Anderson Localization in Optical Mesh Lattices Realized In Time Domain

Abstract

Recently, a fiber optic based implementation of mesh lattices was proposed [1,2], where discrete timedomain evolution of light pulses is realized. In this system practically arbitrary complex optical potentials can be realized, which opens the possibility to emulate various quantum physics phenomena for optical pulses. Recently, a number of important effects have been demonstrated in synthetic photonic lattices, including random walks of single particles [1], Bloch oscillations and unidirectional invisibility associated with parity-time symmetry [2], scattering on defect states [3], and demonstration of diametric drive acceleration [4]. Here we experimentally demonstrate Anderson localization in a static disordered potential realised in a time-domain optical fiber-based mesh lattice.