One-way Optical Transparency at Telecommunications Wavelengths

Published June 17, 2022

Three different measurement configurations for which one can realize nonreciprocity in Ni3TeO6

Generally, light transmission is symmetrical - it's the same if you shine a light through a material forward or backwards. Using powerful pulsed fields, researchers revealed one-way transparency in a nickel-tellurium-oxygen based material showing that light flows one way across the telecom range – a finding that opens the door to exciting new photonics applications.

What did scientists discover?

Magneto-optical spectroscopy in 60 tesla pulsed magnetic fields revealed differences between forward and backward light transmission in the chiral, polar magnet Ni₃TeO₆. Depending upon the geometry of the measurement (see Figure), researchers can dramatically vary the dichroic contrast at 1550nm – a very important wavelength for fiber optic telecommunications.

Why is this important?

Symmetry plays a crucial role in determining the properties of materials. Usually, light transmission is the same if you shine a light through a material forward or backwards. This is due to the preservation of the symmetry. When symmetry breaks, interesting "optical diode effects" can be observed. The one-way transparency in Ni₃TeO₆ is one of the consequences of broken symmetries. Ni₃TeO₆ is a magnet that hosts both chirality and polarity, making it a superb platform for unraveling optical diode effects in different geometries. This effect takes place in an extremely useful range of the electromagnetic spectrum, paving the way for photonic applications in fiber optic telecommunications.

Who did the research?

K. Park¹, M. O. Yokosuk¹, M. Goryca², J. J. Yang³, S. A. Crooker², S.-W. Cheong⁴, K. Haule⁴, D. Vanderbilt⁴, H.-S. Kim⁵, and J. L. Musfeldt¹

¹University of Tennessee; ²National MagLab, Los Alamos National Laboratory; ³New Jersey Institute of Technology; ⁴Rutgers University; ⁵Kangwon National University;

Why did they need the MagLab?

An intense magnetic field is required to break time-reversal symmetry, which is key to observing this one-way transparency.

Details for scientists

View or download the expert-level Science Highlight, One-way Optical Transparency at Telecommunications Wavelengths
Read the full-length publication Nonreciprocal directional dichroism at telecom wavelengths, in Nature Quantum Materials (npj)

Funding

This research was funded by the following grants: J. L. Musfeldt (DMR-1629079 ); S.-W Cheong, K. Haule, D. Vanderbilt (DMR-1629059); S. A. Crooker (DMR-1644779); H.-S Kim (NRF-2020R1C1C1005900 & KSC-2020CRE-0156).

For more information, contact Neil Harrison.