The condition for a negative index of refraction with respect to the vacuum index is established in terms of permittivity and permeability susceptibilities. It is found that the imposition of analyticity to satisfy the Kramers-Kronig relations is a sufficiently general criterion for a physical negative index. The satisfaction of the Kramers-Kronig relations is a manifestation of the principle of causality and the predicted frequency region of negative index agrees with the Depine-Lakhtakia condition for the phase velocity being anti-directed to the Poynting vector, although the conditions presented here do not assume {\it a priori} a negative solution branch for n.
The Kramers-Kronig (KK) algorithm, useful for retrieving the phase of a spectrum based on the known spectral amplitude, is applied to reconstruct the impulse response of a diffusive medium. It is demonstrated by a simulation of a 1D scattering medium with realistic parameters that its impulse response can be generated from the KK method with high accuracy.
Analytic and passivity properties of reflection and transmission coefficients of thin-film multilayered stacks are investigated. Using a rigorous formalism based on the inverse Helmholtz operator, properties associated to causality principle and passivity are established when both temporal frequency and spatial wavevector are continued in the complex plane. This result extends the range of situations where the Kramers-Kronig relations can be used to deduce the phase from the intensity. In particular, it is rigorously shown that Kramers-Kronig relations for reflection and transmission coefficie…
Surface topology measurements of micro- or nanostructures is essential for both scientific and industrial applications. However, high-throughput measurements remain challenging in surface metrology. We present a single-shot full-field surface topography measurement using Kramers-Kronig holographic imaging and spectral multiplexing. Three different intensity images at different incident angles were simultaneously measured with three different colors, from which a quantitative phase image was retrieved using spatial Kramers-Kronig relations. A high-resolution topographic image of the sample was …
We use the Kramers-Kronig transform (KKT) with logarithmic kernel to obtain the reflection phase and, subsequently, the complex refractive index of a bulk mirror from reflectance. However, there remains some confusion regarding the formulation for this analysis. Assuming the damped Drude model for the dielectric constant and the oblique incidence case, we calculate the additional terms: phase at zero frequency and Blashke factor and we propose a reformulated KKT within this model. Absolute reflectance in the s-polarization case of a gold film is measured between 40 and 350 eV for various glanc…
We study the truncated Kramers-Kronig (KK) medium to reveal the effects of nonreciprocity in reflection on the scattering and the wave guiding properties. We focus on the simplest possible spatial profile mimicking the dielectric response. We show that a finite slab of KK medium can support only one sided null scattering under bidirectional identical illumination. However, for a phase lag between the two incident beams it is possible to have null scattering on the other side. This is shown to be a consequence of the nonreciprocity in reflection due to the inherent asymmetry of the KK medium. W…
Orbital angular momentum (OAM) spectrum diagnosis is a fundamental building block for diverse OAM-based systems. Among others, the simple on-axis interferometric measurement can retrieve the amplitude and phase information of complex OAM spectra in a few shots. Yet, its single-shot retrieval remains illusive, due to the signal-signal beat interference inherent in the measurement. Here, we introduce the concept of Kramers-Kronig (KK) receiver in coherent communications to the OAM domain, enabling rigorous, single-shot OAM spectrum measurement. We explain in detail the working principle and the …
In a seminal work, S.A.R. Horsley and collaborators [S.A.R. Horsley {\em et al.}, Nature Photon. {\bf 9}, 436 (2015)] have shown that, in the framework of non-Hermitian extensions of the Schrödinger and Helmholtz equations, a localized complex scattering potential with spatial distributions of the real and imaginary parts related to one another by the spatial Kramers-Kronig relations are reflectionless and even invisible under certain conditions. Here we consider the scattering properties of Kramers-Kronig potentials for the discrete version of the Schrödinger equation, which generally describ…
For a number of optical applications, it is advantageous to precisely tune the refractive index of a liquid. Here, we harness a well-established concept in optics for this purpose. The Kramers-Kronig relation provides physical connection between the spectral variation of the (real) refractive index and the absorption coefficient. In particular a sharp spectral variation of the absorption coefficient gives rise to either an enhancement or reduction of the refractive index in the spectral vicinity of this variation. By using bright commodity dyes that fulfil this absorption requirement, we demon…
