Search

The polarization states of terahertz (THz) radiation generated in a photo-ionized gas driven by strong two- or multi-frequency fields with locally controlled polarization are studied. We reveal a universal property of the resulting THz waveforms: the ellipticity of their polarization state increases linearly with the frequency. This ``linear chirp of ellipticity'' makes plasma-based THz generation unique among other THz sources. However, it also puts some constraints on the polarization properties of the generated THz radiation. We derive a general expression for the THz ellipticity and demonstrate how the polarization states of the generated THz waveforms can be manipulated and controlled by the polarization of the pump pulses.

In this work, we consider the time-harmonic Maxwell's equations and their numerical solution with a domain decomposition method. As an innovative feature, we propose a feedforward neural network-enhanced approximation of the interface conditions between the subdomains. The advantage is that the interface condition can be updated without recomputing the Maxwell system at each step. The main part consists of a detailed description of the construction of the neural network for domain decomposition and the training process. To substantiate this proof of concept, we investigate a few subdomains in some numerical experiments with low frequencies. Therein the new approach is compared to a classical domain decomposition method. Moreover, we highlight current challenges of training and testing with different wave numbers and we provide information on the behaviour of the neural-network, such as convergence of the loss function, and different activation functions., Comment: 17 pages, 11 figures, 2 tables

We present a detailed overview of the physics of two-color soliton molecules in nonlinear waveguides, i.e. bound states of localized optical pulses which are held together due to an incoherent interaction mechanism. The mutual confinement, or trapping, of the subpulses, which leads to a stable propagation of the pulse compound, is enabled by the nonlinear Kerr effect. Special attention is paid to the description of the binding mechanism in terms of attractive potential wells, induced by the refractive index changes of the subpulses, exerted on one another through cross-phase modulation. Specifically, we discuss nonlinear-photonics meta atoms, given by pulse compounds consisting of a strong trapping pulse and a weak trapped pulse, for which trapped states of low intensity are determined by a Schr\"odinger-type eigenproblem. We discuss the rich dynamical behavior of such meta-atoms, demonstrating that an increase of the group-velocity mismatch of both subpulses leads to an ionization-like trapping-to-escape transition. We further demonstrate that if both constituent pulses are of similar amplitude, molecule-like bound-states are formed. We show that z-periodic amplitude variations permit a coupling of these pulse compound to dispersive waves, resulting in the resonant emission of Kushi-comb-like multi-frequency radiation.

We study incoherently coupled two-frequency pulse compounds in waveguides with single zero-dispersion and zero-nonlinearity points. In such waveguides, supported by a negative nonlinearity, soliton dynamics can be obtained even in domains of normal dispersion. We demonstrate trapping of weak pulses by solitary-wave wells, forming nonlinear-photonics meta-atoms, and molecule-like bound-states of pulses. We study the impact of Raman effect on these pulse compounds, finding that, depending on the precise subpulse configuration, they decelerate, accelerate, or are completely unaffected. Our results extend the range of systems in which two-frequency pulse compounds can be expected to exist and demonstrate further unique and unexpected behavior.

We numerically explore synthetic crystal diamond for realizing novel light sources in ranges which are up to now difficult to achieve with other materials, such as sub-10-fs pulse durations and challenging spectral ranges. We assess the performance of on-chip diamond waveguides for controlling light generation by means of nonlinear soliton dynamics. Tailoring the cross-section of such diamond waveguides allows to design dispersion profiles with custom zero-dispersion points and anomalous dispersion ranges exceeding an octave. Various propagation dynamics, including supercontinuum generation by soliton fission, can be realized in diamond photonics. In stark contrast to usual silica-based optical fibers, where such processes occur on the scale of meters, in diamond millimeter-scale propagation distances are sufficient. Unperturbed soliton-dynamics prior to soliton fission allow to identify a pulse self-compression scenario that promises record-breaking compression factors on chip-size propagation lengths.

Nonlinear waveguides with two distinct domains of anomalous dispersion can support the formation of molecule-like two-color pulse compounds. They consist of two tightly bound subpulses with frequency loci separated by a vast frequency gap. Perturbing such a two-color pulse compound triggers periodic amplitude and width variations, reminiscent of molecular vibrations. With increasing strength of perturbation, the dynamics of the pulse compound changes from harmonic to nonlinear oscillations. The periodic amplitude variations enable coupling of the pulse compound to dispersive waves, resulting in the resonant emission of multi-frequency radiation. We demonstrate that the location of the resonances can be precisely predicted by phase-matching conditions. If the pulse compound consists of a pair of identical subpulses, inherent symmetries lead to degeneracies in the resonance spectrum. Weak perturbations lift existing degeneracies and cause a splitting of the resonance lines into multiple lines. Strong perturbations result in more complex emission spectra, characterized by well separated spectral bands caused by resonant Cherenkov radiation and additional four-wave mixing processes.

Current precision experiments with single (anti)protons to test CPT symmetry progress at a rapid pace, but are complicated by the need to cool particles to sub-thermal energies. We describe a cryogenic Penning-trap setup for $^9$Be$^+$ ions designed to allow coupling of single (anti)protons to laser-cooled atomic ions for sympathetic cooling and quantum logic spectroscopy. We report on trapping and laser cooling of clouds and single $^9$Be$^+$ ions. We discuss prospects for a microfabricated trap to allow coupling of single (anti)protons to laser-cooled $^9$Be$^+$ ions for sympathetic laser cooling to sub-mK temperatures on ms time scales., Comment: Presented at the Eighth Meeting on CPT and Lorentz Symmetry, Bloomington, Indiana, May 12-16, 2019

We propose a novel scheme to generate single-cycle terahertz (THz) pulses via reflection of an optical femtosecond pulse train from a thin layer of nonlinear resonant medium. Our method is based on a coherent control of low-frequency oscillations and free induction decay in the medium. The specific single-cycle shape of generated THz pulses requires a plane wavefront and detection in the near field. Our theoretical results pave the way to a new, simple and high-efficiency way to generate single-cycle waveshape-tunable terahertz pulses.

