Reconfigurable and Non-Hermitian Photonic Higher-Order Topological Insulators Across the Electromagnetic Spectrum
Abstract
The performer will investigate topological properties of non-Hermitian photonic higher-order topological insulators (PHOTIs) and uncover how they can be used to emulate highly non-equilibrium dynamics of topological states of matter. New classes of intermediate non-Hermitian PHOTIs, photonic topological insulators that exist in the parameter space nestled between nearly-Hermitian topologically non-trivial and topologically-trivial photonic structures, will be studied using advanced computational and analytic techniques. In particular, they will experimentally demonstrate the existence of topologically protected states that are localized in one corner, yet are most efficiently excited by a source placed in the opposite corner of the structure.Our approach is divided into two thrusts:(i)theoretical and computational modeling of a wide range of PHOTI concepts; and(ii) development, fabrication, and optical characterization of several novel material and electromagneticplatforms for implementing the PHOTIs designed as part of Thrust (i).They will explore three unique types of PHOTIs(a) nanoscale Kekule-type PHOTI based on a plasmonic topologicalcrystalline insulator,(b) Quadrupole-type and Octupole-type Photonic Insulators based on coupled cavities and on graphene surface plasmon-polaritons, and(c) non-Hermitian PHOTIs (NH-PHOTIs) exhibiting non-local excitationof their localized corner states.This program will enable experimental discoveries of relevance to both photonics and condensed-matter physics.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 06, 2021
- Source ID
- N000142112056
Entities
People
- Gennady Shvets
Organizations
- Cornell University
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy