Spin-polarized antichiral exciton-polariton edge states

TL;DR

This paper theoretically demonstrates antichiral edge states in a honeycomb lattice of exciton-polariton micropillars, showing they propagate in the same direction with opposite spins and are protected by topological invariants.

Contribution

It introduces a novel antichiral edge state mechanism in exciton-polariton systems using TE-TM and Zeeman splitting effects, expanding topological photonics.

Findings

Edge states propagate in the same direction with opposite spins.

Edge states are protected by non-zero winding numbers.

Edge states can navigate bends without reflection.

Abstract

We consider theoretically a system of exciton-polariton micropillars arranged in a honeycomb lattice. The naturally present TE-TM splitting and an alternating Zeeman splitting, where the different sublattices experience opposite Zeeman splitting, shifts the Dirac points in energy, giving rise to antichiral behavior. In a strip geometry having zigzag edges, two pairs of edge states exist and propagate in the same direction (including the states at the opposite edges). The edge modes localized at the opposite edges have opposite spins (circular polarizations), which leads to co-propagating "+-" spin channels. The antichiral edge states are protected by non-zero winding numbers and can propagate around a 60 degree bend without being reflected. We further compare the transport properties of these edge states with chiral edge modes and propose a scheme to realize them experimentally.