Nicolas Bachelard

Taming Random Lasers through Active Spatial Control of the Pump

Active control of the spatial pump profile is proposed to exercise control over random laser emission. We demonstrate numerically the selection of any desired lasing mode from the emission spectrum. An iterative optimization method is employed, first in the regime of strong scattering where modes are spatially localized and can be easily selected using local pumping. Remarkably, this method works efficiently even in the weakly scattering regime, where strong spatial overlap of the modes precludes spatial selectivity. A complex optimized pump profile is found, which selects the desired lasing mode at the expense of others, thus demonstrating the potential of pump shaping for robust and controllable single mode operation of a random laser.

Adaptive pumping for spectral control of random lasers

Random lasers generate the optical feedback required for stimulated emission by scattering light from disordered particles. Their inherent randomness, however, makes controlling the emission wavelength difficult. It is now shown that this problem can be remedied by carefully matching the pump laser to the specific random medium. The concept is applied to a one-dimensional optofluidic device, but could also be applicable to other random lasers.

Optofluidic random laser

Random lasing is reported in a dye-circulated structured polymeric microfluidic channel. The role of disorder, which results from limited accuracy of photolithographic process, is demonstrated by the variation of the emission spectrum with local-pump position and by the extreme sensitivity to a local perturbation of the structure. Thresholds comparable to those of conventional microfluidic lasers are achieved, without the hurdle of state-of-the-art cavity fabrication. Potential applications of optofluidic random lasers for on-chip sensors are discussed. Introduction of random lasers in the field of optofluidics is a promising alternative to on-chip laser integration with light and fluidic functionalities.

PARTIALLY PUMPED RANDOM LASERS

Conventional lasers consist of two components: a gain material that is pumped in order to provide amplification of light and a cavity to provide feedback. Random lasers replace the traditional laser cavity with a random, multiple-scattering medium. This can give rise to complex lasing behavior, such as unpredictable multidirectional and multifrequency output. Controlling these systems has proved difficult and, until now, has consisted of material and structural manipulations. In random lasers, the most common pumping mechanism is an optical field, which can be applied uniformly or partially across the scattering medium. Partial pumping, referring to the restricted spatial extent of the pump applied to the gain material, is therefore quite ubiquitous in such systems. In contrast to conventional lasers, however, the impact of partial pumping can be significant in random lasers as a subset of the scattering medium is probed. In this review, we discuss state-of-the-art investigations of partially pumped random lasers. Numerical and experimental investigations of how even a simple spot profile of the pump can dramatically alter random laser output are presented. First, the simple case of partial pumping in strongly scattering systems where laser modes are spatially confined is described. Then the most common but more difficult case of weakly scattering random lasers is considered. Here, modes are spatially extended, forcing greater mode interaction and making the random laser output more difficult to predict. Finally, we review recent works that show how the pumping degree of freedom allows a general increase in control over random lasers.

Emergence of an enslaved phononic bandgap in a non-equilibrium pseudo-crystal

Material systems that reside far from thermodynamic equilibrium have the potential to exhibit dynamic properties and behaviours resembling those of living organisms. Here we realize a non-equilibrium material characterized by a bandgap whose edge is enslaved to the wavelength of an external coherent drive. The structure dynamically self-assembles into an unconventional pseudo-crystal geometry that equally distributes momentum across elements. The emergent bandgap is bestowed with lifelike properties, such as the ability to self-heal to perturbations and adapt to sudden changes in the drive. We derive an exact analytical solution for both the spatial organization and the bandgap features, revealing the mechanism for enslavement. This work presents a framework for conceiving lifelike non-equilibrium materials and emphasizes the potential for the dynamic imprinting of material properties through external degrees of freedom.

Low-loss and energy efficient modulation in silicon photonic waveguides by adiabatic elimination scheme

High-speed Silicon Photonics calls for solutions providing a small footprint, high density, and minimum crosstalk, as exemplified by the recent development of integrated optical modulators. Yet, the performances of such modulators are hindered by intrinsic material losses, which results in low energy efficiency. Using the concept of Adiabatic Elimination, here, we introduce a scheme allowing for the low-loss modulation in densely packed waveguides. Our system is composed of two waveguides, whose coupling is mediated by an intermediate third waveguide. The signal is carried by the two outer modes, while the active control of their coupling is achieved via the intermediate dark mode. The modulation is performed by the manipulation of the central-waveguide mode index, leaving the signal-carrying waveguides unaffected by the loss. We discuss how Adiabatic Elimination provides a solution for mitigating signal losses and designing relatively compact, broadband, and energy-efficient integrated optical modulators.High-speed Silicon Photonics calls for solutions providing a small footprint, high density, and minimum crosstalk, as exemplified by the recent development of integrated optical modulators. Yet, the performances of such modulators are hindered by intrinsic material losses, which results in low energy efficiency. Using the concept of Adiabatic Elimination, here, we introduce a scheme allowing for the low-loss modulation in densely packed waveguides. Our system is composed of two waveguides, whose coupling is mediated by an intermediate third waveguide. The signal is carried by the two outer modes, while the active control of their coupling is achieved via the intermediate dark mode. The modulation is performed by the manipulation of the central-waveguide mode index, leaving the signal-carrying waveguides unaffected by the loss. We discuss how Adiabatic Elimination provides a solution for mitigating signal losses and designing relatively compact, broadband, and energy-efficient integrated optical modulators.

Linear and nonlinear Rabi oscillations of a two-level system resonantly coupled to an Anderson-localized mode

We use time-domain numerical simulations of a two-dimensional scattering system to study the interaction of a collection of emitters resonantly coupled to an Anderson-localized mode. For a low electric-field intensity, we observe strong coupling between the emitters and the mode, which is characterized by linear Rabi oscillations. Remarkably, a higher intensity induces a nonlinear interaction between the emitters and the mode, referred to as the dynamical Stark effect, resulting in nonlinear Rabi oscillations. The transition between the two regimes is observed and an analytical model is proposed which accurately describes our numerical observations.