laser physics

Light management in non-Hermitian media

Dr. Waqas Ahmed, Electrical Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology

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KAUST

Structured media provide the momentum compensation for the scattering of waves. It is well-known that nano-scale modulations of the refractive index may lead to a temporal and spatial control over light propagation. Yet, also engineering the gain and loss profile uncovers analogous shaping effects. However, only the interplay between both the refractive index and gain and loss modulations introduces unidirectionality in light management. Thus, non-Hermitian optics has become one of the most fertile grounds in optics. A generalized Hilbert transform allows tailoring the two quadratures of the complex permittivity to design periodic or disordered non-Hermitian media, holding either global or local unidirectionality following arbitrary vector fields to tailor the flow of light. The method allows restricting the permittivity within realistic values rendering it suitable for applications.

Waqas Waseem Ahmed

Erasmus Mundus Joint Doctorate in Photonics Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (Spain), Universita degli Studi di Firenze (Italy), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (Germany), Université Paul Cèzanne Aix Marseille III (France).(2018) MS in Electrical Engineering, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Saudi Arabia. (2014) BS in Electronic Engineering, Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology (GIKI), Pakistan. (2009) Research Interests Non-Hermitian Photonics, Nonlinear Optics, Machine Learning, Laser Physics.

Martins Bruvelis

Senior Information Technology Specialist, Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering
Martins is a Tier 3 technical support specialist. He specializes in resolving complex IT infrastructure challenges, provides advanced support, and develops, maintains, and enhances critical software applications and tools. His quantum physics and data science background has refined an investigative, analytical, and data-driven perspective, enabling insightful decision-making and innovative interdisciplinary solutions when addressing complex issues across a broad spectrum of expertise.