Time Reversal Invariant Topologically Insulating Circuits

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a RF photonic circuit that realizes a time reversal invariant topological band-structure, enabling the study of topological phenomena and potential quantum applications at room temperature.

Contribution

It introduces a novel RF circuit platform with controllable topological properties, including a M"{o}bius strip topology, advancing topological photonics research.

Findings

Observation of a gapped density of states consistent with a modified Hofstadter spectrum

Detection of spatially-localized bulk states and delocalized edge states

Time-resolved separation of edge excitations into spin-polarized currents

Abstract

From studies of exotic quantum many-body phenomena to applications in spintronics and quantum information processing, topological materials are poised to revolutionize the condensed matter frontier and the landscape of modern materials science. Accordingly, there is a broad effort to realize topologically non-trivial electronic and photonic materials for fundamental science as well as practical applications. In this work, we demonstrate the first simultaneous site- and time- resolved measurements of a time reversal invariant topological band-structure, which we realize in a radio frequency (RF) photonic circuit. We control band-structure topology via local permutation of a traveling wave capacitor-inductor network, increasing robustness by going beyond the tight-binding limit. We observe a gapped density of states consistent with a modified Hofstadter spectrum at a flux per plaquette of $\phi=\pi/2$. In-situ probes of the band-gaps reveal spatially-localized bulk-states and de-localized edge-states. Time-resolved measurements reveal dynamical separation of localized edge-excitations into spin-polarized currents. The RF circuit paradigm is naturally compatible with non-local coupling schemes, allowing us to implement a M\"{o}bius strip topology inaccessible in conventional systems. This room-temperature experiment illuminates the origins of topology in band-structure, and when combined with circuit quantum electrodynamics (QED) techniques, provides a direct path to topologically-ordered quantum matter.