Ian Walmsley

Abstract:

We report the observation of a mode associated with a topological defect in the bulk of a 2D photonic material by introducing a vortex distortion to a hexagonal lattice analogous to graphene. The observed modes lie midgap at zero energy and are closely related to Majorana bound states in superconducting vortices. This is the first experimental demonstration of the Jackiw-Rossi model [R. Jackiw and P. Rossi, Nucl. Phys. B190, 681 (1981)NUPBBO0550-321310.1016/0550-3213(81)90044-4].

Abstract:

Electro-optic modulators within Mach–Zehnder interferometers are a common construction for optical switches in integrated photonics. A challenge faced when operating at high switching speeds is that noise from the electronic drive signals will effect switching performance. Inspired by the Mach–Zehnder lattice switching devices of Van Campenhout et al. [Opt. Express 17(26), 23793 (2009).] and techniques from the field of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance known as composite pulses, we present switches which offer protection against drive-noise in both the on and off state of the switch for both the phase and intensity information encoded in the switched optical mode.