Topological Angular Momentum and Radiative Heat Transport in Closed Orbits

TL;DR

This paper explores how topological edge states of light influence radiative heat transport in a closed cavity, revealing persistent quantum electromagnetic momentum flows and novel angular momentum phenomena.

Contribution

It demonstrates that topological edge states induce persistent electromagnetic momentum flow in thermally equilibrated cavities, revealing new topological effects in radiative heat transport.

Findings

Persistent electromagnetic momentum flow in closed orbits at zero temperature.

Electromagnetic orbital angular momentum is nontrivial due to topological edge states.

Energy circulation aligns with unidirectional edge channels near cavity walls.

Abstract

Here, we study the role of topological edge states of light in the transport of thermally generated radiation in a closed cavity at a thermodynamic equilibrium. It is shown that even in the zero temperature limit - when the field fluctuations are purely quantum mechanical - there is a persistent flow of electromagnetic momentum in the cavity in closed orbits, deeply rooted in the emergence of spatially separated unidirectional edge state channels. It is highlighted the electromagnetic orbital angular momentum of the system is nontrivial, and that the energy circulation is towards the same direction as that determined by incomplete cyclotron orbits near the cavity walls. Our findings open new inroads in topological photonics and suggest that topological states of light can determine novel paradigms in the context of radiative heat transport.