Four coupled parity-time symmetric micro-rings for single-mode laser operation

Abstract

In this paper, a novel scheme is proposed to obtain the single-mode laser using parity-time symmetry breaking. Four analogue micro-rings are optically coupled in the square configuration in a way that two micro-rings on the square diameter experience gain and the other two experience loss. The coupling coefficient for horizontal and vertical coupling between micro-rings is considered to be different. According to this new scheme, the symmetry of structure is destroyed, and thus the degenerate modes that can disrupt the stability of laser, disappeared. Due to the coupling of the resonators, four super-modes, which are coupled pairwise, are generated. The Eigen-frequency and parity-time symmetry breaking of the two super-modes depend on the difference between horizontal and vertical coupling coefficient; however, these parameters depend on the summation of the coupling coefficients for the other two. Results show that the laser output is single mode in a specific condition of coupling coefficient and gains. It is concluded that the threshold of pump parameter is improved in the new scheme, relative to the two coupled micro-rings.

Keywords:

• Parity-time symmetry
• coupled micro-rings
• single-mode laser