Observation of novel edge states in photonic graphene

TL;DR

This paper experimentally and theoretically investigates edge states in photonic graphene, discovering a novel bearded edge state near the van-Hove singularity that cannot be explained by traditional models, advancing understanding of topological photonics.

Contribution

The study reveals a new type of edge state in photonic graphene on the bearded edge, which was previously unobserved and unexplainable by conventional tight-binding theory.

Findings

Direct imaging of edge states on zig-zag and bearded edges.

Identification of a new bearded edge state near the van-Hove singularity.

Demonstration of photonic topological insulation potential.

Abstract

The intriguing properties of graphene, a two-dimensional material composed of a honeycomb lattice of carbon atoms, have attracted a great deal of interest in recent years. Specifically, the fact that electrons in graphene behave as massless relativistic particles gives rise to unconventional phenomena such as Klein tunneling, the anomalous quantum Hall effect, and strain-induced pseudo-magnetic fields. Graphene edge states play a crucial role in the understanding and use of these electronic properties. However, the coarse or impure nature of the edges hampers the ability to directly probe the edge states and their band structure. Perhaps the best example is the edge states on the bearded edge (also called the Klein edge) that have thus far never been observed - because such an edge is unstable in graphene. Here, we use the optical equivalent of graphene - a photonic honeycomb lattice - to experimentally and theoretically study edge states and their properties. We directly image the edge states on both the zig-zag and bearded edges of this photonic graphene, measure their dispersion properties, and most importantly, find a new type of edge state: one residing on the bearded edge which was unknown and cannot be explained through conventional tight-binding theory. Such a new edge state lies near the van-Hove singularity in the edge band structure and can be classified as a Tamm state lacking any surface defect. Our photonic system offers the opportunity to probe new graphene-related phenomena that are difficult or impossible to access in conventional carbon-based graphene. Edge states in graphene-type structures play the central role in achieving photonic topological insulation, in which light can propagate along the edges of photonic structures without any parasitic scattering whatsoever.