Event Details
Visualizing Coupled-Mode Theory: Modes, Basis States, Spin 1/2 and All That
Presenter: Dr. Nicholas Frigo - Technology Leader, AT&T Labs - Research, Middletown, New Jersey
Supervisor:
Date: Thu, July 17, 2003
Time: 16:00:00 - 00:00:00
Place: EOW 430
ABSTRACT
Abstract
Many problems of practical interest involve the interaction of two modes of physical systems, and thus have descriptions that are formally similar to spin 1/2 systems. While the treatments of these systems often appear to be different (i.e. directional couplers, Bragg gratings, coupled harmonic oscillators, magnetic resonance, etc.), there is an appealing geometrical representation that shows the similarities in their behaviors. In this talk, we show a generalized version of a representation with deep historical roots (Poincare, Bloch, etc., show the connection between it and the description of spin 1/2 systems, and describe its use in classical coupled mode problems such as waveguides, optical couplers, optical polarization, et cetera. Extensions to other topics (power non-conserving systems, parametric systems, topological phase, etc.) will be touched upon briefly.
About the Speaker
Nicholas J. Frigo received the B.A. in Physics from Claremont-McKenna College, and the M.S. and Ph.D. in Solid State Physics from Cornell University. He joined the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory in 1982 and worked on fiber optic sensor technology. From 1988 to 1990, he supervised research in fiber optic gyroscopes at Litton Guidance and Control Systems. Since 1990, he has been a leading contributor to optical communications research at AT&T Labs, working on lasers for CATV transmission, optical amplification (EDFAs), noise in undersea lightwave systems, passive optical networks, and managing the Optical Systems Research Department. He recently returned to full-time research, and is currently working on local optical access networks and on polarization mode dispersion. He has served on Technical Program Committees for OFC, and as an Associate Editor of IEEE Photonics Technology Letters.
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
For Further Information Contact:
Dr. T.E. Darcie (721 8686)