Topological photonics has recently been proved a robust framework for manipulating light. Active topological photonic systems, in particular, enable richer fundamental physics by employing nonlinear light-matter interactions, thereby opening a new landscape for applications such as topological lasing. Here we report an all-dielectric topological insulator laser scheme based on semiconductor cavities formed by topologically distinct Kagome photonic crystals. The proposed planar semiconductor Kagome lattice allows broadband edge states below the light line due to photonic valley hall effect in telecommunication region, which provides a new route to retrieve nontrivial photonic topology and to develop integrated topological systems for robust light generation and transport.
Valley-Hall-like second-order photonic topological insulators are designed in Kagome-lattice photonic crystals with C3v point-group symmetry. The photonic crystal consists of circular air holes in pure dielectric materials. Different from conventional valley-Hall photonic topological insulators characterized by valley Chern numbers, the proposed insulators have topological invariants described by quantized electric polarization. Topological transition can be realized by tuning the structural size and topological edge states appear at the interface between photonic crystals with different topol…
Here, the frequency degree of freedom is introduced into valley photonic crystals with dual band gaps. Based on the high-order plane wave expansion model, we derive an effective Hamiltonian which characterizes dual band gaps. Metallic valley photonic crystals are demonstrated as examples in which all four topological phases are found. At the domain walls between topologically distinct valley photonic crystals, frequency-dependent edge states are demonstrated and a broadband photonic detouring is proposed. Our findings provide the guidance for designing the frequency-dependent property of topol…
Progress on two-dimensional materials has shown that valleys, as energy extrema in a hexagonal first Brillouin zone, provides a new degree of freedom for information manipulation. Then valley Hall topological insulators supporting such-polarized edge states on boundaries were set up accordingly. In this paper, a two-dimensional valley photonic crystal composed of six tunable dielectric triangular pillars in unit cells is proposed in the photonic sense of a deformed Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) model. We reveal the vortex nature of valley states and establish the selection rules for valley polari…
An all-Si photonic structure emulating the quantum-valley-Hall effect is proposed. We show that it acts as a photonic topological insulator (PTI), and that an interface between two such PTIs can support edge states that are free from scattering. The conservation of the valley degree of freedom enables efficient in- and out-coupling of light between the free space and the photonic structure. The topological protection of the edge waves can be utilized for designing arrays of resonant time- delay photonic cavities that do not suffer from reflections and cross-talk.
The exploration of binary valley degree of freedom in topological photonic systems has inspired many intriguing optical phenomena such as photonic Hall effect, robust delay lines, and perfect out-coupling refraction. In this work, we experimentally demonstrate the tunability of light flow in a valley photonic crystal waveguide. By continuously controlling the phase difference of microwave monopolar antenna array, the flow of light can split into different directions according to the charily of phase vortex, and the splitting ratio varies smoothly from 0.9 to 0.1. Topological valley transport o…
Photonic topological insulators provide unprecedented possibilities to eliminate scattering losses and improve the efficiency of optical communication systems. Despite significant theoretical efforts, the experimental demonstration of an integrated photonic topological insulator operating in the telecommunication regime was still missing. Here, we design, fabricate and characterize a photonic-crystal-based topological structure that exhibits valley-Hall effect. We experimentally demonstrate the propagation of topologically protected edge states in a CMOS-compatible chip operating at telecommun…
In the research of topological phases of matter, valley pseudospins have been introduced into photonic systems. Here, we construct a split-ring photonic crystal (SPC) in which the spilt rings are distributed according to the Kagome model. By rotating three split rings as a whole under the condition of ensuring the existence of C3v symmetry, we obtain a traditional two-band-inversion valley topology (2IVT) driven by opening twofold Dirac degeneracy point. When three split rings are rotated as a whole without ensuring the existence of C3v symmetry, a valley-like topology driven by opening twofol…
Light manipulations such as spin-direction locking propagation, robust transport, quantum teleportation and reconfigurable electromagnetic pathways have been investigated at the boundaries of photonic systems. Recently by breaking Dirac cones in time-reversal invariant photonic crystals, valley-pseudospin coupled edge states have been employed to realize selective propagation of light. Here, without photonic boundaries, we realize the propagation of pseudospin states in three-dimensional bulk metacrystal waveguides by employing the ubiquitous valley degree of freedom. Valley-dependent pseudosp…
Rapidly developing photonics brings many interesting resonant optical phenomena, in which the Fano resonance (FR) always intrigues researchers because of its applications in optical switching and sensing. However, its sensitive dependence on environmental conditions makes it hard to implement in experiments. We in this work suggest a topologically-protected FR based on the photonic valley Hall insulators, immune to the system impurities. The topologically-protected FR is achieved by coupling the valley-dependent topological edge states (TESs) with one double-degenerate cavity. The $δ$-type pho…
Nonlinear topological photonics, which explores topics common to the fields of topological phases and nonlinear optics, is expected to open up a new paradigm in topological photonics. Here, we demonstrate second-harmonic generation (SHG) via nonlinear interaction of double topological valley-Hall kink modes in all-dielectric photonic crystals (PhCs). We first show that two topological frequency bandgaps can be created around a pair of frequencies, $ω_0$ and $2ω_0$, by gapping out the corresponding Dirac points in two-dimensional honeycomb PhCs. Valley-Hall kink modes along a kink-type domain w…
In this paper, we study valley degree of freedom in all dielectric silicon photonic graphene. Photonic band gap opening physics under inversion symmetry breaking is revisited by the viewpoint of nonzero valley Chern number. Bulk valley modes with opposite orbital angular momentum are unveiled by inspecting time-varying electric fields. Topological transition is well illustrated through photonic Dirac Hamiltonian. Valley dependent edge states and the associated valley-protected backscattering suppression around Z-shape bend waveguide have been demonstrated.
Nanocavity Confinement by Orthogonal Valley- and SSH- Topological Interfaces In Glide-Symmetric Photonic Crystal Structures
Institute of Science Tokyo（东京科学大学）；Basic Research Laboratories, NTT Inc.（NTT基础研究所）；Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Tokyo（东京大学电气电子工程系）；Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo（东京大学工业科学研究所）；Nanophotonics Center, NTT Inc.（NTT纳米光子学中心）
Inverse Design of the Topology Bandwidth Tradeoff in Valley Photonic Crystals
IIT Bombay（印度理工学院孟买分校）；Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR)（贾瓦哈拉尔·尼赫鲁高级科学研究中心）；Indian Institute of Technology Bombay（印度理工学院孟买分校）
Interlayer excitons in two dimensional semiconductor heterostructures show suppressed electron-hole overlap resulting in longer radiative lifetimes as compared to intralyer excitons. Such tightly bound interlayer excitons are relevant for important optoelectronic applications including light storage and quantum communication. Their optical accessibility is, however, limited due to their out-of-plane transition dipole moment. In this work, we design a CMOS compatible photonic integrated chip platform for enhanced near field coupling of these interlayer excitons with the whispering gallery modes…
The recent realizations of topological valley phase in photonic crystal, an analog of gapped valleytronic materials in electronic system, are limited to the valley Chern number of one. In this letter, we present a new type of valley phase that can have large valley Chern number of two or three. The valley phase transitions between the different valley Chern numbers (from one to three) are realized by changing the configuration of the unit cell. We demonstrate that these new topological phases can guide the wave propagation robustly along the domain wall of sharp bent. Our results are promising…
We investigate Rabi-like oscillations of topological valley Hall edge states by introducing two zigzag domain walls in an inversion-symmetry-breaking honeycomb photonic lattice. Such resonant oscillations are stimulated by weak periodic modulation of the lattice depth along the propagation direction that does not affect the overall symmetry and the band topology of the lattice. Oscillations are accompanied by periodic switching between edge states with the same Bloch momentum, but located at different domain walls. Switching period and efficiency are the nonmonotonic functions of the Bloch mom…
Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) devices are key elements of Photonic integrated circuits (PICs). Conventional WDM devices based on silicon waveguides and photonic crystals have limited transmittance due to high loss introduced by the strong backward scattering from defects. In addition, it is challenging to reduce the footprint of those devices. Here we theoretically demonstrate a WDM device in the telecommunication range based on all-dielectric silicon topological valley photonic crystal (VPC) structures. We tune its effective refractive index by tuning the physical parameters of the l…
Valley pseudospin, a new degree of freedom in photonic lattices, provides an intriguing way to manipulate photons and enhance the robustness of optical networks. Here we experimentally demonstrated topological waveguiding, refracting, resonating, and routing of valley-polarized photons in integrated circuits. Specifically, we show that at the domain wall between photonic crystals of different topological valley phases, there exists a topologically protected valley kink state that is backscattering-free at sharp bends and terminals. We further harnessed these valley kink states for constructing…
Topological valley photonics has emerged as a new frontier in photonics with many promising applications. Previous valley boundary transport relies on kink states at internal boundaries between two topologically distinct domains. However, recent studies have revealed a novel class of topological chiral edge states (CESs) at external boundaries of valley materials, which have remained elusive in photonics. Here, we propose and experimentally demonstrate the topological CESs in valley photonic metamaterials (VPMMs) by accurately tuning on-site edge potentials. Moreover, the VPMMs work at deep-su…
For all-optical communication and information processing, it is necessary to develop all-optical logic gates based on photonic structures that can directly perform logic operations. All-optical logic gates have been demonstrated based on conventional waveguides and interferometry, as well as photonic crystal structures. Nonetheless, any defects in those structures will introduce high scattering loss, which compromises the fidelity and contrast ratio of the information process. Based on the spin-valley locking effect that can achieve defect-immune unidirectional transmission of topological edge…
The extensive research of two-dimensional layered materials has revealed that valleys, as energy extrema in momentum space, could offer a new degree of freedom for carrying information. Based on this concept, researchers have predicted valley-Hall topological insulators which could support valley-polarized edge states at non-trivial domain walls. Recently, several kinds of photonic or sonic crystals have been proposed as classical counterparts of valley-Hall topological insulators. However, direct experimental observation of valley-polarized edge states in photonic crystals is still difficult …
We study topological states of honeycomb photonic crystals in absence of inversion symmetry using plane wave expansion and finite element methods. The breaking of inversion symmetry in honeycomb lattice leads to contrasting topological valley indices, i.e., the valley-dependent Chern numbers in momentum space. We find that the topological corner states appear for 60$^\circ$ degree corners, but absent for other corners, which can be understood as the sign flip of valley Chern number at the corner. Our results provide an experimentally feasible platform for exploring valley-dependent higher-orde…
Valley, as a degree of freedom, has been exploited to realize valley-selective Hall transport and circular dichroism in two-dimensional layered materials. On the other hand, orbital angular momentum of light with helical phase distribution has attracted great attention for its unprecedented opportunity to optical communicagtions, atom trapping, and even nontrivial topology engineering. Here, we reveal valley-contrasting orbital angular momentum in all-dielectric photonic valley crystals. Selective excitation of valley chiral bulk states is realized by sources carrying orbital angular momentum …
We demonstrate valley-dependent vortex generation in a photonic graphene. Without breaking the inversion symmetry, excitation of two equivalent valleys leads to formation of an optical vortex upon Bragg-reflection to the third valley, with its chirality determined by the valley degree of freedom. Vortex-antivortex pairs with valley-dependent topological charge flipping are also observed and corroborated by numerical simulations. Furthermore, we develop a three-band effective Hamiltonian model to describe the dynamics of the coupled valleys, and find that the commonly used two-band model is not…
Pseudo-spin and valley degrees of freedom (DOFs) engineered in photonic analogues of topological insulators (TI) provide potential approaches to optical encoding and robust signal transport. Here we observe a ballistic edge state whose spin-valley indices are locked to the direction of propagation along the interface between a valley photonic crystal and a metacrystal emulating the quantum spin Hall effect. We demonstrate the inhibition of inter-valley scattering at a Y-junction formed at the interfaces between photonic TIs carrying different spin-valley Chern numbers. These results open up th…