We investigate nonanalyticities (e.g., zeros and poles) of refractive index $n(ω)$ and group index $n_g(ω)$ in different optical setups. We first demonstrate that: while a Lorentzian dielectric has no nonanalyticity in the upper half of the complex frequency plane (CFP), its group index -- which governs the pulse-center propagation -- violates the Kramers-Kronig relations (KKRs). Thus, we classify the nonanalyticities as in the (a) first-order (refractive index or reflection) and (b) second-order (group index or group delay). The latter contains the derivative of the former. Then, we study a p…
A broad class of planar dielectric media with complex permittivity profiles that are fully invisible, for both left and right incidence sides, is introduced. Such optical media are locally isotropic, non-magnetic and belong to the recently discovered class of Kramers-Kronig media [{\it Nature Photon.} 9, 436 (2015)], i.e. the spatial profiles of the real and imaginary parts of the dielectric permittivity are related each other by a Hilbert transform. The transition from unidirectional to bidirectional invisibility, and the possibility to realize sharp reflection above a cut-off incidence angle…
An extension of the Kramers-Kronig method for treatment of polarized infrared reflectance spectra from the face of low-symmetry crystals, where directions of principal dielectric axes depend on frequency, is proposed. It is shown, how to obtain the frequency dependencies of the complex reflectivity tensor components, using three reflectance spectra measured for different directions of linear polarization of the incident wave, when reflected wave is immediately sent to the detector. The problem is formulated in a form of the system of integral equations, and effective numerical technique is fou…
We show that if the permittivity profile of a planar dielectric medium is an analytic function in the upper (lower) half complex position plane then it won't reflect radiation from the left (right), whatever the angle of incidence. Consequently, using the spatial Kramers-Kronig relations one can derive a real part of a permittivity profile from some given imaginary part (or vice versa), such that the reflection is guaranteed to be zero. This result is valid for both scalar and vector wave theories, and may have relevance for efficiently absorbing radiation, or reducing reflection from bodies.
We explore the mathematical theory to rigorously describe the response of media with linear time-varying, generally dispersive, electromagnetic constitutive parameters. We show that even when the temporal inhomogeneity takes place on a time scale comparable or shorter than the driving fields' time period, one can still define a physically meaningful time-varying dispersion. Accordingly, a generalized set of Kramers-Kronig relations is investigated to link the real and imaginary parts of the time-varying frequency-dispersive spectra characterizing the medium's constitutive response. Among other…
In THz reflection spectroscopy the complex permittivity of an opaque medium is determined on the basis of the amplitude and of the phase of the reflected wave. There is usually a problem of phase error due to misplacement of the reference sample. Such experimental error brings inconsistency between phase and amplitude invoked by the causality principle. We propose a rigorous method to solve this relevant experimental problem by using an optimization method based upon singly subtractive Kramers-Kronig relations. The applicability of the method is demonstrated for measured data on an n-type undo…
Kramers-Kronig causality in integrated photonics: The spectral tension between ultraviolet transition and mid-infrared absorption
Southern University of Science and Technology（南方科技大学）；International Quantum Academy（国际量子科学院）；Shenzhen Futian SUSTech Institute for Quantum Technology and Engineering（深圳福田南科大量子技术与工程研究院）；College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University（深圳大学物理与光电工程学院）；Institute of Advanced Photonics Technology, School of Information Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology（广东工业大学信息工程学院先进光子技术研究所）
A new computational imaging method to reconstruct the complex wave-field is reported. Due to the existence of zero frequency component, the measured signal by amplitude modulation of pupil has a spectrum similar to the one of off-axis hologram. The mathematical analogy between them is established in this paper. Based on this observation and analyticity of band-limited signal under any diffraction-limited system, an algorithm from Kramers-Kronig (KK) relations is utilized to recover the phase information only from the intensity patterns. From the sensing side, only two measurements are required…
In a recent work, S.A.R. Horsley and coworkers [Nature Photon 9, 436-439 (2015)] showed rather interestingly that planar dielectric media, for which the real and imaginary parts of the dielectric permittivity are related by spatial Kramers-Kronig (KK) relations, are one-way reflectionless, whatever the angle of incidence. Such a fascinating property, besides of extending our comprehension of the fundamental phenomenon of reflection, may offer new ways for the design of antireflection surfaces and thin materials with efficient light absorption. However, KK dielectric media are generally describ…
