Coherent-perfect-absorber and laser for bound states in a continuum

It is shown that two fundamentally different phenomena, the bound states in continuum and the spectral singularity (or time-reversed spectral singularity), can occur simultaneously. This can be achieved in a rectangular core dielectric waveguide with an embedded active (or absorbing) layer. In such a system a two-dimensional bound state in a continuum is created in the plane of a waveguide cross section, and it is emitted or absorbed along the waveguide core. The idea can be used for experimental implementation of a laser or a coherent-perfect-absorber for a photonic bound state that resides in a continuous spectrum. (C) 2018 Optical Society of America