Abstract
Achieving exact balance between spatially separated gain and loss is generally regarded as a necessary condition for parity-time- (PT-)symmetric optical systems. We introduce generalized PT- (GPT-)symmetric optical structures, which have an asymmetric and unbalanced gain-loss profile, while exhibiting similar scattering properties and phase transitions as their traditional PT-symmetric counterparts. In particular, we show that the concept of GPT symmetry may help to reduce the threshold gain in achieving newly discovered PT-enabled applications, such as the coherent perfect absorber laser and exceptional points. The concept proposed herein will facilitate the practice of PT-symmetric optical and photonic devices by offering greater design flexibility to tailor gain-loss profiles and their thresholds.
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | 024030 |
Journal | Physical Review Applied |
Volume | 10 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Aug 21 2018 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2018 American Physical Society.
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Physics and Astronomy