Hybrid topological photonic crystals

Abstract Topologically protected photonic edge states offer unprecedented robust propagation of photons that are promising for waveguiding, lasing, and quantum information processing. Here, we report on the discovery of a class of hybrid topological photonic crystals that host simultaneously quantum...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yanan Wang, Hai-Xiao Wang, Li Liang, Weiwei Zhu, Longzhen Fan, Zhi-Kang Lin, Feifei Li, Xiao Zhang, Pi-Gang Luan, Yin Poo, Jian-Hua Jiang, Guang-Yu Guo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2023-07-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-40172-6
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Summary:Abstract Topologically protected photonic edge states offer unprecedented robust propagation of photons that are promising for waveguiding, lasing, and quantum information processing. Here, we report on the discovery of a class of hybrid topological photonic crystals that host simultaneously quantum anomalous Hall and valley Hall phases in different photonic band gaps. The underlying hybrid topology manifests itself in the edge channels as the coexistence of the dual-band chiral edge states and unbalanced valley Hall edge states. We experimentally realize the hybrid topological photonic crystal, unveil its unique topological transitions, and verify its unconventional dual-band gap topological edge states using pump-probe techniques. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the dual-band photonic topological edge channels can serve as frequency-multiplexing devices that function as both beam splitters and combiners. Our study unveils hybrid topological insulators as an exotic topological state of photons as well as a promising route toward future applications in topological photonics.
ISSN:2041-1723