Two-flux tunable Aharonov-Bohm caging in a photonic lattice

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates tunable Aharonov-Bohm caging in a photonic lattice with synthetic fluxes, showing how interference effects can be controlled by adjusting tunnel couplings, linking lattice topology to light trapping.

Contribution

It introduces a one-dimensional photonic lattice with controllable Aharonov-Bohm caging via synthetic fluxes and tunnel coupling adjustments, highlighting the tunability of light trapping effects.

Findings

Light trapping results from destructive interference in the lattice.

Caging effect can be tuned by changing tunnel couplings J.

Clear connection established between lattice topology and AB interference.

Abstract

We study the Aharonov-Bohm caging effect in a one-dimensional lattice of theta-shaped units defining a chain of interconnected plaquettes, each one threaded by two synthetic flux lines. In the proposed system, light trapping results from the destructive interference of waves propagating along three arms, this implies that the caging effect is tunable and it can be controlled by changing the tunnel couplings $J$. These features reflect on the diffraction pattern allowing to establish a clear connection between the lattice topology and the resulting AB interference.