Robust Photonic Materials with High-Order Topological Protection
Abstract
This research proposal is organized with the following three objectives:(1) PHOTI material discovery - We aim to demonstrate new PHOTI materials that have recently been theorized, and push the science of PHOTIs to dimensions even greater than 3D. (2) Breaking conventions We aim to develop a continuum theory for PHOTIs that is critically needed for long-term developments in PHOTI nanomaterials. We also aim to show how PHOTIs can be synthesized beyond periodic models, or indeed without any periodicity, and how defects like disclinations, can be leveraged beneficially.(3) Exploring new interactions and physics - We aim to explore the new physics uniquely enabled by PHOTIs, such as topologically-robust state transport, non-Abelian operations, topological braiding, protected bound states in the continuum, and multi-phase topological networks.The proposed efforts leverage our preliminary work on advanced 3D nanomanufacturing and direct laser-writing of complex waveguide arrays and photonic lattices, high-dimensional microwave networks, and space- and time-modulated nonlinear photonic crystals. In each of the experiments proposed, we will demonstrate robustness of the topological invariants and states byartificially adding disorder to the tested systems.The team will develop collaborations with the Navy Research Lab, as well as prominent PHOTI researchers in the international community, to broaden the impacts of this work. Research results will be disseminated through journal publications, conference presentations, and publicly accessible repositories.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 29, 2020
- Source ID
- N000142012325
Entities
People
- Gaurav Bahl
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign