The research team, led by Professors Chen Zhigang and Professor Xu Jingjun from College of Physics and TEDA Institute of Applied Physics, collaborated with Professor Hrvoje Buljan’s team from the University of Zagreb in Croatia, have published their latest research achievements in the field of topological photonics in a high starting point new journal eLight, which is under the Excellence Action Plan for China Science and Technology Journals. They have realized a new type of higher-order photonic topological insulator.
Based on the photonic lattice platform, in the Kagome lattice with special symmetry, the researchers have experimentally observed the P-orbital higher-order topological angular state and the nonlinear induced angular state rotation for the first time. They discovered that the robustness of the p-orbital topological corner states requires not only traditional generalized chiral symmetry protection but also unique orbital coupling symmetry in the p-orbital system. This pioneering work demonstrates the synergy of higher-order topology and orbital physics, as well as the dynamic control of higher-order orbital angular states by nonlinearity. It opens up a new platform for exploring topological systems with orbital degrees of freedom lays the groundwork for the development of topological vortex waveguides and topological lasers and other optical devices. The research findings, titled “Realization of Photonic P‑orbital Higher‑order Topological Insulators”, have been published online.
eLight is a top-tier international optical journal and sister publication of Light: Science & Applications（IF=20.257）. Light: Science & Applications is a leading journal under the Excellence Plan of China’s Science and Technology Journals. ELight is created by the original editorial team of Light: Science & Applications and only publishes the top and most impactful scientific research in the cross-cutting field of optics. Previously, a review for the inaugural issue of the journal titled “Highlighting Photonics: Looking into the Next Decade”, authored by Chair Professor Chen Zhigang of Nankai university and Professor Segev of theTechnion – Israel Institute of Technology, has been downloaded 14,000 times and cited over 130 times since its publication in June 2021. It was awarded the “Best Download/Citation Paper Award” of eLight in 2022.
The paper can be accessed at the following link: https://rdcu.be/c7r5a
