Controlled Transport Based on Multiorbital Aharonov-Bohm Photonic Caging

Area of Science:

• Condensed Matter Physics
• Quantum Optics
• Photonic Lattices

Background:

• Synthetic magnetic fields offer control over particle localization and transport in lattice structures.
• Multiorbital lattices, like the diamond lattice, exhibit complex interactions between different orbital modes (S and P).

Purpose of the Study:

• To generate effective π magnetic fluxes on a multiorbital diamond lattice.
• To experimentally observe Aharonov-Bohm caging and its relation to band transformation and flat bands.
• To demonstrate precise control of excitation dynamics for potential applications.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a z-scan method on femtosecond-laser-written photonic lattices.
• Generation of synthetic magnetic fluxes on a multiorbital diamond lattice structure.
• Analysis of band transformation and the emergence of a flat band spectrum.

Main Results:

• Experimental observation of Aharonov-Bohm caging for both S and P modes.
• Emergence of a spectrum with three degenerated flat bands.
• Demonstration of perfectly controlled, linear translation of excitation across the lattice.

Conclusions:

• Flat band spectra enable precise control over particle transport direction based on excitation site or phase.
• Aharonov-Bohm caging in synthetic magnetic fields provides a mechanism for controlling quantum dynamics.
• This work opens avenues for novel photonic devices with tailored transport properties.