One of the most intriguing questions in photonics, which affects condensed matter physics too, is how the nonlinearity deals with topological properties of photonic lattices. Many theoretical and experimental attempts have been done recently giving new stimuli to continue the research regarding this matter [1,2]. And we have accepted the challenge. Confirming the ability to scan the topological properties of bands and to induce topological transition by nonlinearity [3,4], we focus on the responses of topologically nontrivial nonlinear lattice. Here, the findings regarding the abilities of topologically protected zero-modes in armchair hexagonal lattice with vortex distortion of the Kekule type, to guide, couple and lase light in the presence of nonlinear effects are presented [5]. Light-intensity related nonlinearity is introduced through a local nonlinear lattice response and driving modeled by tuning the saturable nonlinear gain and linear loss. We found an efficient and steady zero-mode lasing regime by managing the lattice and driving parameters which is a promising starting point for designing new topological lasers in photonic platforms.
References:
[1] D. Smirnova, D. Leykam, Y. Chong, and Y. Kivshar, `Nonlinear topological photonics', Appl. Phys. Rev. 7, 021306 (2020).
[2] Y. Ota, K. Takata, T. Ozawa, A. Amo, Z. Jia, B. Kante, M. Notomi, Y. Arakawa, and S. Iwamoto, 'Active topological photonics', Nanophotonics 9(3): 547–567 (2020).
[3] D. Leykam, E. Smolina, A. Maluckov, S. Flach and D. A. Smirnova, ‘Probing band topology using modulational instability’, Phys. Rev. Lett. 126, 073901 (2021).
[4] A. Maluckov, E. Smolina, D. Leykam, S. Gundogdu, D. G. Angelakis, and D. A. Smirnova, ‘ Nonlinear signatures of Floquet band topology’, Phys. Rev. B 105, 115133 (2022).
[5] Milica Nedic, Goran Gligoric, Jovana Petrovic, Aleksandra Maluckov,’ Nonlinearity and lasing topological zero-mode in distorted photonic lattice’, Physics Letters A 477, 128893 (2023) .