Polychromatic dynamic localization in curved photonic lattices

Abstract

Dynamic localization is the suppression of the broadening of a charged-particle wave packet as it moves along a periodic potential in an a.c. electric field. The same effect occurs for optical beams in curved photonic lattices, where the lattice bending has the role of the driving field, and leads to the cancellation of diffraction. Dynamic localization was also observed for Bose-Einstein condensates, and could have a role in the spin dynamics of molecular magnets. It has been predicated that dynamic localization will occur in multi-dimensional lattices at a series of resonances between lattice, particle and driving-field parameters. However, only the first dynamic localization resonance in one-dimensional lattices has been observed in any physical system. Here, we report on the experimental observation of higher-order and mixed dynamic localization resonances in both one- and two-dimensional photonic lattices. New features such as spectral broadening of the dynamic localization resonances and localization-induced transformation of the lattice symmetry are demonstrated. These phenomena could be used to shape polychromatic beams emitted by supercontinuum light sources. Show more