiber ultrafast laser generating gigahertz pulse based on a hybrid plasmonic microfiber resonator

Ultrafast lasers generating high repetition rate ultrashort pulses through various mode-locking methods can benefit many important applications including communication, materials processing, astronomical observation, etc. For decades, mode-locking based on dissipative four-wave-mixing (DFWM) has been fundamental in producing pulses with repetition rates on the order of gigahertz (GHz), where multiwavelength comb filters and long nonlinear components are elemental. Recently, this method has been improved using filter-driven DFWM, which exploits both the filtering and nonlinear features of silica microring resonators. However, the fabrication complexity and coupling loss between waveguides and fibers are problematics. In this study, we demonstrate a tens to hundreds of gigahertz stable pulsed all-fiber laser based on the hybrid plasmonic microfiber knot resonator device. Unlike previously reported pulse generation mechanisms, the operation utilizes the nonlinear-polarization-rotation (NPR) effect introduced by the polarization-dependent feature of the device to increase intracavity power for boosting DFWM mode-locking, which we term NPR -stimulated DFWM. The easily-fabricated versatile device acts as a polarizer, comb filter, and nonlinear component simultaneously, thereby introducing a novel application of microfiber resonator devices in ultrafast and nonlinear photonics. We believe that our work underpins a significant improvement in achieving practical low-cost ultrafast light sources.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2019

Ultrahigh Responsivity Photodetectors of Two-dimensional Covalent Organic Frameworks Integrated on Graphene

Two dimensional (2D) materials exhibit superior properties in electronic and optoelectronic fields. The wide demand for high performance optoelectronic devices promotes the exploration of diversified 2D materials. Recently, 2D covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have emerged as next-generation layered materials with predesigned pi electronic skeletons and highly ordered topological structures, which are promising for tailoring their optoelectronic properties. However, COFs are usually produced as solid powders due to anisotropic growth, making them unreliable to integrate into devices. Here, by selecting tetraphenylethylene (TPE) monomers with photoelectric activity, we designed and synthesized photosensitive 2D COFs with highly ordered topologies and grew 2D COFs in situ on graphene to form well ordered COF graphene heterostructures. Ultrasensitive photodetectors were successfully fabricated with the COFETBC TAPT graphene heterostructure and exhibited an excellent overall performance. Moreover, due to the high surface area and the polarity selectivity of COFs, the photosensing properties of the photodetectors can be reversibly regulated by specific target molecules. Our research provides new strategies for building advanced functional devices with programmable material structures and diversified regulation methods, paving the way for a generation of high performance applications in optoelectronics and many other fields.

physics.app-ph↗

arXiv2018

Evolution of orbital angular momentum in a soft quasi-periodic structure with topological defects

We propose a quasi-periodic structure (QPS) with topological defects. The analytical expression of the corresponding Fourier spectrum is derived, which reflects the combined effects of topological structure and quasitranslational symmetry. Light-matter interaction therein brings unusual diffraction characteristics with exotic evolution of orbital angular momentum (OAM). Long-range correlation of QPS resulted in multi-fractal and pairwise distribution of optical singularities. A general conversation law of OAM was revealed. A liquid crystal photopatterning QPS is fabricated to demonstrate the above characteristics. Dynamic reconfigurable manipulation of optical singularities was achieved. Our approach offers the opportunity to manipulate OAM with multiple degrees of freedom, which has promising applications in multi-channel quantum information processing and highdimensional quantum state generation.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2018

Evolution and spatial distribution of Brillouin backscattering associated to hybrid acoustic modes in sub-wavelength silica microfibers

The spectral evolution and spatial distribution of backscattered Brillouin signals is experimentally investigated in sub-wavelength silica microfibers. The Brillouin spectrum evolution reveals the different dynamics of the various peaks, offering evidence of backscattering signals induced by acoustic waves with phase velocity greater than that of the longitudinal wave. The spatial distribution is found to have significant influence on the response of Brillouin scattering under tensile load, with hybrid acoustic modes providing a smaller response under axial strain. This insight into interactions between optical and hybrid acoustic modes at sub-wavelength confinements could help understand ultrasonic waves in tapered waveguides, and have potential applications in optical sensing and detection.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2016

