Use of transmission and reflection complex time delays to reveal scattering matrix poles and zeros: Example of the ring graph.

Abstract

We identify the poles and zeros of the scattering matrix of a simple quantum graph by means of systematic measurement and analysis of Wigner, transmission, and reflection complex time delays. We examine the ring graph because it displays both shape and Feshbach resonances, the latter of which arises from an embedded eigenstate on the real frequency axis. Our analysis provides a unified understanding of the so-called shape, Feshbach, electromagnetically induced transparency, and Fano resonances on the basis of the distribution of poles and zeros of the scattering matrix in the complex frequency plane. It also provides a first-principles understanding of sharp resonant scattering features and associated large time delay in a variety of practical devices, including photonic microring resonators, microwave ring resonators, and mesoscopic ring-shaped conductor devices. Our analysis involves use of the reflection time difference, as well as a comprehensive use of complex time delay, to analyze experimental scattering data.