High-order exceptional point based optical sensor

Exceptional points (EPs) could potentially enhance the sensitivity of an optical sensing system by orders of magnitude. Higher-order EP systems, having more complex physics, can further boost this parameter. In this paper, we investigate the response order of high-order non-Hermitian systems and provide a guideline for designing a sensor with high response order. Based on this design rule, we propose and demonstrate an optical sensor with a fourth-order response, and analyze its associated properties. The four resonant wavelengths of our optical sensor simultaneously collapse at a high-order exceptional point in the parameter space, providing a fourth root relation between the amount of wavelength splitting and the amplitude of the perturbation. A large sensitivity enhancement factor over 100, is observed when the wavelength splitting is compared with traditional single resonator-based sensors under small perturbation conditions.