Kramers-Kronig (KK) relation between the dispersion and absorption responses of a signal field can be mapped from the frequency domain into the space domain via the dipole-dipole interactions between a homogeneous sample of target atoms and a control atom. This is achieved by establishing an effective two-level configuration for the three-level target atoms in the single-photon far-detuned driving regime while maintaining a high Rydberg excitation for the three-level control atom in the single-photon resonant driving regime. We find in particular that it is viable to realize a dynamically tuna…
The real part of the refractive index (RI) of aqueous solutions of human hemoglobin is computed from their absorption spectra in the wavelength range $250\,{\rm nm} - 1100\,{\rm nm}$ using the Kramers-Kronig (KK) relations and the corresponding uncertainty analysis is provided. The strong ultraviolet (UV) and infrared absorbance of the water outside this spectral range were taken into account in a previous study employing KK relations. We improve these results by including the concentration dependence of the water absorbance as well as by modeling the deep UV absorbance of hemoglobin's peptide…
We propose a model for realizing frequency-dependent spatial variations of the probe susceptibility in a cold atomic sample. It is found that the usual Kramers-Kronig (KK) relation between real and imaginary parts of the probe susceptibility in the frequency domain can be mapped into the space domain as a far detuned control field of intensity linearly varied in space is used. This non-Hermitian medium exhibits then a unidirectional reflectionless frequency band for probe photons incident from either the left or the right sample end. It is of special interest that we can tune the frequency ban…
We present the first analysis of harmonic generation data where the full potential of the generalized nonlinear Kramers-Kronig (K-K) relations and sum rules is exploited. We consider two published sets of wide spectral range experimental data of third harmonic generation susceptibility on different polymers, the polysilane (frequency range: $0.4-2.4$ $eV$) and the polythiophene (frequency range: $0.5-2.0$ $eV$). We show that, independent truncated dispersion relations connect the real and imaginary part of the moments of the third harmonic generation susceptibility $ω^{2α}χ^{(3)}(3ω; ω, ω,ω)$,…
In order to explain the positive temperature coefficient of the visible index of refraction of fused silica I develop a simple model which assumes a single ultraviolet resonance. Assuming thermal broadening and using the Kramers- Kronig relations leads to a temperature coefficient in qualitative, but not quantitative, agreement with measurement.
Removing distortions in coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) spectra due to interference with the nonresonant background (NRB) is vital for quantitative analysis. Popular computational approaches, the Kramers-Kronig relation and the maximum entropy method, have demonstrated success but may generate significant errors due to peaks that extend in any part beyond the recording window. In this work, we present a learned matrix approach to the discrete Hilbert transform that is easy to implement, fast, and dramatically improves accuracy of Raman retrieval using the Kramers-Kronig approach.
I explain a simple definition of causality in widespread use, and indicate how it links to the Kramers Kronig relations. The specification of causality in terms of temporal differential eqations then shows us the way to write down dynamical models so that their causal nature /in the sense used here/ should be obvious to all. To extend existing treatments of causality that work only in the frequency domain, I derive a reformulation of the long-standing Kramers Kronig relations applicable not only to just temporal causality, but also to spacetime "light-cone" causality based on signals carried b…
This essay is a recapitulation of an earlier Kramers-Kronig analysis of biological tissue, published in 2010, "Kramers-Kronig analysis of biological skin". The intent is to both complement and bolster the antecedent analysis by furnishing supplemental clarification on the electromagnetic model employed and provide further technical details. Biological tissue is modeled a dielectric embedded in a conductor, which necessitates using both a quotient and product subspace to form a complete topological cover space. Discerning a suitable quotient enables decisive separation of tissue's dielectric be…
Using the principle of causality as expressed in the Kramers-Kronig relations, we derive a generalized criterion for a negative refractive index that admits imperfect transparency at an observation frequency $ω$. It also allows us to relate the global properties of the loss (i.e. its frequency response) to its local behaviour at $ω$. However, causality-based criteria rely the on the group velocity, not the Poynting vector. Since the two are not equivalent, we provide some simple examples to compare the two criteria.
We establish a fundamental relationship between the averaged density of states and the extinction mean free path of wave propagating in random media. From the principle of causality and the Kramers-Kronig relations, we show that both quantities are connected by dispersion relations and are constrained by a frequency sum rule. The results are valid under very general conditions and should be helpful in the analysis of measurements of wave transport through complex systems and in the design of randomly or periodically structured materials with specific transport properties.
