Surface potential-driven surface states in 3D topological photonic crystals

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how surface potential in 3D topological photonic crystals can induce and control surface states, enabling wave localization and pseudomagnetic field generation, with implications for photonic surface engineering.

Contribution

It introduces a method to manipulate surface states in 3D photonic crystals via surface potential tuning, expanding the understanding of topological photonic surface phenomena.

Findings

Surface potential can induce localized surface states.

Tuning surface potential controls wave localization.

Gradual modulation creates pseudomagnetic fields.

Abstract

Surface potential in a topological matter could unprecedentedly localize the waves. However, this surface potential is yet to be exploited in topological photonic systems. Here, we demonstrate that photonic surface states can be induced and controlled by the surface potential in a dielectric double gyroid (DG) photonic crystal. The basis translation in a unit cell enables tuning of the surface potential, which in turn regulates the degree of wave localization. The gradual modulation of DG photonic crystals enables the generation of a pseudomagnetic field. Overall, this study shows the interplay between surface potential and pseudomagnetic field regarding the surface states. The physical consequences outlined herein not only widen the scope of surface states in 3D photonic crystals but also highlight the importance of surface treatments in a photonic system.