$\mathcal{PT}$ phase control in circular multicore fibers

Abstract: We consider light dynamics in a circular multicore fiber with balanced gain and loss core distribution, and show that transition from unbroken to broken $\mathcal{PT}$ phases can be conveniently controlled by geometric twist of the fiber. The twist introduces Peierls' phases in the coupling constants and thus acts as an artificial gauge field. As an application, we discuss twist-induced tuning of optical transmission in a six-core fiber with one lossy core.