Dissipation-induced transition between optical reciprocity and nonreciprocity
Phys. Rev. A 112, 013116 – Published 21 July, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/298n-q3tq
Abstract
Optical nonreciprocity, violating Lorentz reciprocity, is pivotal for advanced classical optics and quantum networks. Despite significant progress in its realization across diverse systems, intricate interconnection and transition between reciprocity and nonreciprocity remain elusive, which poses a limitation on the development of controllable nonreciprocal devices. Here, we demonstrate that inherent atomic dissipation, traditionally detrimental, serves as a flexible tool for nonreciprocity control. It is shown that the dissipation-dependent atomic population and coherence effects exhibit competitive yet distinct characteristics in breaking Lorentz reciprocity, enabling the coexistence and interconversion of reciprocal and nonreciprocal states within a V-type atomic system. By implementing a dissipation-engineered switching framework, a nontrivial transition between reciprocity and nonreciprocity is achieved. These findings establish the direct link between microscopic dissipation and dynamic nonreciprocity control, paving a way for all-optical reconfigurable nonreciprocity.
