Lower bound for the spatial extent of localized modes in photonic-crystal waveguides with small random imperfections

Light localization due to random imperfections in periodic media is paramount in photonics research. The group index is known to be a key parameter for localization near photonic band edges, since small group velocities reinforce light interaction with imperfections. Here, we show that the size of the smallest localized mode that is formed at the band edge of a one-dimensional periodic medium is driven instead by the effective photon mass, i.e. the flatness of the dispersion curve. Our theoretical prediction is supported by numerical simulations, which reveal that photonic-crystal waveguides can exhibit surprisingly small localized modes, much smaller than those observed in Bragg stacks thanks to their larger effective photon mass. This possibility is demonstrated experimentally with a photonic-crystal waveguide fabricated without any intentional disorder, for which near-field measurements allow us to distinctly observe a wavelength-scale localized mode despite the smallness (∼1/1000 of a wavelength) of the fabrication imperfections

Experimental Observation of Quantum Chaos in a Beam of Light

The manner in which unpredictable chaotic dynamics manifests itself in quantum mechanics is a key question in the field of quantum chaos. Indeed, very distinct quantum features can appear due to underlying classical nonlinear dynamics. Here we observe signatures of quantum nonlinear dynamics through the direct measurement of the time-evolved Wigner function of the quantum-kicked harmonic oscillator, implemented in the spatial degrees of freedom of light. Our setup is decoherence-free and we can continuously tune the semiclassical and chaos parameters, so as to explore the transition from regular to essentially chaotic dynamics. Owing to its robustness and versatility, our scheme can be used to experimentally investigate a variety of nonlinear quantum phenomena. As an example, we couple this system to a quantum bit and experimentally investigate the decoherence produced by regular or chaotic dynamics.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figure

Continuum shell model: From Ericson to conductance fluctuations

We discuss an approach for studying the properties of mesoscopic systems, where discrete and continuum parts of the spectrum are equally important. The approach can be applied (i) to stable heavy nuclei and complex atoms near the continuum threshold, (ii) to nuclei far from the region of nuclear stability, both of the regions being of great current interest, and (iii) to mesoscopic devices with interacting electrons. The goal is to develop a new consistent version of the continuum shell model that simultaneously takes into account strong interaction between fermions and coupling to the continuum. Main attention is paid to the formation of compound resonances, their statistical properties, and correlations of the cross sections. We study the Ericson fluctuations of overlapping resonances and show that the continuum shell model nicely describes universal properties of the conductance fluctuations

The Fermi-Pasta-Ulam model: the birth of numerical simulation

In May 1955 the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory published the technical report “Studies of nonlinear problems” by E. Fermi, J. Pasta and S. Ulam in which, for the first time, a computer was used to perform an experiment through numerical simulations. The present paper surveys the history of the experiment, its unexpected outcomes, such as the so-called FPU paradox, and the related studies by some of the greatest mathematicians of the time, following them to the most recent results and discoveries