We demonstrate quantum control of $^9$Be$^+$ ions directly implemented by an optical frequency comb. Based on numerical simulations of the relevant processes in $^9$Be$^+$ for different magnetic field regimes, we demonstrate a wide applicability when controlling the comb's spectral properties. We introduce a novel technique for the selective and efficient generation of a spectrally tailored narrow-bandwidth optical frequency comb near 313 nm. We experimentally demonstrate internal state control and internal-motional state coupling of $^9$Be$^+$ ions implemented by stimulated-Raman manipulation using a spectrally optimized optical frequency comb. Our pulsed laser approach is a key enabling step for the implementation of quantum logic and quantum information experiments in Penning traps., Comment: Includes supplementary material

A Python package for the calculation of spectrograms with optimized time and frequency resolution for application in the analysis of numerical simulations on ultrashort pulse propagation is presented. Gabor's uncertainty principle prevents both resolutions from being optimal simultaneously for a given window function employed in the underlying short-time Fourier analysis. Our aim is to yield a time-frequency representation of the input signal with marginals that represent the original intensities per unit time and frequency similarly well. As use-case we demonstrate the implemented functionality for the analysis of simulations on ultrashort pulse propagation in a nonlinear waveguide., Comment: 7 pages, 1 figure, supplemental code at https://github.com/omelchert/optfrog.git

Recent experiments on measuring time-delays during tunnelling of cold atoms through an optically created potential barrier are reinvigorating the controversial debate regarding possible time-delays during light-induced tunnelling of an electron from an atom. Compelling theoretical and experimental arguments have been put forward to advocate opposite views, confirming or refuting the existence of finite tunnelling time delays. Yet, such a delay, whether present or not, is but a single quantity characterizing the tunnelling wavepacket; the underlying dynamics are richer. Here we propose to augment photo-electron detection in laser-induced tunnelling with detection of light emitted by the tunnelling electron -- the so-called Brunel radiation. Using a combination of single-color and two-color driving fields, we identify the all-optical signatures of the re-shaping of the tunnelling wavepacket as it emerges from the tunnelling barrier and moves away from the core. This reshaping includes not only an effective time-delay but also time-reversal asymmetry of the ionization process, which we describe theoretically and observe experimentally. We show how both delay and reshaping are mapped on the polarization properties of the Brunel radiation, with different harmonics behaving as different hands of a clock moving at different speeds. The all-optical detection paves the way to time-resolving optical tunnelling in condensed matter systems, e.g. tunnelling across bandgaps in solids, on the attosecond time-scale., Comment: In the last version, only an acknowledgement has been changed in comparison to the pre-last one

It is believed that passive mode locking is virtually impossible in quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) because of too fast carrier relaxation time. Here, we revisit this possibility and theoretically show that stable mode locking and pulse durations in the few cycle regime at terahertz (THz) frequencies are possible in suitably engineered bound-to-continuum QCLs. We achieve this by utilizing a multi-section cavity geometry with alternating gain and absorber sections. The critical ingredients are the very strong coupling of the absorber to both field and environment as well as a fast absorber carrier recovery dynamics. Under these conditions, even if the gain relaxation time is several times faster than the cavity round trip time, generation of few-cycle pulses is feasible. We investigate three different approaches for ultrashort pulse generation via THz quantum cascade lasers, namely passive, hybrid and colliding pulse mode locking.

We present a significantly different reflection process from an optically thin flat metallic or dielectric layer and propose a strikingly simple method to form approximately unipolar half-cycle optical pulses via reflection of a single-cycle optical pulse. Unipolar pulses in reflection arise due to specifics of effectively one-dimensional pulse propagation. Namely, we show that in considered system the field emitted by a flat medium layer is proportional to the velocity of oscillating medium charges instead of their acceleration as it is usually the case. When the single-cycle pulse interacts with linear optical medium, the oscillation velocity of medium charges can be then forced to keep constant sign throughout the pulse duration. Our results essentially differ from the direct mirror reflection and suggest a possibility of unusual transformations of the few-cycle light pulses in linear optical systems.

Brunel radiation appears as a result of a two-step process of photo-ionization and subsequent acceleration of electron, without the need of electron recollision. We show that for generation of Brunel harmonics at all frequencies the subcycle ionization dynamics is of critical importance. Namely, such harmonics disappear at low pump intensities when the ionization dynamics depends only on the slow envelope (so called multiphoton ionization regime) and not on the instantaneous field. Nevertheless, if the pump pulse contains incommensurate frequencies, Brunel mechanism does generate new frequencies even in the multiphoton ionization regime., Comment: accepted for Journal of Modern Optics

Broadband ultrashort terahertz (THz) pulses can be produced using plasma generation in a noble gas ionized by femtosecond two-color pulses. Here we demonstrate that, by using multiple-frequency laser pulses, one can obtain a waveform which optimizes the free electron trajectories in such a way that they reach the highest velocity at the electric field extrema. This allows to increase the THz conversion efficiency to the percent level, an unprecedented performance for THz generation in gases. Besides the analytical study of THz generation using a local current model, we perform comprehensive 3D simulations accounting for propagation effects which confirm this prediction. Our results show that THz conversion via tunnel ionization can be greatly improved with well-designed multicolor pulses.