Researchers create first all-optical photonic time crystal for terahertz light control
An international team led by École Polytechnique has demonstrated the world’s first all-optical photonic time crystal, enabling picosecond-scale manipulation of terahertz radiation.
Scientists from École Polytechnique, Collège de France and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf have built the first all-optical photonic time crystal, a material whose optical response can be switched on picosecond timescales. The device relies on a plasmonic metamaterial where gold crenelated patterns sit above an indium-antimony semiconductor, creating cavities that trap surface plasmons. When illuminated with high-field, phase-stable terahertz pulses from the TELBE superradiant source, the crystal’s reflectivity and resonance shift dramatically and instantly.
A complementary theory developed at Collège de France explains the observed halving of photon dissipation and guides future improvements. The team envisions applications ranging from ultrafast optical computing and smarter terahertz communications to highly tunable lasers for imaging and medical use. Ongoing work aims to further lower losses and increase photon confinement to enable practical devices.
Why it matters
It opens a new way to control light at terahertz speeds, potentially transforming computing, communications and laser technology.
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