Topological gap solitons in a 1D non-Hermitian lattice

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the formation of topological gap solitons in a non-Hermitian polariton lattice modeled after the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger system, revealing robust nonlinear phenomena and novel localized states due to non-Hermiticity and sub-lattice symmetry.

Contribution

It introduces the nonlinear response of a non-Hermitian topological lattice, showing the creation of solitons with unique properties not found in conservative systems.

Findings

Topological gap solitons form in a non-Hermitian polariton lattice.

Solitons exhibit robustness against defects due to sub-lattice symmetry.

Bulk solitons localized on a single sub-lattice resemble topological edge states.

Abstract

Nonlinear topological photonics is an emerging field aiming at extending the fascinating properties of topological states to the realm where interactions between the system constituents cannot be neglected. Interactions can indeed trigger topological phase transitions, induce symmetry protection and robustness properties for the many-body system. Moreover when coupling to the environment via drive and dissipation is also considered, novel collective phenomena are expected to emerge. Here, we report the nonlinear response of a polariton lattice implementing a non-Hermitian version of the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model. We trigger the formation of solitons in the topological gap of the band structure, and show that these solitons demonstrate robust nonlinear properties with respect to defects, because of the underlying sub-lattice symmetry. Leveraging on the system non-Hermiticity, we engineer the drive phase pattern and unveil bulk solitons that have no counterpart in conservative systems. They are localized on a single sub-lattice with a spatial profile alike a topological edge state. Our results demonstrate a tool to stabilize the nonlinear response of driven dissipative topological systems, which may constitute a powerful resource for nonlinear topological photonics.