Driven-dissipative fermionized topological phases of strongly interacting bosons

TL;DR

This paper investigates the optical response of a nonlinear bosonic system modeled after the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger topology, revealing fermionization signatures and topological edge states in a non-equilibrium steady state.

Contribution

It demonstrates fermionization signatures and topological edge modes in a driven-dissipative bosonic lattice with strong nonlinearity, a novel combination in non-equilibrium topological photonics.

Findings

Fermionization signatures appear when Kerr non-linearity exceeds losses and tunneling.

Topological edge and bulk modes can be selectively excited by tuning parameters.

Distinct optical responses characterize topologically non-trivial phases.

Abstract

We study the optical response of a one-dimensional array of strongly nonlinear optical microcavities with alternating tunnel transmissivities, mimicking the paradigmatic Su-Schriefer Heeger model. We show that the non-equilibrium steady state of the bosonic system contains clear signatures of fermionization when the intra-cavity Kerr non-linearity is stronger than both losses and inter-site tunnel coupling. Furthermore, by changing the experimentally controllable parameters detuning and driving strength, in a topologically non-trivial phase, one can selectively excite either the bulk or edge modes or both modes, revealing interesting topological properties in a non-equilibrium system.