Dynamic control of 2D non-Hermitian photonic corner skin modes in synthetic dimensions
Abstract Non-Hermitian models describe the physics of ubiquitous open systems with gain and loss. One intriguing aspect of non-Hermitian models is their inherent topology that can produce intriguing boundary phenomena like resilient higher-order topological insulators (HOTIs) and non-Hermitian skin...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Nature Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-55236-4 |
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| author | Xinyuan Zheng Mahmoud Jalali Mehrabad Jonathan Vannucci Kevin Li Avik Dutt Mohammad Hafezi Sunil Mittal Edo Waks |
| author_facet | Xinyuan Zheng Mahmoud Jalali Mehrabad Jonathan Vannucci Kevin Li Avik Dutt Mohammad Hafezi Sunil Mittal Edo Waks |
| author_sort | Xinyuan Zheng |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Non-Hermitian models describe the physics of ubiquitous open systems with gain and loss. One intriguing aspect of non-Hermitian models is their inherent topology that can produce intriguing boundary phenomena like resilient higher-order topological insulators (HOTIs) and non-Hermitian skin effects (NHSE). Recently, time-multiplexed lattices in synthetic dimensions have emerged as a versatile platform for the investigation of these effects free of geometric restrictions. Despite holding broad applications, studies of these effects have been limited to static cases so far, and full dynamical control over the non-Hermitian effects has remained elusive. Here, we demonstrate the emergence of topological non-Hermitian corner skin modes with remarkable temporal controllability and robustness in a two-dimensional photonic synthetic time lattice. Specifically, we showcase various dynamic control mechanisms for light confinement and flow, including spatial mode tapering, sequential non-Hermiticity on-off switching, dynamical corner skin mode relocation, and light steering. Moreover, we establish the corner skin mode’s robustness in the presence of intensity modulation randomness and quantitatively determine its breakdown regime. Our findings extend non-Hermitian and topological photonic effects into higher synthetic dimensions, offering remarkable flexibility and real-time control possibilities. This opens avenues for topological classification, quantum walk simulations of many-body dynamics, and robust Floquet engineering in synthetic landscapes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2f4c28bd681741d0a1836b0cead5be71 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2041-1723 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nature Communications |
| spelling | doaj-art-2f4c28bd681741d0a1836b0cead5be712025-01-05T12:36:46ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232024-12-011511710.1038/s41467-024-55236-4Dynamic control of 2D non-Hermitian photonic corner skin modes in synthetic dimensionsXinyuan Zheng0Mahmoud Jalali Mehrabad1Jonathan Vannucci2Kevin Li3Avik Dutt4Mohammad Hafezi5Sunil Mittal6Edo Waks7Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics, University of MarylandJoint Quantum Institute, University of MarylandJoint Quantum Institute, University of MarylandJoint Quantum Institute, University of MarylandDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, and Institute for Physical Science and Technology, University of MarylandJoint Quantum Institute, University of MarylandDepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Northeastern UniversityInstitute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics, University of MarylandAbstract Non-Hermitian models describe the physics of ubiquitous open systems with gain and loss. One intriguing aspect of non-Hermitian models is their inherent topology that can produce intriguing boundary phenomena like resilient higher-order topological insulators (HOTIs) and non-Hermitian skin effects (NHSE). Recently, time-multiplexed lattices in synthetic dimensions have emerged as a versatile platform for the investigation of these effects free of geometric restrictions. Despite holding broad applications, studies of these effects have been limited to static cases so far, and full dynamical control over the non-Hermitian effects has remained elusive. Here, we demonstrate the emergence of topological non-Hermitian corner skin modes with remarkable temporal controllability and robustness in a two-dimensional photonic synthetic time lattice. Specifically, we showcase various dynamic control mechanisms for light confinement and flow, including spatial mode tapering, sequential non-Hermiticity on-off switching, dynamical corner skin mode relocation, and light steering. Moreover, we establish the corner skin mode’s robustness in the presence of intensity modulation randomness and quantitatively determine its breakdown regime. Our findings extend non-Hermitian and topological photonic effects into higher synthetic dimensions, offering remarkable flexibility and real-time control possibilities. This opens avenues for topological classification, quantum walk simulations of many-body dynamics, and robust Floquet engineering in synthetic landscapes.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-55236-4 |
| spellingShingle | Xinyuan Zheng Mahmoud Jalali Mehrabad Jonathan Vannucci Kevin Li Avik Dutt Mohammad Hafezi Sunil Mittal Edo Waks Dynamic control of 2D non-Hermitian photonic corner skin modes in synthetic dimensions Nature Communications |
| title | Dynamic control of 2D non-Hermitian photonic corner skin modes in synthetic dimensions |
| title_full | Dynamic control of 2D non-Hermitian photonic corner skin modes in synthetic dimensions |
| title_fullStr | Dynamic control of 2D non-Hermitian photonic corner skin modes in synthetic dimensions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Dynamic control of 2D non-Hermitian photonic corner skin modes in synthetic dimensions |
| title_short | Dynamic control of 2D non-Hermitian photonic corner skin modes in synthetic dimensions |
| title_sort | dynamic control of 2d non hermitian photonic corner skin modes in synthetic dimensions |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-55236-4 |
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