Stochastic parity-time-symmetric coupler

We introduce a stochastic parity-time (PT)-symmetric coupler, which is based on dual-core waveguides with fluctuating parameters, such that the gain and the losses are exactly balanced in average. We consider different parametric regimes that correspond to the broken and unbroken PT symmetry, as well as to the exceptional point of the underlying deterministic system. We demonstrate that in all the cases the statistically averaged intensity of the field grows. This result holds for either linear or nonlinear coupler and is independent on the type of fluctuations. (C) 2014 Optical Society of America