Ferroelectric domain inversion and its stability in lithium niobate thin film on insulator with different thicknesses

Ferroelectric domain inversion and its effect on the stability of lithium niobate thin films on insulator (LNOI) are experimentally characterized. Two sets of specimens with different thicknesses varying from submicron to microns are selected. For micron thick samples (~28 um), domain structures are achieved by pulsed electric field poling with electrodes patterned via photolithography. No domain structure deterioration has been observed for a month as inspected using polarizing optical microscopy and etching. As for submicron (540 nm) films, large-area domain inversion is realized by scanning a biased conductive tip in a piezoelectric force microscope. A graphic processing method is taken to evaluate the domain retention. A domain life time of 25.0 h is obtained and possible mechanisms are discussed. Our study gives a direct reference for domain structure-related applications of LNOI, including guiding wave nonlinear frequency conversion, nonlinear wavefront tailoring, electro-optic modulation, and piezoelectric devices.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2015

Mechanical Modulation of Hybrid Graphene Microfiber Structure

Recently, the strain engineering of two-dimensional materials such as graphene has attracted considerable attention for its great potential in functional nanodevices. Here, we theoretically and experimentally investigate the strain manipulation of a graphene-integrated microfiber system for the first time. We analyze the influential factors of strain tuning, i.e., the geometrical parameters of the microfiber, the strain magnitude, and the probe-light wavelength. Moreover, we experimentally achieve in-line modulation as high as 30% with a moderate strain of ~5%, which is two orders of magnitude larger than previous results. The dynamic vibration response is also researched. The broadband, polarization-independent, cost-effective, strain-based modulator may find applications in low-speed modulation and strain sensing. Further, we believe that our platform may allow for all-in fiber engineering of graphene-analogue materials and provide new ideas for graphene-integrated flexible device design.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2015

Polarization-dependent all-optical modulator with ultra-high modulation depth based on a stereo graphene-microfiber structure

We report an in-line polarization-dependent all-optical fiber modulator based on a stereo graphene-microfiber structure (GMF) by utilizing the lab-on-rod technique. Owing to the unique spring-like geometry, an ultra-long GMF interaction length can be achieved, and an ultra-high modulation depth (MD) of ~7.5 dB and a high modulation efficiency (ME) of ~0.2 dB/mW were demonstrated for one polarization state. The MD and ME are more than one order larger than those of other graphene-waveguide hybrid all-optical modulators. By further optimizing the transferring and cleaning process, the modulator can quickly switch between transparent and opaque states for both the two polarization states with a maximized MD of tens of decibels. This modulator is compatible with current fiber-optic communication systems and may be applied in the near future to meet the impending need for ultrafast optical signal processing.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2014

Reconfigurable optical-force-drive chirp and delay-line in micro/nano-fiber Bragg grating

The emergence of optical micro/nano-fiber (MNF) with a subwavelength diameter, which has ultra-light mass and an intense light field, brings an opportunity for develop fiber based optomechanical systems. In this study, we theoretically show an optomechanical effect in silica MNF Bragg gratings (MNFBGs). The light-induced mechanical effect results in continuously distributed strain along the grating. It is shown that the power-related strain introduces an optically reconfigurable chirp in the grating period. We develop new optomechanical coupled-mode equations and theoretically analyze the influence of the optical-force-induced nonlinearity and chirp on the grating performance. Compared with weak Kerr effect, the optomechanics effect dominated in the properties evolution of MNFBGs and significant group velocity reduction and switching effect have been theoretically demonstrated at medium power level. This kind of optomechanical MNFBG with optically reconfigurable chirp may offer a path toward all-optical tunable bandwidth of Bragg resonance and may lead to useful applications such as all-optical switching and optically controlled dispersion and slow/fast light.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2014

Platform for enhanced light-graphene interaction length and miniaturizing fiber stereo-devices

