Reconfigurable chiral edge states in synthetic dimensions on an integrated photonic chip

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates reconfigurable chiral edge states on an integrated photonic chip using synthetic dimensions, enabling versatile control and simulation of topological photonic systems with potential for high-dimensional applications.

Contribution

It introduces a reconfigurable integrated photonic platform that realizes and manipulates chiral edge states in synthetic dimensions with programmable gauge potentials.

Findings

Reconfigurable chiral edge states achieved on a chip.

Versatile control over chiral behaviors demonstrated.

Potential for high-dimensional topological photonics established.

Abstract

Chiral edge state is a hallmark of topological physics, which has drawn significant attention across quantum mechanics, condensed matter and optical systems. Recently, synthetic dimensions have emerged as ideal platforms for investigating chiral edge states in multiple dimensions, overcoming the limitations of real space. In this work, we demonstrate reconfigurable chiral edge states via synthetic dimensions on an integrated photonic chip. These states are realized by coupling two frequency lattices with opposite pseudospins, which are subjected to programmable artificial gauge potential and long-range coupling within a thin-film lithium niobate microring resonator. Within this system, we are able to implement versatile strategies to observe and steer the chiral edge states, including the realization and frustration of the chiral edge states in a synthetic Hall ladder, the generation of imbalanced chiral edge currents, and the regulation of chiral behaviors as chirality, single-pseudospin enhancement, and complete suppression. This work provides a reconfigurable integrated photonic platform for simulating and steering chiral edge states in synthetic space, paying the way for the realization of high-dimensional and programmable topological photonic systems on chip.