Topological photonics has been introduced as a powerful platform for integrated optics, since it can deal with robust light transport, and be further extended to the quantum world. Strikingly, valley-contrasting physics in topological photonic structures contributes to valley-related edge states, their unidirectional coupling, and even valley-dependent wave-division in topological junctions. Here, we design and fabricate nanophotonic topological harpoon-shaped beam splitters (HSBSs) based on $120$-deg-bending interfaces and demonstrate the first on-chip valley-dependent quantum information pro…
The discovery of photonic topological insulators (PTIs) has opened the door to fundamentally new topological states of light.Current time-reversal-invariant PTIs emulate either the quantum spin Hall (QSH) effect or the quantum valley Hall (QVH) effect in condensed-matter systems, in order to achieve topological transport of photons whose propagation is predetermined by either 'photonic pseudospin' (abbreviated as 'spin') or valley. Here we demonstrate a new class of PTIs, whose topological phase is not determined solely by spin or valley, but is controlled by the competition between their indu…
Topological valley kink states have become a significant research frontier with considerable intriguing applications such as robust on-chip communications and topological lasers. Unlike guided modes with adjustable widths in most conventional waveguides, the valley kink states are usually highly confined around the domain walls and thus lack the mode width degree of freedom (DOF), posing a serious limitation to potential device applications. Here, by adding a photonic crystal (PhC) featuring a Dirac point between two valley PhCs with opposite valley-Chern numbers, we design and experimentally …
Valley degrees of freedom, providing a novel way to increase capacity and efficiency of information processing, have become an important instrument for photonics. Experimental studies on photonic topological valley kink states at interfaces between regions with opposite valley-Chern numbers have attracted much attention, however, were restricted to zigzag-type interfaces, largely limiting their applications such as geometry-dependent topological channel intersections. Here, we experimentally demonstrate and manipulate valley kink states at generic interfaces in subwavelength substrate-integrat…
The valleys of two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) offer a new degree of freedom for information processing. To take advantage of this valley degree of freedom, on one hand, it is feasible to control valleys by utilizing different external stimuli like optical and electric fields. On the other hand, nanostructures are also used to separate the valleys by near field coupling. However, for both above methods, either required low-temperature environment or low degree of coherence properties limit their further applications. Here, we demonstrate all-dielectric photonic crystal…
We report a valley photonic crystal (VPhC) waveguide in a GaAs slab with InAs quantum dots (QDs) as an internal light source exploited for experimental characterization of the waveguide. A topological interface state formed at the interface between two topologically-distinct VPhCs is used as the waveguide mode. We demonstrate robust propagation for near-infrared light emitted from the QDs even under the presence of sharp bends as a consequence of the topological protection of the guided mode. Our work will be of importance for developing robust photonic integrated circuits with small footprint…
We predict the existence and study properties of the valley Hall edge solitons in a composite photonic graphene with a domain wall between two honeycomb lattices with broken inversion symmetry. Inversion symmetry in our system is broken due to detuning introduced into constituent sublattices of the honeycomb structure. We show that nonlinear valley Hall edge states with sufficiently high amplitude bifurcating from the linear valley Hall edge state supported by the domain wall, can split into sets of bright spots due to development of the modulational instability, and that such an instability i…
We experimentally demonstrate topological edge states arising from the valley-Hall effect in twodimensional honeycomb photonic lattices with broken inversion symmetry. We break inversion symmetry by detuning the refractive indices of the two honeycomb sublattices, giving rise to a boron nitride-like band structure. The edge states therefore exist along the domain walls between regions of opposite valley Chern numbers. We probe both the armchair and zig-zag domain walls and show that the former become gapped for any detuning, whereas the latter remain ungapped until a cutoff is reached. The val…