Sufficient light-matter interactions are important for waveguide-coupled graphene optoelectronic devices. Using a microfiber-based lab-on-a-rod technique, we present a platform for ultra-long light-graphene interaction and design graphene-integrated helical microfiber (MF) devices. Using this approach, we experimentally demonstrate an in-line stereo polarizer by wrapping an MF on a rod pretreated with a graphene sheet. The device operates as a broadband (450 nm wavelength) polarizer capable of achieving an extinction ratio (ER) as high as ~8 dB/coil in the telecommunication band. Furthermore, we extend this approach to successfully demonstrate a high-Q graphene-based single-polarization resonator, which operates with an ER of ~11 dB with excellent suppression of polarization noise. The fiber-coil resonator shows great potential for sensing applications and gyro-integration. By specializing the rod surface and coil geometry, we believe the preliminary results reported herein could contribute to advancing the research for lab-on-a-rod graphene-MF-integrated devices.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2014

The influence of van der Waals forces on the waveguide deformation and power limit of nanoscale optomechanical systems

The ultra-short range force, van der Waals force (VWF), will rise rapidly when one nanoscale waveguide is close to another one, and be stronger than the external transverse gradient force (TGF). We theoretically investigate the giant influence of the VWF on the device performance in a typical optomechanical system consisting of a suspended silicon waveguide and a silica substrate including waveguide deformation stiction and failure mechanism. The device shows unique optically-activated plastic/elastic behaviors and stiction due to the VWF. When the input optical power is above the critical power, the waveguide is sticking to the substrate and the deformation is plastic and unrecoverable, even though the total force is less than the yield strength of the waveguide material. This is important and helpful for the design and applications of optomechanical devices.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2013

Nonlinear Transformation of Orbital Angular Momentum through Quasi-phase Matching

We propose and investigate the quasi-phase matched (QPM) nonlinear optical frequency conversion of optical vortices in periodically poled Lithium Niobate (PPLN). Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) modes are used to represent the orbital angular momentum (OAM) states, characterized with the azimuthal and radial indices. Typical three-wave nonlinear interactions among the involved OAM modes are studied with the help of coupling wave equations. Being different from normal QPM process where the energy and quasi-momentum conservations are satisfied, both of the azimuthal and radial indices of the OAM states keep constant in most of the cases. However, abnormal change of the radial index is observed when there is asynchronous nonlinear conversion in different parts of the beams. The QPM nonlinear evolution of fractional OAM states is also discussed showing some interesting properties. In comparison with the traditional birefringent phase matching (BPM), the QPM technique avoids the undesired walk-off effect to reserve high-quality LG modes. We believe the QPM is an efficient way to convert, amplify and switch OAM states in various optical vortex related applications.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2013

Generation and manipulation of entangled photons in a domain-engineered lithium niobate waveguide

We propose to integrate the electro-optic tuning function into polarization-entangled photon pair generation process in a periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN). Due to the versatility of PPLN, both the spontaneously parametric down conversion and electro-optic polarization rotation effects could be realized simultaneously. Orthogonally-polarized and parallel-polarized photon pairs thus are instantly switchable by tuning the applied field. The characteristics of the source are investigated showing adjustable bandwidths and high entanglement degrees. Moreover, other kinds of reconfigurable entanglement are also achievable based on suitable domain-design. We believe the domain engineering is a very promising solution for next generation function-integrated quantum circuits.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2012

Efficient surface second-harmonic generation in slot micro/nano-fibers

We propose to use slot micro/nano-fiber (SMNF) to enhance the second-harmonic generation based on surface dipole nonlinearity. The slot structure is simple and promising to manufacture with high accuracy and reliability by mature micromachining techniques. Light field can be enhanced and confined, and the surface area can be increased in the sub-wavelength low-refractive-index air slot. The maximum conversion efficiency of the SMNFs in our calculations is about 24 times higher than that of circular micro/nano-fibers. It is promising to provide a competing platform for a new class of fiber-based ultra-tiny light sources spanning the UV- to the mid-infrared spectrum.

physics.optics↗