Experimental Realization of Synthetic π-Flux Photonic Crystals

Area of Science:

• Quantum Physics
• Condensed Matter Physics
• Photonics

Background:

• Flux in quantum physics is linked to phenomena like the Aharonov-Bohm effect.
• Lattice symmetries combined with flux can create novel states of matter.

Purpose of the Study:

• To experimentally realize two-dimensional photonic crystals with synthetic π-flux patterns.
• To investigate the emergence of novel topological phases and optical effects in these engineered systems.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing confined-Mie-resonance photonic crystals to harness higher-orbital degrees of freedom.
• Fabricating two types of π-flux photonic crystals for experimental validation.

Main Results:

• Observed novel topological phases with unique optical properties.
• Demonstrated a topological edge state with 4π-period phase evolution.
• Identified two pairs of topological states exhibiting nonlocal twists and boundary localization.

Conclusions:

• Successfully characterized a photonic Möbius insulator and a momentum-space-nonsymmorphic symmetry characterized insulator.
• These findings represent the first experimental exploration of such topological phases in photonic systems.
• The study paves the way for exploring the physics of synthetic π-flux in photonic crystals.