Efficient non-Hermitian wave-modulation protocol with a rapid parametric jump

Abstract

Non-Hermitian photonic wave modulators utilizing exceptional points (EPs) was previously proposed as a potential approach to realize high-performance and compact optical modulators. However, their practical implementation has been restricted by their substantial footprint size limit due to stringent adiabatic conditions near EPs. Here, we demonstrate a principle for efficient wave modulation through optimized parametric trajectories around an EP. By employing rapid encirclement or parametric jump over the EP, we achieve an extinction ratio of 43 dB within a total device length of 15 coupling-length unit. Importantly, we show that adiabatic processes around the EP in the initial stage of the entire evolution can be replaced by an instantaneous parametric jump without compromising the switching performance in stark contrast to the conventional wisdom from the standard adiabaticity.