Experimental observation of non-Hermitian phase transitions using laser-induced thermoacoustics.

Abstract

Non-Hermitian physics in open systems has garnered significant attention for its exotic phenomena, particularly surrounding exceptional points that offer transformative potential for multifunctional devices. Central to this field are parity-time ( <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mi>P</mi> <mi>T</mi></math> ) symmetry-defined by balanced gain and loss-and its counterpart, anti- <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mi>P</mi> <mi>T</mi></math> symmetry. However, integrating these divergent concepts into a unified acoustic platform remains an unattainable challenge. In this study, we employ laser-induced thermoacoustics (LIT) to integrate a tunable amplifying component into a non-Hermitian system. By exciting an ultrathin carbon nanotube (CNT) film through laser irradiation, we experimentally observe the phase transitions between <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mi>P</mi> <mi>T</mi></math> and anti- <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mi>P</mi> <mi>T</mi></math> symmetries. Furthermore, our findings demonstrate the creation of selectable scattering states and the generation of acoustic vortex beams (VBs), facilitating both <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mi>P</mi> <mi>T</mi></math> -symmetric scattering and the conversion of topological charges. This acoustically transparent strategy bypasses traditional, path-blocking compensation schemes, offering a versatile framework for controlled non-Hermitian phase transitions in next-generation integrated devices.