Supersymmetric laser arrays.

Hokmabadi, Mohammad P; Nye, Nicholas S; El-Ganainy, Ramy; Christodoulides, Demetrios N; Khajavikhan, Mercedeh · Science · 2019

basic_science · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

Scaling up the radiance of coupled laser arrays has been a long-standing challenge in photonics. In this study, we demonstrate that notions from supersymmetry-a theoretical framework developed in high-energy physics-can be strategically used in optics to address this problem. In this regard, a supersymmetric laser array is realized that is capable of emitting exclusively in its fundamental transverse mode in a stable manner. Our results not only pave the way toward devising new schemes for scaling up radiance in integrated lasers, but also, on a more fundamental level, could shed light on the intriguing synergy between non-Hermiticity and supersymmetry.