Optically induced nonreciprocity by a plasmonic pump in semiconductor wires

Abstract

In most studies on all-optical diodes spatial asymmetry has been by necessity applied to break Lorentz reciprocity. Here we suggest a paradigm for optically induced nonreciprocity in semiconductor wires which are spatially asymmetry-free and provide a very simple and efficient platform for plasmonic devices. An azimuthal magnetic field induced by a plasmonic pump in the semiconductor wire alters the material parameters and thus results in a cross-nonlinear modulation of the plasmonic signal. Peculiarly the nonlinear wavenumber shift has opposite signs for forward and backward signals whereas Kerr or Kerr-like nonlinearity does not break Lorentz reciprocity in spatially symmetric structures. This principle may open an avenue towards highly integrated all-optical nonreciprocal devices.