  Non-Hermitian systems have recently attracted significant attention in
photonics. One of the hallmarks of these systems is the possibility of
realizing asymmetric mode switching and omnipolarizer action through the
dynamic encirclement of exceptional points (EP). Here, we offer a new
perspective on the operating principle of these devices, and we theoretically
and experimentally show that asymmetric mode switching and omni-polarizer
action can be easily realized with the same performance and limitations, using
simple configurations that emulate the physics involved in encircling EPs
without the complexity of actual encirclement schemes. The proposed concept of
'encirclement emulators' and our theoretical and experimental results may allow
a better assessment of the limitations, practical potential, and applications
of EP encirclements in non-Hermitian photonics.