Synchronized rotation of unit cells in a periodic structure provides a novel design perspective for manipulation of band topology. We then design a two-dimensional version of higher-order topological insulators (HOTI), by such rotation in a triangular photonic lattice with $\mathcal{C}_3$ symmetry. This HOTI supports the hallmark zero-dimensional corner states and simultaneously the one-dimensional edge states. We also find that our photonic corner states carry chiral orbital angular momenta locked by valleys, whose wavefunctions are featured by the phase vortex (singularity) positioned at the…
Recently discovered valley photonic crystals (VPCs) mimic many of the unusual properties of two-dimensional gapped valleytronic materials such as bilayer graphene or MoS2. Of the utmost interest to optical communications is their ability to support topologically protected chiral edge (kink) states at the internal domain wall between two VPCs with spectrally overlapping bandgap zones and opposite half-integer valley-Chern indices. We experimentally demonstrate the robustness of the kink states in VPCs that support degenerate transverse-electric-like (TE) and transverse-magnetic-like (TM) topolo…
The robust spin and momentum valley locking of electrons in two-dimensional semiconductors make the valley degree of freedom of great utility for functional optoelectronic devices. Owing to the difference in optical selection rules for the different valleys, these valley electrons can be addressed optically. The electrons and excitons in these materials exhibit valley Hall effect, where the carriers from specific valleys are directed to different directions under electrical or thermal bias. Here we report the optical valley Hall effect where the light emission from the valley polarized exciton…
Valley-Hall phases, first proposed in two-dimensional (2D) materials, originate from nontrivial topologies around valleys which denote local extrema in momentum space. Since they are extended into classical systems, their designs draw inspirations from existing quantum counterparts, and their transports show similar topological protections. In contrast, it is recently established in acoustics that layer pseudospins in valley-Hall phases can give rise to special valley-Hall edge states with fundamentally different transport behaviors at the interfaces compared with various 2D materials. Their r…
We demonstrate the coexistence of pseudospin- and valley-Hall-like edge states in a photonic crystal with $C_{3v}$ symmetry, which is composed of three interlacing triangular sublattices with the same lattice constants. By tuning the geometry of the sublattices, three complete photonic band gaps with nontrivial topology can be created, one of which is due to the band inversion associated with the pseudospin degree of freedom at the $Γ$ point and the other two due to the gapping out of Dirac cones associated with the valley degree of freedom at the $K, K'$ points. The system can support tri-ban…
Plasma photonic crystals designed in this paper are composed of gas discharge tubes to control the flow of electromagnetic waves. The band structures calculated by the finite element method are consistent with the experimental results in that two distinct attenuation peaks appear in the ranges of 1 GHz to 2.5 GHz and 5 GHz to 6 GHz. Electromagnetic parameters of the plasma are extracted by the Nicolson-Ross-Weir method and effective medium theory. The measured electron density is between 1e11 cm-3 and 1e12 cm-3, which verifies the correctness of the parameter used in the simulation, and the co…
Advances of condensed matter physics in exploiting the spin degree of freedom of electrons led to the emergence of the field of spintronics, which envisions new and more efficient approaches to data transfer, computing, and storage [1-3]. These ideas have been inspiring analogous approaches in photonics, where the manipulation of an artificially engineered pseudo-spin degrees of freedom is enabled by synthetic gauge fields acting on light [4,5,6]. The ability to control these additional degrees of freedom can significantly expand the landscape of available optical responses, which may revoluti…
Recent advances in condensed matter physics have shown that the valley degree of freedom of electrons in 2D materials with hexagonal symmetry, such as graphene, h-BN, and TMDs, can be efficiently exploited, leading to the emergent field of valleytronics, which offers unique opportunities for efficient data transfer, computing and storage. The ability to couple the valley degree of freedom of electrons with light can further expand the ways one manipulate this degree of freedom, thus envisioning a new class of solid-state-photonic interfaces and devices. Besides this expansion of control of val…
Anomalous valley Hall dynamics of exciton-polaritons
East China Normal University（华东师范大学）；Institute of Science and Technology Austria（奥地利科学技术研究所）；Tsinghua University（清华大学）；Aarhus University（奥胡斯大学）；Shanxi University（山西大学）
