Visual observation of Zener tunneling.
We experimentally investigate photonic Zener tunneling between the bands of a waveguide array by directly monitoring the propagating light inside this structure. For strong transverse index gradients we observe Zener breakdown as regular outbursts of radiation escaping from the Bloch oscillations. Tunneling to higher order photonic bands and Bloch oscillations in different bands have been detected.
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Max-Wien-Platz 1, 07743 Jena, Germany.
Henrike
H
Trompeter
Thomas
T
Pertsch
Falk
F
Lederer
Dirk
D
Michaelis
Ulrich
U
Streppel
Andreas
A
Bräuer
Ulf
U
Peschel