Nanoscale Research Letters (Dec 2021)

Coin Paradox Spin–Orbit Interaction Enhances Magneto-Optical Effect and Its Application in On-Chip Integrated Optical Isolator

  • Hao Hu,
  • Jiwei Qi,
  • Qiang Wu,
  • Xianhui Fu,
  • Hongjin Wu,
  • Sihao Zhang,
  • Zongqiang Chen,
  • Jing Chen,
  • Jianghong Yao,
  • Xuanyi Yu,
  • Qian Sun,
  • Jingjun Xu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s11671-021-03634-8
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 16, no. 1
pp. 1 – 7

Abstract

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Abstract We designed a simple on-chip integrated optical isolator made up of a metal–insulator–metal waveguide and a disc cavity filled with magneto-optical material to enhance the transverse magneto-optical effect through the coin paradox spin–orbit interaction (SOI). The simulation results of the non-reciprocal transmission properties of this optical structure show that a high-performance on-chip integrated optical isolator is obtained. The maximum isolation ratio is greater than 60 dB with a corresponding insertion loss of about 2 dB. The great performance of the optical isolator is attributed to the strong transverse magneto-optical effect, which is enhanced by the coin paradox SOI. Moreover, the enhancement of the transverse magneto-optical effect through the coin paradox SOI is more substantial for smaller azimuthal mode number n. Benefiting from this, the transverse magneto-optical effect remains strong in a wide wavelength range. Additionally, a smaller cavity has a stronger transverse magneto-optical effect in the same wavelength range. Our research provides a new perspective for creating highly integrated magneto-optical devices.

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