Resonances associated with complex-frequency poles are ubiquitous across physics and can arise in any open system, ranging from subwavelength particles and cavities to biological structures. When two such resonances coalesce, they form exceptional points (EPs), non-Hermitian singularities known to produce unusual spectral and dynamical behavior. However, the dynamics of the response of such resonances and exceptional points to complex frequency drive remained largely unexplored. Here, we experimentally observe the temporal response of complex-frequency resonances and theoretically study this for exceptional points. We unveil a universal transient phenomenon of open cavities driven at complex frequencies: the system's initial response grows linearly, with enhanced growth at exceptional points (EPs), even though the system is passive and the excitation decays. Closed-form theory for general resonators, extended to higher-order modes, predicts efficient power transfer with $t$ and $t^2$ scaling for complex single poles and exceptional points (EPs), respectively, at all times. We demonstrate these effects in subwavelength optical scatterers and experimentally in an electrical circuit analogue, with excellent agreement, and explore configurations that capture EP-enhanced growth.
Coherent Perfect Tunneling at Exceptional Points via Directional Degeneracy
Institute of Estuarine and Coastal Research, School of Ocean Engineering and Technology, Sun Yat-Sen University / Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai)(中山大学海洋工程与技术学院河口海岸研究所/南方海洋科学与工程广东省实验室(珠海));State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Estuarine Hydraulic Technology / Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Coasts, Islands and Reefs / Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering / Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Information Technology for Deep Water Acoustics / Key Laboratory of Comprehensive Observation of Polar Environment (Sun Yat-Sen University), Ministry of Education(河口水动力技术省部共建国家重点实验室培育基地/广东省海岸岛礁工程研究中心/广东省海洋资源与海岸工程重点实验室/广东省深水声学信息技术重点实验室/教育部极地环境综合观测重点实验室(中山大学));Zhuhai Research Center, Hanjiang National Laboratory(汉江国家实验室珠海研究中心);School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University(中山大学海洋科学学院)