Optical analogue of Rabi oscillations in optical waveguides via structured continuum

Abstract

In this article, simultaneous interaction of two side-coupled waveguides is considered with the dressed continuum represented by a linear waveguide array in which two consecutive pairs of waveguides are coupled in phase (positive coupling) and out-of-phase (negative coupling) alternately. It causes cross-coupling between the two evanescent decay-channels and results in the phenomenon of Rabi-like oscillations of the light field in spatial domain during propagation through the side waveguides. The profile of population exchange between the two side waveguides depends on the distinctive parameter conditions. It is interesting to note that, under no circumstances, light energy resides in the continuum.

Keywords:

• optical waveguide array
• alternate coupling
• opto-quantum analogy
• optical analogue of Rabi flipping

PACS:

• 42.79.Gn
• 03.65.Xp

Acknowledgements

Pradipta Panchadhyayee gratefully acknowledges the University Grants Commission, New Delhi, India for financial support under grant number F.PSW-136/13-14.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the University Grants Commission, India [F.PSW-136/13-14].