Topological properties of two-dimensional photonic square lattice without $C_4$ and $M_{x(y)}$ symmetries

TL;DR

This paper explores topological phenomena in a 2D photonic square lattice lacking certain symmetries, revealing new edge and corner states with unique properties and potential applications.

Contribution

It demonstrates the existence of non-trivial corner states in symmetry-broken photonic crystals, expanding topological physics understanding beyond symmetric systems.

Findings

Identification of non-trivial type-I corner states protected by quadrupole moments

Discovery of type-II corner states induced by long-range interactions

Properties include sub-wavelength localization and air-concentrated fields

Abstract

Rich topological phenomena, edge states and two types of corner states, are unveiled in a two-dimensional square-lattice dielectric photonic crystal without both $C_4$ and $M_{x(y)}$ symmetries. Specifically, non-trivial type-I corner states, which do not exist in systems with $C_4$ and $M_{x(y)}$ since the degeneracy, are protected by non-zero quadrupole moment, no longer quantized to but less than $0.5$. Excellent properties, e.g. sub-wavelength localization and air-concentrated field distribution, are presented. Type-II corner states, induced by long-range interactions, are easier realized due to asymmetry. This work broadens the topological physics for the symmetries-broken systems and provides potential applications.