Soliton dynamics in symmetric and non-symmetric complex potentials

Soliton propagation dynamics under the presence of a complex potential are investigated. A large variety of qualitatively different potentials, including periodic, semi-infinite periodic and localized potentials, is considered. Cases of both symmetric and non-symmetric potentials are studied in terms of their effect on soliton dynamics. The rich set of dynamical features of soliton propagation include dynamical trapping, periodic and non-periodic soliton mass variation and non-reciprocal scattering dynamics. These features are systematically investigated with the utilization of an effective particle phase space approach which is shown in remarkable agreement with direct numerical simulations. The generality of the results enables the consideration of potential applications where the inhomogeneity of the gain and loss is appropriately engineered in order to provide desirable soliton dynamics.Comment: 19 pages, 6 figures, Submitted for publication in Opt. Commun. (17/7/2014

Spectral Signatures of Exceptional Points and Bifurcations in the Fundamental Active Photonic Dimer

The fundamental active photonic dimer consisting of two coupled quantum well lasers is investigated in the context of the rate equation model. Spectral transition properties and exceptional points are shown to occur under general conditions, not restricted by PT-symmetry as in coupled mode models, suggesting a paradigm shift in the field of non-Hermitian photonics. The optical spectral signatures of system bifurcations and exceptional points are manifested in terms of self-termination effects and observable drastic variations of the spectral line shape that can be controlled in terms of optical detuning and inhomogeneous pumping.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figure

The Asymmetric Active Coupler: Stable Nonlinear Supermodes and Directed Transport

We consider the asymmetric active coupler (AAC) consisting of two coupled dissimilar waveguides with gain and loss. We show that under generic conditions, not restricted by parity-time symmetry, there exist finite-power, constant-intensity nonlinear supermodes (NS), resulting from the balance between gain, loss, nonlinearity, coupling and dissimilarity. The system is shown to possess nonreciprocal dynamics enabling directed power transport and optical isolation functionality

Power and momentum dependent soliton dynamics in lattices with longitudinal modulation

Soliton dynamics in a large variety of longitudinally modulated lattices are studied in terms of phase space analysis for an effective particle approach and direct numerical simulations. Complex soliton dynamics are shown to depend strongly on both their power/width and their initial momentum as well as on lattice parameters. A rish set of qualitatively distinct dynamical features of soliton propagation that have no counterpart in longitudinally uniform lattices is illustrated. This set includes cases of enhanced soliton mobility, dynamical switching, extended trapping in several transverse lattice periods, and quasiperiodic trapping, which are promising for soliton control applications

The Asymmetric Active Coupler: Stable Nonlinear Supermodes and Directed Transport

We consider the asymmetric active coupler (AAC) consisting of two coupled dissimilar waveguides with gain and loss. We show that under generic conditions, not restricted by parity-time symmetry, there exist finite-power, constant-intensity nonlinear supermodes (NS), resulting from the balance between gain, loss, nonlinearity, coupling and dissimilarity. The system is shown to possess non-reciprocal dynamics enabling directed power transport functionality

Role of the edge electric field in the resonant mode-particle interactions and the formation of transport barriers in toroidal plasmas

The impact of an edge radial electric field on the particle orbits and the orbital spectrum in an axisymmetric toroidal magnetic equilibrium is investigated using a guiding center canonical formalism. Poloidal and bounce/transit-averaged toroidal precession frequencies are calculated, highlighting the role of the radial electric field. The radial electric field is shown to drastically modify the resonance conditions between particles with certain kinetic characteristics and specific perturbative non-axisymmetric modes and to enable the formation of transport barriers. The locations of the resonances and the transport barriers, that determine the particle, energy and momentum transport are shown to be accurately pinpointed in the phase space, by employing the calculated orbital frequencies.Comment: 23 pages, 8 figure

Time Crystals transforming Frequency Combs in Tunable Photonic Oscillators

The response of a tunable photonic oscillator, consisting of an Optically Injected Semiconductor Laser, under an injected Frequency Comb is considered with the utilization of the concept of the Time Crystal that has been widely used for the study of driven nonlinear oscillators in the context of mathematical biology. The dynamics of the original system reduce to a radically simple one-dimensional circle map with properties and bifurcations determined by the specific features of the Time Crystal fully describing the phase response of the limit cycle oscillation. The circle map is shown to accurately model the dynamics of the original nonlinear system of ordinary differential equations and capable for providing conditions for resonant synchronization resulting to output frequency combs with tunable shape characteristics. Such theoretical developments can have potential for significant photonic signal processing applications.Comment: 19 pages, 9 figure