Observation of localized modes at effective gauge field interface in synthetic photonic lattice

TL;DR

This paper predicts and experimentally demonstrates a new wave localization mechanism at interfaces of synthetic gauge fields in photonic lattices, enabling robust wave confinement and guiding.

Contribution

It introduces a generic localization mechanism at gauge field interfaces and experimentally realizes it in a controllable photonic lattice system.

Findings

Robust wave localization observed across various gauge strengths and directions

Experimental control over synthetic gauge fields demonstrated

Potential for new wave guiding applications in diverse systems

Abstract

We predict a generic mechanism of wave localization at an interface between uniform gauge fields, arising due to propagation-dependent phase accumulation similar to Aharonov-Bohm phenomenon. We realize experimentally a photonic mesh lattice with real-time control over the vector gauge field, and observe robust localization under a broad variation of gauge strength and direction, as well as structural lattice parameters. This suggests new possibilities for confining and guiding waves in diverse physical systems through the synthetic gauge fields.