Spectral transformations in the regime of pulse self-trapping in a nonlinear photonic crystal

We consider interaction of a femtosecond light pulse with a one-dimensional photonic crystal with relaxing cubic nonlinearity in the regime of self-trapping. By use of numerical simulations, it is shown that, under certain conditions, the spectra of reflected and transmitted light possess the properties of narrow-band (quasi-monochromatic) or wide-band (continuum-like) radiation. It is remarkable that these spectral features appear due to a significant frequency shift and occur inside a photonic band gap of the structure under investigation.Comment: 7 pages, 8 figure

Propagation of subcycle pulses in a two-level medium: Area-theorem breakdown and pulse shape

We solve the problem of ultrashort pulse propagation in a two-level medium beyond the rotating-wave (RWA) and slowly-varying-envelope approximations. The method of solution is based on the Maxwell--Bloch equations represented in the form that allows one to switch between RWA and general (non-RWA) cases in the framework of a single numerical algorithm. Using this method, the effect of a subcycle pulse (containing less than a single period of field oscillations) on the two-level medium was analyzed. It is shown that for such short pulses, the clear breakdown of the area theorem occurs for the pulses of large enough area. Moreover, deviations from the area theorem appear to be strongly dependent on the pulse shape that cannot be observed for longer few-cycle pulses.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Pulse propagation in one-dimensional disordered photonic crystals: Interplay of disorder with instantaneous and relaxing nonlinearities

Propagation of ultrashort light pulses in disordered multilayers is studied by using numerical simulations in time domain. We consider cases of instantaneous and noninstantaneous Kerr nonlinearities of the structure materials. The competitive nature of disorder and nonlinearity is revealed on the long and short timescales. We also pay special attention to the effect of pulse self-trapping in the photonic crystal with relaxing nonlinearity and show the dependence of this effect on the level of disorder. We believe that the results reported here will be useful not only in the field of optics but also from the standpoint of the general problem of classical waves propagation in nonlinear disordered periodic media.Comment: 9 pages, 13 figure

Controlled absorption and all-optical diode action due to collisions of self-induced transparency solitons

We study inelastic collisions of counter-propagating self-induced transparency solitons in a homogeneously broadened two-level medium. The energy of the pulse can be almost totally absorbed in the medium due to asymmetric collision with a properly chosen control pulse. The medium state thus prepared demonstrates the property of an all-optical diode which transmits pulses from one direction and blocks from another. The saturation process of a controlled absorption effect, local-field correction influence, and the parameter ranges for the diode action are studied as well.Comment: 7 pages, 9 figure