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Non-Abelian gauge field optics

Author

Listed:
  • Yuntian Chen

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology
    Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

  • Ruo-Yang Zhang

    (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)

  • Zhongfei Xiong

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

  • Zhi Hong Hang

    (Soochow University)

  • Jensen Li

    (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)

  • Jian Qi Shen

    (Zhejiang University)

  • C. T. Chan

    (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)

Abstract

The concept of gauge field is a cornerstone of modern physics and the synthetic gauge field has emerged as a new way to manipulate particles in many disciplines. In optics, several schemes of Abelian synthetic gauge fields have been proposed. Here, we introduce a new platform for realizing synthetic SU(2) non-Abelian gauge fields acting on two-dimensional optical waves in a wide class of anisotropic materials and discover novel phenomena. We show that a virtual non-Abelian Lorentz force arising from material anisotropy can induce light beams to travel along Zitterbewegung trajectories even in homogeneous media. We further design an optical non-Abelian Aharonov–Bohm system which results in the exotic spin density interference effect. We can extract the Wilson loop of an arbitrary closed optical path from a series of gauge fixed points in the interference fringes. Our scheme offers a new route to study SU(2) gauge field related physics using optics.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuntian Chen & Ruo-Yang Zhang & Zhongfei Xiong & Zhi Hong Hang & Jensen Li & Jian Qi Shen & C. T. Chan, 2019. "Non-Abelian gauge field optics," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-10974-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10974-8
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