Optical Supersymmetry in the Time Domain

Originally emerged within the context of string and quantum field theory, and later fruitfully extrapolated to photonics, the algebraic transformations of quantum-mechanical supersymmetry were conceived in the space realm. Here, we introduce a paradigm shift, demonstrating that Maxwell's equations also possess an underlying supersymmetry in the time domain. As a result, we obtain a simple analytic relation between the scattering coefficients of a large variety of time-varying optical systems and uncover a wide new class of reflectionless, three dimensional, all-dielectric, isotropic, omnidirectional, polarization-independent, non-complex media. Temporal supersymmetry is also shown to arise in dispersive media supporting temporal bound states, which allows engineering their momentum spectra and dispersive properties. These unprecedented features define a promising design platform for free-space and integrated photonics, enabling the creation of a number of novel reconfigurable reflectionless devices, such as frequency-selective, polarization-independent and omnidirectional invisible materials, compact frequency-independent phase shifters, broadband isolators, and versatile pulse-shape transformers

Multi-component optical solitary waves

We discuss several novel types of multi-component (temporal and spatial) envelope solitary waves that appear in fiber and waveguide nonlinear optics. In particular, we describe multi-channel solitary waves in bit-parallel-wavelength fiber transmission systems for high performance computer networks, multi-colour parametric spatial solitary waves due to cascaded nonlinearities of quadratic materials, and quasiperiodic envelope solitons due to quasi-phase-matching in Fibonacci optical superlattices.Comment: 12 pages, 11 figures; To be published in: Proceedings of the Dynamics Days Asia-Pacific: First International Conference on Nonlinear Science (Hong-Kong, 13-16 July, 1999), Editor: Bambi Hu (Elsevier Publishers, 2000

Wireless information and power transfer: from scientific hypothesis to engineering practice

Recently, there has been substantial research interest in the subject of Simultaneous Wireless Information andPower Transfer (SWIPT) owing to its cross-disciplinary appeal and its wide-ranging application potential, whichmotivates this overview. More explicitly, we provide a brief survey of the state-of-the-art and introduce severalpractical transceiver architectures that may facilitate its implementation. Moreover, the most important link-levelas well as system-level design aspects are elaborated on, along with a variety of potential solutions and researchideas. We envision that the dual interpretation of Radio Frequency (RF) signals creates new opportunities as wellas challenges requiring substantial research, innovation and engineering efforts

Nanoscale diffractive probing of strain dynamics in ultrafast transmission electron microscopy

The control of optically driven high-frequency strain waves in nanostructured systems is an essential ingredient for the further development of nanophononics. However, broadly applicable experimental means to quantitatively map such structural distortion on their intrinsic ultrafast time and nanometer length scales are still lacking. Here, we introduce ultrafast convergent beam electron diffraction (U-CBED) with a nanoscale probe beam for the quantitative retrieval of the time-dependent local distortion tensor. We demonstrate its capabilities by investigating the ultrafast acoustic deformations close to the edge of a single-crystalline graphite membrane. Tracking the structural distortion with a 28-nm/700-fs spatio-temporal resolution, we observe an acoustic membrane breathing mode with spatially modulated amplitude, governed by the optical near field structure at the membrane edge. Furthermore, an in-plane polarized acoustic shock wave is launched at the membrane edge, which triggers secondary acoustic shear waves with a pronounced spatio-temporal dependency. The experimental findings are compared to numerical acoustic wave simulations in the continuous medium limit, highlighting the importance of microscopic dissipation mechanisms and ballistic transport channels