Optical Thouless pumping transport and nonlinear switching in a topological low-dimensional discrete nematic liquid crystal array

TL;DR

This paper explores topological light transport and nonlinear optical switching in a 1D nematic liquid crystal array modeled by the SSH topological model, demonstrating low-power edge transport and high-power nonlinear switching.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical scheme for topological Thouless pumping in a nematic liquid crystal array, combining topological transport with nonlinear optical control.

Findings

Edge-to-edge light transport at low power levels

Nonlinear defect states enable all-optical switching at higher powers

Demonstrates robustness of topological transport in a liquid crystal system

Abstract

We theoretically investigate a Thouless pumping scheme in the 1D topological Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) model for single and multiple band-gaps systems when implemented in a discrete nematic liquid crystal arrangement. For an electrically controlled SSH waveguide array, we numerically demonstrate edge-to-edge light transport at low power levels. On the other hand, at higher powers, the transport is frustrated by light-induced nonlinear defect states, giving rise to robust all-optical switching.