Topological photonic crystals: a review

Area of Science:

• Photonics and Materials Science
• Condensed Matter Physics

Background:

• Topological photonic crystals emerged following the 2008 proposal of the optical analog of the quantum Hall effect.
• They utilize topological phases of matter within photonic band structures.
• This provides a novel platform for exploring topological phenomena and developing optical devices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive review of topological photonic crystals.
• To summarize recent advancements and diverse material platforms.
• To highlight the potential applications in light manipulation.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on topological photonic crystals.
• Categorization based on material platforms (all-dielectric, metallic, resonators, waveguides).
• Summary of recent progress including higher-order, non-Hermitian, and nonlinear systems.

Main Results:

• Topological photonic crystals are realized across various material systems.
• Recent progress includes higher-order, non-Hermitian, and nonlinear topological photonic crystals.
• These versatile platforms show significant potential for controlling light propagation.

Conclusions:

• Topological photonic crystals represent a rapidly developing field with broad applicability.
• The diverse platforms and recent advancements underscore their potential for future optical technologies.
• These systems offer unique capabilities for maneuvering light flow.