1205.4560 (Ali Mostafazadeh)

Self-dual Spectral Singularities and Coherent Perfect Absorbing Lasers
without PT-symmetry    [PDF]

Ali Mostafazadeh

A PT-symmetric optically active medium that lases at the threshold gain also acts as a complete perfect absorber at the laser wavelength. This is because spectral singularities of PT-symmetric complex potentials are always accompanied by their time-reversal dual. We investigate the significance of PT-symmetry for the appearance of these self-dual spectral singularities. In particular, using a realistic optical system we show that self-dual spectral singularities can emerge also for non-PT-symmetric configurations. This signifies the existence of non-PT-symmetric CPA-lasers.

View original: http://arxiv.org/abs/1205.4560