Tracking valley topology with synthetic Weyl paths

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel method to visualize and track valley topology in classical systems using synthetic Weyl points in acoustic metacrystals, linking 2D valley properties with 3D topological features.

Contribution

It proposes a new approach to monitor valley topology via synthetic Weyl points, enabling better understanding of topological valley transport in classical metacrystals.

Findings

Successfully constructed Weyl points in acoustic metacrystals.

Observed open surface arcs connecting Weyl points.

Confirmed theoretical predictions with acoustic experiments.

Abstract

Inspired by the newly emergent valleytronics, great interest has been attracted to the topological valley transport in classical metacrystals. The presence of nontrivial domain-wall states is interpreted with a concept of valley Chern number, which is well defined only in the limit of small bandgap. Here, we propose a new visual angle to track the intricate valley topology in classical systems. Benefiting from the controllability of our acoustic metacrystals, we construct Weyl points in synthetic three-dimensional momentum space through introducing an extra structural parameter (rotation angle here). As such, the two-dimensional valley-projected band topology can be tracked with the strictly quantized topological charge in three-dimensional Weyl crystal, which features open surface arcs connecting the synthetic Weyl points and gapless chiral surface states along specific Weyl paths. All theoretical predictions are conclusively identified by our acoustic experiments. Our findings may promote the development of topological valley physics, which is less well-defined yet under hot debate in multiple physical disciplines.